Where I can shoot pool in the Cambridge MA area?

July 26, 2007 9:43 AM

Where to shoot pool in the Cambridge, Mass area?

I'm planning a bachelor party for a friend, and looking for a place for the guys to get together and shoot pool in the Cambridge, Somerville etcetera area - anywhere near those cities by car is fine. I'd prefer not to deal with downtown Boston (aka Boston Billiards) because it'd be a long haul from where we are.

Where should we go?

posted by canine epigram to sports, hobbies, & recreation (10 comments total)

Flat Top Johnny's has always seemed to be the default option.
posted by occhiblu at 9:45 AM on July 26, 2007

Yup, Flat Top Johnny's or there's also Good Time Emporium which can be sketchy depending on the day and time, but they also have Laser Tag and video games.
posted by FreezBoy at 9:47 AM on July 26, 2007

Don't go to Jillians in Boston.
posted by jeffamaphone at 10:00 AM on July 26, 2007

If Allston counts as close, there's Big City. Not super-easy to drive to, though.

What's wrong with Jillian's, jeffamaphone? I've only been there once, but it seemed nice enough.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 10:11 AM on July 26, 2007

Sacco's Bowling alley in the heart of Davis Square, Somerville. No liquor license there, though, if thats important.
posted by enfa at 10:16 AM on July 26, 2007

While I prefer the other options mentioned, the Corner Pocket on the Waltham/Belmont line can be a good fallback option if you're driving. The CP rarely fills up and has pretty reasonable rates for its private pool room.
posted by backupjesus at 10:25 AM on July 26, 2007

Yeah, Good Times is a little sketchy these days!

I can't believe I forgot about Jonny's!

I've never actually been in Sacco's... how many tables does it have?
posted by canine epigram at 10:27 AM on July 26, 2007

Good Time Emporium, definitely, if all you want to do is play pool and drink beer. Unless you're looking for a fight, you won't find one.
posted by otio at 10:30 AM on July 26, 2007

Sacco's has about 8 tables - plus 15 candlepin lanes...and you're steps away from Redbones, the Burren, the Somerville Theatre, JP Licks, and Johnny D's.
posted by enfa at 11:06 AM on July 26, 2007

Horace Rumpole: "What's wrong with Jillian's, jeffamaphone? I've only been there once, but it seemed nice enough."

It's nice enough, and it's pretty big, and the one time I was there it was nowhere near crowded. But if you like beer, you'll be disappointed by their ridiculously thin selection. And I don't remember being impressed by their tables, either.

Flat Top Johnny's is pretty much the best place in the area for good tables (and pretty decent local microbrew). Big City is a little bigger and has a huge beer selection (and the selection downstairs at Sunset Grill is truly phenomenal) but their tables aren't nearly as nice.

There's a special place in my heart for the red tables at Flat Top Johnny's.
posted by Plutor at 12:56 PM on July 26, 2007