I'm just getting back into shooting pool after suffering a spinal cord injury that's left me wheelchair dependent. I went there alone the other day just to get some practice in and everyone was super friendly, helpful, and supportive. The place had enough room for me to roll around and there was a handicapped spot in the parking lot to boot. read more

I stopped by Nick's for the first time in many years. Nice mix of table types. Staff and other players were extremely friendly. I also had a new tip installed and am extremely happy with the with. It beautifully done, prices were reasonable and turnaround was fast. read more

Nick's Billiards Academy - Pool Halls Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I recently got back into pool as a hobby, and have been searching around for a pool hall to visit regularly. I play 2-3 hours a session, 3-4 times a week, and Nick's has become my absolute go-to spot. It's worth the drive up from the south side for me for the table prices alone, but the rest of the joint is great, too. What you get (as a lot of the reviews here are pretty old and outdated): There is a full bar (no longer BYOB), and snacks available to order. There is a jukebox, which can span some serious range from mariachi to hip hop to country. The tables are what you're here for, though. Tons of really nice condition Diamond bar boxes, and 7 or 8, 9-foot Diamond tables that play fast and smooth. I don't play on the smaller tables typically, and every time I have gone, a 9-foot table has been available. House cues are some of the best I've ever seen, the one I pulled from the wall to break with the other day had a brand new tip that was nicer than the one on my playing cue. You'll even find some measles balls mixed in the racks of balls, which is a nice touch if you can snag one, I haven't seen that anywhere else. The snooker table is a real treat, though I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, I've seen it get some serious use by groups of people on the weekends, and that's an awesome sight. The staff is really great, super nice, inviting, and fantastic service. The atmosphere can be boisterous at times, but I actually quite enjoy it. The crowd is on the younger side, you will have a few balls jumping off the table here and there, definitely not your dusty old pool hall with nothing but old timers filling the room. There are leagues running a lot of the time, and they host tournaments as well, though I don't have any experience with either of these. In my opinion, Nick's is second to none as far as pool halls in the area, and I have visited about 5 different halls in the last month or so. Prices, tables, atmosphere, service, I haven't found anything subpar about the place, and look forward to spending a lot more time on the tables here. read more

There's like 16 tables here. Misty 7ft diamonds but there are also 9ft Brunswick. Tables have a little bit of roll but not bad at all. Only $3/hr before 6p and then $6/hr after. This is definitely where I want to practice and chill for a good price. Staff was super cool and nice. read more

Nick's Billiards Academy - Nicks billiards - A spacious pool hall featuring several billiard tables with overhead lighting and a bar area in the background, suitable for social gatherings. - Pool Halls Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I would love a place to go play pool, but this place is sketchy AF. I'm sure I'll get laughs for this, but life goes on! Every single time I walk past this place, it looks dark, blinds almost closed, only men, and no one is wearing masks (not even the peeps in the food area). On top of that, they have a Facebook page (Pulaski Lounge) and the owner of that group has several photos of his trophy deer. That's just not my vibe! read more

Great staff! Great environment to hang drink and mingle with friends while playing pool

WOW! How could I forget to write a review on my favorite hangout spot where you can find me 4 days out of the week! I enjoy watching sports games here as I am trying to unwind from a busy. FREE WI-FI too! You get a sort of "Cheers" feeling to the place. Table time is inexpensive and even cheaper before 5. Food choices including hot dogs, chicken nuggets/tenders, sandwiches, fries, chicken dinners, nachos, etc. They also have a snooker and ping-pong-table if you don't want to do traditional table. All skill levels play here.They have great cues and tables. Plenty of seats and tables to sit and chat between your shots.The staff is friendly and make you feel at home. The music makes things so much funner while you are dancung to your favorite tune. Go there grab a bite, bring friends, bring some brew (YEP, its BYOB), shoot some stick, and maybe you will meet some new ones. read more

I love Nick's Billiards! This is such a fun place to relax and shoot some pool. Or they also have ping pong and snooker tables, which are hard to find in Chicago. The place is BYOB, which makes hanging out at Nick's an economical night out. I usually like to pick up a case of beer at the CVS across the street, and Nick's provides a bucket of ice. Nick's also has a concession stand. Their chicken sandwich is excellent, and I usually order it with french fries. Staff is friendly and accommodating, and there is plenty of parking in the lot out front. If you're looking for a great place to chill, hang out and have a fun time, visit Nick's Billiards. read more

Well maintained tables and clean , biggest issue i have is the music is way too loud even worse than a dive bar, cant hear the people around and staff don't care even after many have complained especially on league night read more

Beautifully maintained tables especially the 9's and very reasonable rentals (I was there Monday afternoon so I don't I don't know if rates are higher during peak times. Call Don the attendant/bartender he was very helpful. read more

Best Pool Hall in Chicago!!! nice tables, ice cold drinks, great atmosphere all at a great value!

What is with the other 2 reviews? This place is a hole. And not the charming hole in the wall you stumble upon once in a while kinda place. I used to come here all the time when ditching hs and shooting pool for hours on end. There used to be a "feature table" where the big dogs would gamble and do trick shots. The rest of the place was spacious but always packed with people ready to play and make some bets. Flash forward to the present. This place just let itself go. There is no "old school charm" or even any friendliness. They also recently raised their prices so shooters do not even get the same value out of it. The food is horrible and I would never dare to eat from there. It is worse than eating at a gas station, cause at least the gas station has turnover on its food. I have no idea how long some of the food has been rotating at Nicks, probably since my hs days. The tables are ok but this place which once was about 9 tables bigger, and had seen a lot more action during its heyday. Now it is sad and run down. It is a bit depressing to be there. The other patrons are cold and the service is bad. No action. No fun. Thumbs down. Dislike! read more

I might as well be one of the regulars. I live in Wicker Park so there are plenty of tables around, but none of them are anywhere near as nice as these ones... Especially the 9ft. Diamond table up front. I am here at least once a weekend. This place is BYOB and there's a 7/11 just behind it so you can walk over and get more beer if you didn't bring enough (I do that a lot.) This is an awesome place to meet OR make friends and get some solid billiards in. They even have a snooker table. not many places around can say that. No jukebox, but there is always music on and it's not so loud that you have to yell to say something. Food menu is small, but everything was Hand Picked by the owner and I will say it's all good. Last Weekend I noticed that the owner had replaced some of the house cues with new Dufferin ones which is always good. I wouldn't want to go to a pool hall and have to use an awful cue that's more beat up than the streets of Chicago are. It's Friday today and I already know where I'm going after work. See you on table 1 at NICK'S Billiards. read more

Great tables, great prices, great service. They have tournaments on some weekends and a good amount of new Diamond tables.

One of my faves, very affordable and cool quiet vibe. BYOB too so can bring your own drink of choice. 7/11 around the corner if you need a quick pick me up read more

So they just reopened a month ago. I was there just last night and was expecting the old and moldy Nick's. But this is Not the old Nick's. Everything in this place is brand spanking new. Multiple tournament size Brunswick pool tables with brand new cloth. My favorite is the Diamond table imported from Belgium. Brand new carpet and fixtures. They even clean the pool balls! A friendly guy named John runs the place. He had house music playing when I came in. I rarely review anything unless it impresses me one way or the other. If you are a pool player in the Albany, Irving Park, or Logan Square area you should check this place out. The place is top notch and rates are like half of what Gcue or Lucky Strike charge. Its also BYOB so whats not to like?! The place gets 5 stars from me based on the brand new equipment, seting, and price. The only thing this place needs is you so check it out. read more

Nick's Billiards Academy - My favorite table at Nick's. - Pool Halls Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place looks run down and neglected. It looks and feels dirty and falling apart. From the patchy carpeting to the panel walls. The tables and sticks seemed in ok condition, but tables were super close to each other. So much that, when shooting, the end of my pool stick goes past the edge of the neighbor's table. That becomes a real problem when the place gets busy, which it did this Saturday night. The price is reasonable ($10/hr for two players). Unless they clean and fix this place up anytime soon and maybe space out the tables better, I would rather look for somewhere else to play before coming here again. read more