A night playing at a pool table with friends or a date is time well spent — and you don’t have to look far to play in Hudson County. There are plenty of venues in Hoboken and Jersey City where guests can watch sports, enjoy good food, and sink some pool balls at the same time. Below is a list of Hoboken + Jersey City venues from neighborhood pubs to popular restaurants that have pool tables.
Photo credit: @hudsonhalljc
Abbey’s Pub | 409 Monmouth Street, Jersey City
This dive bar is just off Newark Avenue and has typical pub food — like an array of burgers, for one. It also serves up the usual pub starters, including wings, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, buffalo chicken quesadilla, and more. There is, of course, a pool table in the back for anyone looking for a spot near downtown Jersey City.
Finnegan’s Pub | 734 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
This popular uptown Irish pub offers live music (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), live NFL and Premier League matches, and good beer and food. There is a game room upstairs, where customers can play pool, darts, and skee-ball. The food selection consists mostly of comfort food such as wings, nachos, and hot sandwiches — but are nevertheless very tasty and affordable.
Hoboken Billiards | 1012 Grand Street Floor 3, Hoboken
Located on the third floor of a former industrial building in uptown Hoboken, this spot is currently Hoboken’s only pool hall and attracts players from all around North Jersey. The space has 17 total pool tables. Three of those tables are premium, 9-foot Diamond Pro-Am tables; 11 are premium Brunswick Gold Crown 4, 9-foot tables; and three are upgraded Valley Dynamo, 7-foot tables. Along with these tables, it features other games such as ping pong, simulated golf, and pinball machines. There are also pool gadgets (sticks, gloves, etc.) for sale. A food menu and complimentary drinks are also available here. Players can pay by the hour, or choose a $125-per-month membership that includes unlimited pool time. Hardcore pool lovers can also join the pool leagues and play tournaments.
Read More: A Comprehensive Guide to Hoboken + Jersey City Live Music Spots
Hudson Hall | 364 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City
This spot looks like a beer hall from the outside but is actually great for all kinds of occasions — from game-watching to gathering as a family. It features a large selection of European and domestic drafts, as well as a slightly East-European-inspired food menu. The pastrami and pretzels are two of the most popular items and pair well with a game of pool. There are large projector TVs and two pool tables in the main room — and there is also a separate space for those who want a quieter atmosphere
Louise & Jerry’s | 329 Washington Street, Hoboken
Stepping into Louise & Jerry’s is like encountering a little slice of Hoboken’s history. The bar opened when Jerry Grieco, a WWII veteran, took over an existing business in 1958, which once was a speakeasy during the Prohibition era. Jerry ran the bar until the 1970s, and after Jerry passed away, management was transferred to his wife, Louise. She didn’t allow women to play pool if men wanted to use the table at the same time, and you can actually find a complaint to a local newspaper hanging on the wall today. The bar is still run by the same family tree and has since expanded its horizons to welcome all pool players. It remains a neighborhood bar and is pet-friendly. The pool table is in the back — and, of course, everyone is welcome to use it now. There is also a dart board and jukebox.
McSwiggan’s Pub | 110 1st Street, Hoboken
This Irish bar is known among some locals for being a spot for making love connections — and it also has a pool table. It serves up burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and more. There are TVs here as well, so if you’re in search of a fun, casual spot to play some pool, watch a game, and maybe meet your next love connection, this is the place to go.
Mulligan’s Pub | 159 1st Street, Hoboken
This Irish pub has a draft beer, a small pub menu, and — you guessed it — a pool table. The pool table is located in the back of the pub and also includes a dart table and a flat-screen TV for watching the game while you play. If you’re in search of something beyond casual pool, Mulligan’s actually also has a pool-playing league. There’s also a dart league as well, and the spot boasts that it’s a great way to meet new people while also engaging in some friendly competition. To learn more about the pool league, you can click here or chat with a bartender the next time you’re at Mulligan’s.
Northern Soul | 700 1st Street, Hoboken
This downtown Hoboken spot is covered in ivy outside and has a really cool ambiance inside. Northern Soul also has a large menu, so you’ll have your pick of food and drinks while playing pool. Plus, for all the non-meat eaters out there, there’s a whole ‘herbies’ section with plant-based eats including a tofu mignon sandwich. For anyone interested in brunch items, Northern Soul serves it daily from 11AM to 4PM.
PD Billiards | 911 Montgomery Street, Jersey City
Before Hoboken Billiards opened in 2019, this was Hudson County’s only pool hall. Many players have been coming here for years and online reviews describe the atmosphere as neighborly and family-friendly. The space has 12 pool tables where players can enjoy different variations of pool games (8-ball, 9-ball, 3-ball, etc.). It hosts league matches for the American Poolplayers Association and has its own in-house team. There is a food and non-alcoholic drink menu available, though this spot is a BYOB establishment.
South House | 149 Newark Avenue, Jersey City
This Southern restaurant is not only known for its hearty dishes, delicious cocktails, and relaxed ambiance — we recommend Taco Tuesdays and boozy brunches, btw — but it’s also known for being a great recreational spot) For anyone who wants fun games and good company, the downstairs area is a rec room where you can play pool, darts, foosball, and shuffleboard. There’s also a bar there, with plenty of couches and open space to lounge around.
See More: A Guide to Montclair Bars With TVs
The Ale House | 1034 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
Located on 11th and Willow, the bar is a popular spot among Hoboken’s uptown crowd to watch sports and hang out. People love the bar games (pool, darts, shuffleboard), complimentary popcorn, and quick service. Its social media is a great spot to go for game-watching events and special drink offers. There is a large IPA selection here so you can sip and play at the same time.
The Shannon | 106 First Street, Hoboken
First opened in 1956, the Irish pub is now a mainstay of the Hoboken downtown party scene. People love the live DJ and big dance floor. The rec room is separate from the dance floor and features a large variety of games such as archery, billiards, pool, beer pong, and skee-ball. There is also an NTN Buzztime for trivia fans. Plus, there is a place to watch live sports in the bar area.
Willie McBride’s | 616 Grand Street, Hoboken
You may know this spot as the place with the free limo — and that’s accurate, but it’s also the place with a pool table and some dart boards. Willie McBride’s is owned and operated by Sean and Maura Hession, a husband and wife duo, as well as their daughters, Chloe and Dara. This family-run spot is packed full of TVs, and let’s face it, there’s nothing better than playing pool after having been driven in a limo.
