Photography by Aliyu Yusuf.
Whether you're planning a casual game with friends or hoping to spend the whole night at the table, Bushwick has more options than the typical pool hall. Around the neighborhood, you'll find upstairs pool tables in old-school dives, billiards tucked into cocktail lounges, and bars where the game is the main event.
Here are eight Bushwick pool table bars to know, from laid-back local favorites to larger, livelier hangouts. Pool tables and house rules can change, so check with the venue before heading out specifically to play.
Carmelo's
Spacious dive bar featuring pool tables and affordable drinks.
📍 1544 DeKalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Established in 2017
Open Daily 4 PM - 4 AM
Carmelo's is the kind of bar that can turn a quick drink into an entire evening. Its wood-paneled, throwback interior and affordable, no-fuss drinks attract groups looking for a lively neighborhood hangout rather than a polished cocktail experience. The two-level setup is a big part of the draw.
Head upstairs for the pool tables, which give the bar a social, game-night energy. It's a good choice if you want to switch between shooting pool and hanging out with friends downstairs. With multiple tables, there's more opportunity to play than at a one-table dive, although availability will depend on the crowd.
Carousel
Retro cocktail lounge with two pool tables and plenty of room to linger.
📍 36 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Established in 2023
Part cocktail bar, part retro living room, Carousel feels like a night out in someone's impossibly cool 1970s house. Expect wood paneling, plush seating, dim lighting, DJs spinning records, and a mix of people there to talk, dance, or just take in the scene.
Two pool tables add another reason to stay. They're part of the larger lounge experience rather than the bar's sole attraction, so the tables can become popular on busy nights. Carousel is especially appealing if some people in your group want to play while others would rather settle into a booth with a drink.
Abe's Pagoda Bar
Tropical-inspired bar with food, cocktails, and two pool tables in the back.
📍 108 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Established in 2019
With glowing red lanterns, eclectic vintage decorations, and a lively, slightly kitschy atmosphere, Abe's Pagoda Bar has a look all its own. The Asian-inspired bar food and tropical-leaning drinks make it as much a destination for dinner and cocktails as for a casual night out.
The pool setup is tucked toward the back, where two tables give groups another activity between rounds. It's a solid pick when you want a full evening of food, drinks, and games in one place—not simply a table to practice your break shot.
Brooklyn Billiards Bushwick
A pool-first destination with multiple tables and a bar.
📍 339 Troutman St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Bushwick location opened in 2026
If playing pool is the plan—not just a bonus—Brooklyn Billiards deserves consideration. Unlike Bushwick's many bars with a lone table in the corner, this is a dedicated billiards spot, with a more game-focused atmosphere and room for multiple groups to play.
The draw is straightforward: several pool tables and a bar in the same space. It's a useful alternative when you want to play for more than a quick game, though current rates, booking arrangements, and table conditions should be checked directly before visiting.
Lou's Athletic Club
Retro sports bar with a pool table, darts, and room to watch the game.
📍 384 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Established in 2023
Lou's Athletic Club feels like a neighborhood sports bar filtered through a vintage lens. Cozy booths, televisions, retro details, and a photo booth make it inviting even for people who aren't paying close attention to the score. It's lively without feeling like a giant sports complex.
There's one pool table, along with darts and other ways to pass the time. That makes Lou's a good all-around choice for groups with mixed interests: play a game when the table's available, then grab a booth and catch whatever's on TV.
Bootleg Bar
Old-school dive with a single pool table and jukebox.
📍 1438 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Established in 2014
Bootleg is an unpretentious beer-and-shot bar where the atmosphere matters more than a complicated drinks menu. It's dark, easygoing, and full of the familiar dive-bar touches: a jukebox, a photo booth, and a crowd that seems happy to keep things simple.
Its single pool table fits that mood. You're not coming for a billiards-club experience; you're coming to shoot a casual game while having a drink. With only one table, it makes sense to expect some competition for a turn during busier hours.
Talon Bar
Cocktails, a garden, and a pool table in the main bar.
📍 220 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Established in 2016
Talon sits somewhere between a stylish neighborhood cocktail bar and an eccentric local hangout. The interior has an eclectic, lived-in feel, and its garden offers a change of scenery when you want to step away from the bar without ending the night.
The pool table is in the main bar, so it's easy to work a game into an evening of drinks and conversation. It's a particularly good option for groups who want pool to be one part of a more relaxed night, rather than the whole agenda.
Bushwick Ice House
No-frills neighborhood bar with pool, darts, and foosball.
📍 35 Ingraham St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Bushwick Ice House is more about the basics than a carefully designed theme: inexpensive drinks, a laid-back room, televisions, and familiar bar games. It's a casual, neighborhood-oriented place suited to a low-pressure hangout.
A single pool table anchors the games offering, alongside foosball and darts. If your group wants a simple spot to play a round and hang out, the setup makes sense. Since there's only one table, it's worth checking how busy it gets before making pool the main plan.
Where should you play pool in Bushwick?
For a dive-bar atmosphere, try Carmelo's, Bootleg, or Bushwick Ice House. Carousel and Abe's Pagoda Bar are great for pairing pool with a more atmospheric night out, while Lou's and Talon give groups plenty to do beyond the table. For pool-first plans, check out Brooklyn Billiards Bushwick location.
Before you go, confirm table availability, pricing, and any sign-up or reservation rules directly with the bar—especially if you're heading out with a group.
Open bar tabs from your phone
Julep lets you open a bar tab, close out, and tip directly from your phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay — so you can spend less time waiting around and more time enjoying your night.
More in Bushwick:
More in Guides:
