I used to come here as a kid and play pool with my older brother (r.i.p.). Now I bring my son. Tables are maintained, the vibe is chill and the beer is ice cold. Affordable, which in today's standards is hard to come by in any business. The neighborhood isnt the best place to be walking late at night but the owner installed bright lights and had an artist paint phenomenal murals on the exterior walls celebrating the diversity of the area as well as the game of billiards. Lots of "regulars" who appreciate the game and own their pool stick as well as a good amount of crowd from the college. They serve food here that is actually not bad. Im giving this place a 5 due to their longevity and nostalgic memories I have in this place. And because it seems like they care about the community the share with the artwork on the outside. Heard they changed ownership and now they have glow in the dark pool! read more

College Billiards located on 5303 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA I haven't been here since 2017, they had updated and renovated a few things such as the pool tables and rugs. Looks nice now. They also kept some of their old school furnitures, which I loved! It gives this place character. Estrella (I hope I spelled her name correctly) was very helpful when I asked how everything worked and with drinks that I ordered. Her service was quick and friendly. They serve beers and wine. No hard liquor. They also serve food, my friend said their food is pretty good. When you enter, you'll have to go to the register and give them your ID. After you play, you'll pay before leaving. I think it's a great system. Affordable place and fun. I think all ages are welcome. Everyone was such a vibe that night on my recent visit on 6/19/2025. Street parking is available but can be hard to find and they also have parking behind the business with limited parking. read more

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This is Ames mister! Great pool hall with an eclectic crowd. They also have weekly 9 ball tournaments. read more

College Billiards - No pin ball machines....just pool - Pool Halls Near Me - San Diego, California

pretty chill place, solid tables. feels like a mix of 80s and dive bar vibe inside. foods only good if you're also drinking. half the crowd are hipster larpers that think they're down to earth just because they play pool at a place that blue collar people go to. if that's your typa crowd this place is cool. nice workers . read more

Fun environment to visit after a concert! Multiple tables to play unless you get there too late and will have to wait for someone to clear out. Good time me and my friend had and we will visit again when in the area read more

Clean, lots of room, a dozen pool tables. $10/1hour play. Lots of patrons. Grill is great, one of the best cheeseburger I've ever had. Hubby had shrimp burrito, great! Friendly staff. Nice place to just hang out, watch the players. Good location, off El Cajon Blvd and 54th. read more

Good prices, plenty of tables, good food, and close to plenty of other fun places. The service was quick too. They even come to your table if you don't want to leave it open. read more

Nice tables! Very chill Mexican music playing . Lots of tables so always space for you to play

Has a good selection of tables, both with and without pockets. However, cushions and cloth need to be replaced on pocketed tables. Service was courteous and food was ok but there were small flies flying about the food so that kind of killed it for me. They were playing loud mariachi music, which isn't a big deal for me since I play with earphones in but the tough crowd made me feel like leaving a bit early. Some guy sat right next to my cue case after eying it so that was kind of it for me.. spidie sense tingling.. out! Also, let me clarify that I go to a lot of rough pool halls regularly and enjoy it when the tables are good and people don't bother me but there was something off about this place for me. Also, they basically didn't charge me as I think they saw that I left early so that was cool. College billiards is probably ok for some and the place has good variety of tables so it still gets 3 stars but not the place for me. read more

Best Billiard in San Diego. Service is great so is the food. The tables are really well kept. Spend too much time here!!

They advertised $3-$4 beer on tap online and they just have $5-$6 bottles of beer. Don't expect to play pool for a reasonable price either. $12 for an hour of pool. Also, when you get your pool balls, they take your ID. Bathroom looks like every gang infested ally way South of the border. Beer wasn't even cold btw, no ice. Don't expect to spend less than $20 for an hour of pool and a couple of beers. read more

Best place to enjoy the amazing games of billiards without dealing drunk ppls BS like at bars

***3.50*** Out with friends looking for a place to play pool we stumbled upon this place leaving Old Town. I was not excited about the neighborhood but the beer was cold, the french fries were hot, and the pool tables were available. Played to close. The place is a bit of a dive but draws a decent crowd for pool. read more

Came in for an evening of pool with my guy. Location is clean and non-smoking, which is a huge plus. Enter and get your balls at the bar, leave ID and pay by the hour as you leave. We played at the upstairs tables with a couple more casual couples, while the ground floor seemed to be more serious regular players. They also have a few snooker tables. Music was a good variety, everything from country to 90s hits and Marilyn Manson. Food menu available at bar, street parking is ample, not a place I'd typically frequent but fun for a night. read more

Is't a really excellent place, the only with 3 cushion tables in San Diego, excellent customer service and good prices.

I just want to tell everybody how great this place is. I've been coming here now for 55 years!! I have seen it all there. Ralph and Leann and they had a lady playing the organ there and every top pool player would have to stop by college billiards when they were in town. There was nothing like playing pool on a Saturday or Sunday listening to The Drifters play Up on the Roof. Or listen to Ralph's old pool hall stories. trying to keep from knocking mr. Johnson's dentures off the rail.....Although Willie came to play once, it was at the Billiard Den, which just happened to be up they street from College Billiards Center. it was a great place to have in someone's life..... read more

Stopped in recently for a burger and fries. The food was good, service was friendly, and the prices were reasonable. This is a place to come if you appreciate a genuine old-school dive-bar pool hall atmosphere, in a good way. The kind of place that is disappearing fast in our rapidly gentrifying world. The only thing that's maybe different is that the vibe is decidedly multi-ethnic -- the clientele consists of Latinos, Blacks, whites, and southeast Asian -- and everyone is having a good time together. And the food menu is now predominantly Mexican... although they still have the classic bar grub as well, cooked at the end of the bar. Not a bad place to kill some time, if you're into that kind of thing. read more

College Billiards - Beer menu -- current May 2022 - Pool Halls Near Me - San Diego, California

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Super chill poolhouse. Cheap drinks and cheap food. If you like playing pool or what something fun but lowkey to do at night, its a cool spot for sure. read more

I love pool and College Billiards is my favorite pool hall in San Diego. I've been to three others that just don't make the cut. One pool hall is too expensive, another is too far, and another is way too busy. I go to College Billiards a lot with my boyfriend and have never had to wait for a table. The alcohol is cheap and so is the food, which is probably microwavable food and just doesn't taste very good, but remember that you don't have to eat there. College Billiards is surrounded by great food. I uploaded photos on yelp of the food and drink prices. The place itself is pretty run down and is located in an area that people my describe as "sketchy," but if you're not looking for an upscale pool hall and can pretty much go anywhere and have fun (like me), then this place should be pretty fun for you. There are a lot of hispanic people, but there are also a variety of college students of all ethnicities that go there as well. This place is open until 2:00 a.m. and there is a juke box with a decent selection of music. If you're not picky with the atmosphere, like pool, cheap alcohol, and want to have some fun with a significant other or group of friends or what not, you should definitely consider this place. I love it! read more

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When looking at this pace from the outside it looks like a real shit hole "......I don't think the owners care, no matter how good of a player you are , the house players in this place are top notch players. DO NOT GAMBLE WITH THEM ! It is a good place where you won't offend anyone with words, they are not sensitive At this place, remember you are not in Hillcrest as in here you can say anything about anyone . Here you truly have freedom of speech. read more

Favorite pool hall in SD! It's got that dated feel and suspicion in the air something illegal is probably going down here. They keep up their tables and cues very well. Strictly unhealthy food menu and a solid bar with stiff drinks and a solid beer selection. I could come here just to drink and people watch. Impressed they have nice 3 cushion tables here. It's a great place to play pool at a cheap rate on some of the best public equipment in the area. I like all the different groups of people you get in here. It's a fun place and great atmosphere. A must try for and average billiards fan and up! Tip: Check in on Yelp on your phone and take advantage of the discount. read more

This place has reasonable prices and tons of pool tables. If you are looking for a place just to hang out and play pool, this is the spot. There is also very friendly and helpful staff, in specific, Maria who is an amazing employee there. read more

College Billiards - Beverage Menu Aug 2018 - Pool Halls Near Me - San Diego, California

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Its a lazy Sunday afternoon. Start out with brunch at Natures Express, do a little rock band and then take in the pool tables. College Billiards is out in the boonies of college area. Its well worth it. They have about 10 tables, 5 different beers on taps (cheap ones as well) and Greasy food on the line. The jukebox is what makes me kinda chuckle. Everything in this joint is older than my grandmother however the jukebox is those fancy interweb connected so you can nab any song new or old. Classy i think. They have Plasma TV's scattered all over so you can catch the game while you shot pool and drink beer. for sure ill keep coming back! read more

I used to go here a lot back in the day. They have the most pool tables out of any other place that I know or go to. They have the regular pool tables as well as the 3-ball tables. Prices here are cheap. They also have their own parking lot in the back, as well as plenty of street parking. Not to mention they have a bar! And you can bring your drinks around the tables. You can get a bucket of beer for around $20, depending on what brand you buy which is awesome. Only thing that I don't like is that it's really quiet in there, they don't automatically play music. If you want music, then you would have to pay for the jukebox. Overall, service is good and it's a nice place to chill. read more

College Billiards is a great pool hall with great tables. My favorite tables are right near the front door because they have tighter pockets. It is, like others have mentioned , in the boonies or college area. There isn't much 'action' there but I'm sure if you hang around enough the action will find you. They have a Snooker table as well as about 5 or 6 Billiard (3 cushion) tables if you're into that . My only gripes about this place is that there are no 9-ball tourneys anymore and the location. Good place to go to during the day. But going at night might be a gamble (I've heard some horror stories) read more

I have been here a few times, usually after getting a coupon from diners place mats. The place smells a little funny, and I have heard stories about less than savory people hanging around there- but I have never seen anything sketchy (I usually am there early evenings). They have some of the best onion rings I have ever tasted. They have very cheap pitchers of beer (don't go thinking fancy now- bud and the like). They have a few red vinyl booths to sit in if you don't want to shoot pool. Seriously downwardly mobile and dingy- but seriously fun way to spend time with some friends. read more

this place is a fucken joke. not only do they upcharge you to play pool but they also have control of the juke box. don't mind to put your money in the music box, it isnt gonna play your songs. 10/10 will not return read more

Loved this place! Don't let it's outside appearance fool you.. It's VERY clean and looks newly remodeled inside! Came in to play a quick game of billiards with my parents and we ended up staying for a few hours! The bartender was very friendly, and even though she barely spoke any English, she was very accommodating and tried to be as helpful as she could considering the language barrier. They have a great selection of music on their jukebox, the bar food (we had the cheese fries and a corndog) were surprisingly very flavorful, and there was free parking in the back of the pool hall. I would definitely come back again! But only during the day considering it's in a sketchy area of El Cajon Boulevard. read more

We had a great time here, it's the only place in San Diego we have been able to find that has regulation size tables. The beer is cheap, the pool tables are maintained well and the company is good. Will be back read more

Very simple place I didn't know existed. The server was super nice and cool, you could tell she enjoys hers job. We walked in and I was the only gal there. There's over a dozen tables and the prices were decent. For 4 people it was $11 I think. We stayed for an hour and had a good time. Everyone there seemed friendly, like regulars. It'd be good to come around read more

Decent beer prices, good food. However, the pool tables themselves need some work. Most of them have severely worn felt, with holes, stains, etc. Tables in general need some TLC. read more

I have been playing pool for 30+ yrs and used to go to this pool hall all the time when a different owner owned it. but since I live in El cajon its kinda far for me to come when there is another pool hall much closer to me, it has changed alot since this owner took over, he is a 3 cushion player and the pool hall reflects that. It sad that he doesn't take as good care of the 9 ft tables as he does the 3 cushion tables. Mty son and I go there when our pool hall is closed like holidays, because this pool hall used to never close even on holidays they were open. They reasonable in comparison to other pool halls. Its just not the same place to me as it used to be and the area is really sketchy which is a bummer. read more

Played in the Tuesday tournament last night. I'm in a match against the guy running the tournament, Mitch. After playing for 4 hours, standing the whole time, Mitch tells me that I MUST SIT while he shoots. I was standing a respectful 5 feet away 90 degrees to his left, not moving. I told him that I would stand farther away, if he preferred, but that I didn't want to sit. We argued and he kicked me out of the tournament. The owner did NOTHING, said NOTHING. Unless I get my $15 back AND an apology from the owner, I will NOT be going back. read more

College Billiards, new owners, remodeled. Great food, beer & wine. It's once again THE BEST POOL hall in San Diego!! 9' Gold Crowns, new Simonis 860! Aramith Super Pro balls . 9 Ball Tournament every Tues, 8pm, $15 FULL PAYBACK, race to 4, handicap. 8 ball TOURNAMENT 2nd & 3rd SUNDAYS, Noon start, BIH pro rules, race to 3 or 4, Double elim. 619-582-4550 Video monitored parking in back. There has been NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. Everyone is coming back once again to College. All of us love it. read more

This place is okay. If you go late night, it's usually smokey and get stared down by older mexican guys. The bathroom lock doesn't really work unless you mess with it a bit. I would go back but I wouldn't choose this place as a hang out spot. read more

Lots of full sized tables and good prices. The pool hall itself is also large and roomy. They serve food and alcohol. The only down thing for me was the area it was located. Lots of shady people were near the parking lot in the back. I would suggest parking on the main st out in the front. read more

This place is great. I am usually the only gringo there and they have cheap beer and pool. Five stars biatchhhh

Cheap pool, cheap drinks, decent tables, friendly employees! My only complaint is that someone kept playing mariachi type music on the juke box. It gets a little old after a while. Other than that, I love this place! :) read more

Not in the best neighborhood but it feels pretty safe in there. Usually it's just old folks playing and it's hardly packed so if you're looking for a nice quiet place to cool, this is the place. I hate their selection of music so I typically use the jukebox which can add up pretty quick. The reason for the 4 star is their beer got warm quick, didn't like that. Otherwise, service is fine, food is decent, a bit pricey though for the portions. Overall, not a bad place. read more

Have been coming to this place for years. Current owners really take of the place. Love wasting a Saturday here just playing 8 ball