This is a nice poor bar. We play APA 8 ball league on Tuesdays and stonewall league on Mondays. Bartenders are very nice especially Tony on Tuesday nights as he makes fun of everyone and keeps us entertained all the time. They also have pool membership where members can play between 4 to 7 pm everyday except for tournament days for no additional cost. Membership also includes discounts to drinks. You can bring food from the outside. Parking is easier to find after 6:30 pm. Pool tables are nice. They got new felts recently. Ball rolls amazingly well. Rails are soft though. If you're planning multiple rail shots, you have hit it harder. They also host some tournaments on some weekends. read more

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So, funny story. I genuinely thought Atomic was a pizza place. For weeks I kept hearing people talk about it, and I just assumed they meant Comet. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and realized there was no pizza in sight, just pool tables, dart boards, and a solid basement bar scene. It is literally in a basement, and it feels like the kind of place you would go to after being snowed in all day. If this were Chicago, it would be the perfect neighborhood bar to duck into after a winter storm. It has that cozy, slightly gritty, someone's-house-basement energy where you go to hang out, not to party. The service was fine, nothing standout, and the drinks are about what you would expect for a neighborhood bar. Not fancy, not bad, just dependable. Overall, Atomic is one of those chill spots that feels good when you want to unwind, shoot a few games of pool, and not think too hard about the world outside. read more

Good place for games a cheap drink. Quick service with plenty of drink options. Games were plentiful and lots of seating area.

My favorite dive bar to pop in and have a blast of a night with friends. Generally, super easygoing vibe. Watch out for the people who take their pool way too seriously on a random night - had a woman legitimately try to fight me 3 separate times for "being in her space" (while actively shooting pool at our table), and then claimed she worked there (she doesn't). And told us we were ridiculous for drinking and laughing while playing pool and not "respecting the game" because there are "people like her in actual leagues." It's almost like she showed up at a bar, where people drink, and also laugh while doing so. Bartenders are always chill, always the best time there. Steer clear of the Karens who wear a training glove to play pool at a basement bar though, they don't know how to have a good time. read more

Great dive bar. No nonsense, no frills. Service is straight up. Have a beer, play some billiards, chat with your friends. The sci-fi artwork is lots of fun. They have no food, so bring your own. Good energy. read more

Shocked by Security Guard's Racist and Sexist Behavior. I had a very upsetting experience at this bar because of the behavior of one of the security guards who worked on June 14th 2025 around 8pm. When I showed my passport to confirm my age, I accidentally opened to a page with an old visa. Before I could explain or show the valid page, the guard cut me off and rudely told me, "Get out of my face." He refused to listen to me or let me speak at all. When my husband came down to explain and show the correct page, the guard finally looked at it, but still blamed me and said it was my fault for not flipping to the right page. The way he treated me felt both racist and sexist -- he completely ignored me but responded only to my husband. No one should be treated this way. The guard's attitude was aggressive, disrespectful, and clearly biased. I hope the bar's management will take action, reconsider who they hire, and train staff to treat all customers -- especially women and legal immigrants -- with respect and fairness. Me and my friends will not return, I will also report to DOJ and OHR departments until I received a formal apology from this person. read more

Went here to play some pool. This is a nice pool hall in a great location. They have six pool tables to dartboards and two shuffleboards. Did not try any food there and their bar is fine but limited. For example they only had two Gins to choose from. Still, the place is clean and we had a good time. If you are into pool and in Cleveland Park, check this place out. read more

Incredible, awesome service, great clientele, and wow did I see some great billiards players! Very neighborly, amazing staff and drinks were great! Bartender was very nice! read more

Nice chill bar, fun place to go with friends. Went on a Friday night and there was around an hour wait for pool but was able to get shuffleboard no wait. Good drink prices and shuffleboard was 20$ for an hour for 4 people. Crowd was in the 28~ age range read more

Cool place to just play some billiards or just have a drink. They charge you per player rather than per table. The place does seem a bit cramped. Overall, it's not bad but I'm sure you can find better. read more

This was the first time I'd been to Atomic in like 25 years. It's held up well. Median age was mid-twenties, but staff were cool, and my friends and I enjoyed shooting a few games and drinking a few beers. read more

Great spot. Came on a Wednesday night and played for 3 hours. Drank 4 beers. Service is super friendly and customers are respectful. I loved the decor.. hard to describe but it has an awesome ambiance. Beer selection was great - I had probably the most tasty cider I've ever had (orangecicle) and a delicious Sierra Nevada IPA. Most important part - the tables are all in excellent condition with good felt and cushions. All 9 footers and there are a good amount of them.. I think 6. Spacing is more than adequate - I'm not sure I've played in a hall with spacing this good in a long time so you don't have any interaction with the surrounding tables. Finally, pricing was good.. for the 3 hours and 4 drinks, I paid about little over $50.. not bad for a major metropolitan area. This is an excellent source to get your pool fix in D.C. and will be back when in town.. totally hit the spot. A+.. easy 5 star. read more

Atomic is a great neighborhood place to hang out at. As a pool hall they are on the upper edge of average. A bit crammed. They upgraded the table tops with need felt. What they really stand out at is the atmosphere and their bar staff. One of the best environment to play with friends and chat. I see myself a regular there. read more

It is a great bar if you are a glutton for punishment and you like what I think is the most obnoxious, unfriendly and downright nasty bartender who works there on Monday and Wednesday. I recommend you spend your money elsewhere. read more

I had been in Cleveland Park about a zillion times before noticing this place. Atomic is right across the street from the Uptown, and it's located in a basement with only a modest-sized sign to mark it. Atomic is a pretty sweet lounge-type pool hall. This would be a great place to take someone on a casual, weeknight date. It's close to the red line and is laid back with a good selection of games and beers. Atomic's 1950s/science-fiction decorations remind me of that really bad movie with Brenden Fraser and Alicia Silverstone (when he's locked in a bomb shelter for 35 years or something). I would love to spend more time here, because it's just really relaxed. As far as I've seen, no creepy guys/girls trying to hook up, no dancing on bars, no one trying to do a body shot off people's chests. As far as food goes, I would suggest eating before you come here, unless you enjoy having potato chips for dinner. read more

Atomic Billiards - Pool Halls Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Dark, divey, and perfect for cheap drinks and playing games with friends. Pool tables, shuffleboard, oversized Jenga, and tons of board games. In DC, you really can't beat $3-$5 for a beer during happy hour. My husband and I have walked past Atomic Billiards at least a dozen times during evenings in Cleveland Park and decided to stop in for a couple beers and a game of shuffleboard last night. It wasn't overly crowded, and service at the bar was fast. Very laid back vibe. read more

Atomic Billiards - Divey delight - Pool Halls Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Our night was great until the last 5 mins. The bartender was great all night and our family had so much fun. Very good service. However, I was trying to record the young adults in our group taking a shot and stepped too far behind the bar. The security guy grabbed my sweater (arm) and tried pulling me out. I had one drink at the beginning of the night and that was it because I was the DD. I am completely sober and wasn't causing any trouble. That security guard had no right to put his hands on me. I didn't escalate the situation because I worried about my son and brother getting into an altercation with him. He needs to learn to respect women. I recommend investing in training for him so he knows how to appropriately handle situations. He's lucky I didn't call the cops and press charges. read more

This is a basement dive bar I walked by 100s of times before going in, always curious what was transpiring below. As it turns out, not much. The crowds are generally very chill, and the bartenders are kind and laid back as well. I dont believe they serve food, but I did see some people eating takeout from surrounding restaurants: very nice. Once you order your drink, you have plenty of entertainment options. Darts are one dollar, and it's unlimited, so go crazy for however long you can still aim straight. For me, sadly, that didn't take too long. After darts we moved on to giant jenga. No fee to play this one, and it's every bit as fun as I imagined. Prepare for the bar to erupt in a ohhhhhhhhhh once this beast topples because it is sure to make a crash. We ended our festivities there, but there were others enjoying shuffleboard, pool, and even board games that they have stacked up to high heaven. Many bonus points for Sunday happy hour. Funday indeed. read more

Prices are fair, and there is plenty to do here rather than just drink. Lots of fun for you and your friends or co-workers or if you have to drag your family somewhere.... Definitely play your heart out with the darts before the night's drinks have gone for too long or too many rounds (don't poke anyone's eye/eyes out), giant 2x4-fashioned Jenga (it's harder than it looks), shuffleboard (darned wax!) and if you have the skill - pool. Yes, I know the name has "billiards" in it, but... some people have more patience and skill than others. The point is that if you are looking for fun and a chill evening out without presumptuous people trying to impress or pretend, this is a good choice. The location is easy and low-key to access, so, you don't even have to worry too much about dealing with a lot of uncomfortable this or that as you walk from the Metro (super close - 1/2 a block away!), out of a cab or from your bike/ car. The only good or bad is the food thing - yes, there is no food for purchase. It makes sense though, with all the games. Too much to worry about! Super chill. Loved it. Will be back. read more

I love Atomic. I only recently found it a few weeks ago with some co-workers. After a long night of waiting tables in Friendship Heights, a bunch of us like to wind down by playing pool and having a few drinks here. It's a cool little place - very chill, has a funky sci-fi feel and if you're not too into pool, they also have board games for you to play. Drunk boggle is pretty awesome, I have to say. No food...well, bags of chips, if that counts. Friendly bartenders :-) Update: They now have shuffleboard!! read more

A lot smaller than I anticipated but it was not over crowded at all. The pool sticks were well kept, the tables were smooth and we got in quite a few good games! Wanted to stick around for some darts but had to head home. Overall, a chill place! read more

Atomic Billiards - Pool Halls Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good peeps meet here. It's a cozy, friendly joint. Good place to meet friends and have a low-key outing. Kinda "Cheers" like vibe at times. Lots of regulars and a mixed age crowd, and that's what's cool. It can get busy with AU students on some nights. I think the drink prices are a little high. There's no food served, except potato chips. They're very open to your bringing in outside food. In fact, they have menus from local restaurants making ordering takeout easy. If you frequent it regularly, get a membership and it'll save you some loot. Sadly, it's not known for its wine selections, but you can enjoy plenty helpings of Fireball and Jaegermeister, and standard cocktails. Barkeeps keep changing and some are friendlier that others. It's always great when they are friendly and recognize their regulars. More of that is good. There's billiards, shuffleboard, darts, and a couple video games. There's also many board games to check out. A good jukebox too! Good pool. Good music. Good times. read more

Atomic Billiards - Stu!!! - Pool Halls Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Dive bar with games and cheap drinks. This is a great place for a group of less than about 8 people. It's a place to play pool or grab some cheap beers in a fun atmosphere. They have some sort of membership program that gets you free pool and 10 percent off your bill? I haven't checked it out since I've only been there I think 5 times over the past decade. I like to come here with friends before heading out to dinner in the area. read more

Down, down, down the stairs To the cozy billiards lair Shelves of beer, so many kinds Not like Galaxy, but the price is fine And what's that tune? Some indie-pop? Pixies and Shins on ye 'ol Jukebox! If you need a drink and have time to kill Atomic Billiards should fit your bill p.s. Ben T. won't save girls from creepers at a bar read more

( I lived in this neighborhood and often frequented this establishment from April 2008 to April 2010. I've been here countless times.) Hey, look at me. I'm a fake dive bar in a fake neighborhood. I don't sell beers at dive prices, but you can come here and smell pee and pretend like you're in some trendy neighborhood in a big city. What's that, tourist? Do you feel like you're experiencing something? Maybe this reminds you of a rock & roll bar that you've seen in a motion picture show. Maybe you feel like you can come here and do coke off the bar & rent hookers. Maybe you think that coke is South America's greatest contribution to the universe and you just want to sniff those jewels until you get enough courage to drive a flaming minivan across a playground filled with soulless adolescents. Maybe you think that you're edgy because this is your bar of choice in Cleveland Park. You're too hip for Cleveland Park Bar & Grill, but you're too scared to move out of your white enclave. You've seen guns in magazines but you can't imagine owning one. It's tough to be you, I understand. That's why you've developed this coke habit and that's why you need to come to pee-filled bars in Cleveland Park. I don't judge, really, but I've been meaning to have this talk with you for some time now. Bottom line: It's not the worst place ever, but I'm pretty confident that nothing cool has ever happened here and I know that nothing cool ever will. Spend your money clone, spend it good. read more

Walk down the stairs to this basement bar and you'll see a real pool hall with 6 or 7 tables. Not some prissy place for suburban home boys on dates with their college girlfriends, but a noisy, crowded joint with pool hustlers and good players looking for chumps to fleece. There is electricity in the air at this place. A little sweaty and not for the faint of heart, but it's ALIVE with energy. Atomic Billiards is a DIVE BAR of the first order. Turn around and some crazy guy is chatting up your date, so you have to be on your game here. Atomic Billiards definitely has a fun atmosphere and is filled with young, energetic people drinking a lot in a tight space. read more

Definitely a good place to go if your looking to play pool on a weekend. Despite the small size of the place, it's packed full of tables and they seem to run in a pretty good rotation. You'll get a table without much wait. However, if your looking for a place to just to hang out and chat, it can be tough finding a spot without getting hit with a pool stick. Standing/sitting room seems to be somewhat limited. Other notes: Cheap prices, nice bartenders and a total sausage fest. If you're wondering where all the guys go on a Friday night in Cleveland Park, I've solved the mystery. read more

I came to Atomic Billiards years ago, and for some reason didn't really like it. Maybe it was that it was a small pool hall and I am terrible at pool. Regardless, I decided to meet some friends here last weekend and have a newly found appreciation for this bar. First off, they now have 2 shuffle board tables, which are far superior to pool. (Although they use the WRONG sand, its not supposed to be actual sand, on the shuffle board tables, making them slow). Second, the bottled beer selection here is great. There were at least 10 beers I hardly see anywhere else and plenty of beers that I do, but enjoy seeing available at a bar. The bartender was friendly, quick and attentive to people along the bar. He put my name on the shuffle board list and I was notified when it was my turn. The prices here are very decent, no crappy $10 rail rum and cokes. Also, they have a stellar jukebox. Being so close, this will definitely turn into a favorite for me. read more

So I'm writing this review for two reasons: 1) I have been there and I want to tell you about it; 2) I also want to go mano-a-mano with the Wayne Gretsky of Yelp who just posted the previous review, aka Rich L the gorgeous one. I know I am way out of my league here - but give me a chance. There are three pleasures this place brings me: 1) Stepping off the pavement and into the basement. Not a sad sack basement like Chadwick's where you can still see the street, I am talking darkened, neon strip lighting, greasy stairs basement. I'm fast forwarding here, but the corollary to this is when you leave - I honestly think there is no finer feeling when you're on the lash than emerging from a basement, after a few beers, into the cold harsh light of day. Sun is shining, everybody has been working, pushing society forward and I have been on one glorious magnificent multicolored bender ! And it's not over yet ! I can feel the adrenaline surge now just from thinking about it. The other aspect of the basement is that as you descend the stairs your antennae are working a bit harder than normal - what will the place be like? who will be there? is it crowded or empty? The anticipation builds within you and before you know it you are enjoying the sensation - what should be a 5 or 8 second descent down the stairs becomes a full on tactile experience. Maybe you will linger, maybe you will savor it a little bit - or maybe you will just go on in. 2) Pool. Yip this place has pool tables, and it is a fine spot to come- preferably with your pals, and play some pool. 3) Beer. It has good cheap beer, excellent service, and a killer jukebox. Or maybe the jukebox is largley crap and it is just that the people I have been with have had excellent taste. Hmmm. there could be a PhD in that one. read more

After arriving it was only fifteen minutes or so until we had a table. Somehow I was able to come thiiiiis close to winning a game but two balls held me back. Is this how guys feel? Do they always get in the way and ruin your fun? Hmmmmm...points to ponder. I have no idea what time it was when we showed up but it wasn't packed. Everyone, except Ben Part II, was pretty good about not whacking people in the head with a pool stick. The other patrons seemed pretty chill but as with any place that serves alcohol, a few can get loud. Seriously, if you're going to yell out the name of the person who is singing a song at least get it right. It was AL GREEN not MARVIN GAYE!!! The bartenders were really friendly and easygoing. They definitely add to the already chill vibe of the place and they serve cider, Strongbow in a can, so you know that's a bonus for me. It's right by the metro so I can definitely see coming back. read more

I find it difficult to write a review of a place I frequent so often and love for no good reason than it is my local watering hole. So I guess I will simply recount the reasons why I love the place: 1. Great jukebox. Good selection of the upbeat funky let's get drunk tunes (i.e. Beck's Midnight Vultures, James Brown) and depressed I want to drink myself into a coma tunes (i.e. I'm generally too depressed to remember). 2. Good beer selection. Sure they have your Bud light, Highlife, and tall boy Tecate specials, but they also have Dale's Pale Ale, Dogfish head, and Bells for the more discerning palate. 3. Shuffleboard... 'nuff said. 4. They let you bring food in. With Vace, Nam Viet, and Indique in short walking distance, a bar that will let you munch while watching the game is key. 5. Rich, one of the the bartenders, is awesome. Sure I've met him around 40 times and he doesn't ever remember my name, but he is a really nice guy, who is quick with a quip and drink. Unlike Bedrock Billiards where the bartenders seem to take it as a personal afront when you want them to get you a beer, the men and women here are always on top of their game. Like Cheers, but with more tattoos and not in Boston (thank god). 6. Connect Four... the drunkard's chess. 7. 2 person sit down table arcade game (I forget what it is, Pac Man? Asteroids? I'll update later when I remember). This is my kinda place. It could be dingier, but the tacky sparkles almost makes up for it. read more

Okay, I used to live in Korea. A lot of things there I could live without. The smell, the crowds, the beondegi (look it up on wikipedia....I rate it one star). But one thing they had there which blew my mind was the Board Game Bang (pronounced as it would be in english, but the bang is with a long "a"). These were brightly lit rooms crowded with tables where a waiter would take your board game order and show you how to play. Awesome. Add in a few drinks and it was a fun night out before the bars or after the movie. Welcome Atomic Billiards. I've been looking for something like this since I got back to the states a few years back. Its dark and basement-like which totally adds to the convivial atmosphere, you have pool tables a plenty, dart boards, one of the few shuffle board tables in the city (the only other one I remember seeing was in their sister bar, Rocket Bar), and most importantly BOARD GAMES!!!! So many bars are so much the same thing, it's nice to get something different. read more

I helped coordinate a happy hour here for 40 people and it worked out fabulously. This is the type of place I would also come back just to hang out at on my own. The people who described it as your best friend's basement/rec-room (in a good way) were right on. Firstly, Atomic Billiards is like a cozier version of Rocket Bar. I like bars that recognize what their strengths are and don't try to put out mediocre food. They let you bring anything in, which is great since Cleveland Park has good options. We ordered pizza from Vace (so good) and got wings delivered from Wingos for our event, and everyone loved it. Their party guy was really nice, made sure everything was going well, and helped clean things up. They also have happy hour specials every weeknight until 8pm, and the Friday we went they had $4 rail drinks all night. Finally, there's lots to do. Like everyone has mentioned, there are the pool tables, shuffleboard, darts, and boardgames. I particularly liked this for a big group because everyone found something they liked to do. Everyone's a fan of the jukebox and I like that they play it at levels where you can actually still talk to people. I've passed by here so many times since first coming here a few years ago--pre-smoking ban and it was all smoky inside. I'm glad that I came back and could enjoy it and breath again. read more

This place holds a special place in my heart as my introduction to the bar scene in DC once I turned 21. The decor is very similar to its sister bar, Rocket Bar, with a space age theme I guess you would call it. They have pool, shuffleboard, darts, board games, and jukebox with a pretty sweet music selection. They don't serve food but they allow you bring in food so that's cool; I would rather grab a couple slices of pizza from Vace and eat those in the bar. They also have a pretty diverse beer selection, which changes every few months. I am not a big fan of being here when its busy, as it really is just a smaller version of Rocket Bar (i.e. stupidly crowded and kinda douchey). That being said, when there it is less crowded, it is a great place to hang out and unwind. read more

Highlights: The Jukebox: One of the best in town, hands down. It's cheap, or at least it costs what a jukebox should cost, and there is plenty of genre and era diversity without trying to be everything to everyone. It is impossible to go on a two-song run of bad music here. If you don't like something, wait a minute and something good is bound to pop up. Unlike those TouchTunes abominations, where you can hear bad music for hours at a time. Games: Billiards rule the day, all of the 8-foot variety, which is good considering it's a small bar and many of the players here don't know how to hold a cue stick properly. But there is also shuffleboard, which is one of the most addictive bar games there is, and darts of course. And for people who prefer their drunken competitions sitting down, there are board games galore (Connect Four and Candyland come to mind) and an old cocktail style Ms. Pac-Man video game. Very cool. Décor: It's neat in a 50s era quasi-futurisic way. They have Elroy Jetson on the boys bathroom, and Judy Jetson on the ladies. Drinks: A nice selection of beers for a small bar. Your old reliables like Millers and Yuenglings, but also fancier ones with more descriptive names, like Dogfish Head Pale Ale. I had mixed drinks here once, (only because I was continuing from a previous bar) and really liked them. Lowlights: Size: Its just too small for the amount of people in there on the weekends. If you are actually trying to play pool, you'll have to wait on nearly every shot for someone to stumble in and out of your way. Also, the bathrooms are located behind the darts, so you have to go through a firing line to take a piss. Not ideal. Prices: The price for drinks is totally reasonable. But pool is just way too expensive. Not out of the ordinary for DC prices, but still, pool should not cost nearly that much. I think it is much cheaper during the week than it is on weekends. So basically, Atomic Billiards is really cool anytime, if you just want a place to play a casual bar game and get a few drinks on the weekend. But if you take your bar games seriously and/or want more for your money, I suggest you hit up on off nights. read more

I've visited this place several times this year. Nice tables. Friendly crowd. Free board games available behind the bar. And they let you bring in food from outside. On the downside, it is a little depressing because it is underground and dark, and pool itself is expensive. * Pros: Location, Cool people and atmosphere, Inexpensive drinks * Cons: Pool itself is expensive, Venue is small, Underground and dark read more

I'm one of the worst pool players that has ever lived and therefore I don't spend a lot of time in pool halls and while I don't like pool and will more than likely never be good at it, I do know what I like and I like Atomic Billiards. Small little dungeon spot, kind of hard to see from the street but the sign will draw you in. Once you get past the eccentric bouncer, you're good to go. Staff was very friendly, they pour strong drinks and are generally cheerful. Prices are good, pool and drinks are both affordable, free jukebox is a plus, especially because the song selection is top notch. If you don't like pool, there are also darts and various board game you can play as well. While I don't like pool and probably never will, I'd still enjoy a return visit to Atomic anytime. read more

I moved out of Cleveland Park recently, and the thing I miss most about the neighborhood is Atomic Billiards. It was the go-to hang out for myself and friends when we wanted something very local (within walking distance). On the weekends it may be a bit difficult to get a pool or shuffleboard table, but you're guaranteed a great time no matter the day of the week. The bartenders were always pleasant and speedy, and the jukebox was great. I'll always cherish the long fun nights spent at Atomic! read more

After a few late nights at this joint, I must say, I have grown to like it a little bit. Dark, musty, basement-like, slight smell of smoke, classic rock on the jukebox, some dart boards, maybe two shuffle boards, and about four pool tables. Not a bad place. It seemed to have some pretty good weekly pool deals too. Not bad and with a full bar, hey, it serves its purpose. read more

I've been here a number of times on Sundays/during the week when it's not so busy to play pool and have a few drinks. Props to Atomic for running a special where women play free on Sundays (with purchase of a drink). Great drink selection, decent quality pool tables, funky decor (check out the TV sitting in the back circa 1957), nice bartenders. Bonus points for providing baby powder to pool players. Tables are somewhat close together, but I've never had an issue getting anyone to move or waiting my turn if someone is in the middle of a shot at the next table. TVs are on behind the bar if you want to tune into a sports game. They also have darts, shuffleboard, arcade games, and board games, but this review is limited to the pool tables/bar. This is definitely a go-to spot for me when I feel like playing pool. read more