New owner, fresh new take on things. They have revamped the interior, added a stage along with TVs and Darts. There is karaoke nights and live music on certain days now. I feel like it has improved the atmosphere and made it more fun without taking away the original aesthetic. It's roomy and spacious- you will never feel shoulder to shoulder. They have revamped the lounge area with more comfortable seating. The upstairs "library" is open publicly now from what I saw. We were able to go upstairs at any time and enjoy drinks with a completely different vibe. Hosting a bday here was easy and stress free. The owner was accommodating and even offered linens to us for the tables. We brought pizza and desserts but not our drinks out of respect to the bar. Bartender was cool too! This might be my new favorite place to hang out. read more

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Detention is a great place for a game of pool and solid drinks. Came in on a Sunday right at opening. Plenty of tables to use, seating if not playing and other bar games like shuffle board and darts. They have a new stand in the corner for djs that started coming during specific days. Service is quick and efficient. read more

Detention Billiards - Bar - Pool Halls Near Me - Fresno, California

I go here only with my family and during the day. At night expect the place to be crowded! I want to like to place more but the pool sticks and tables are so worn down. Love the touch tunes and the bar but this whole place just needs an upgrade! Also try not need to go to the bathroom here, one of the grossest ones in tower and that's saying a lot. read more

The new owners have made this such a vibe. Super fun for a group or date night :))))))

Loved it..all of it. Our group of 13 had the BEST time!! They had a live band, seating was available al over with such a great vibe. We played pool for several hours, and were greeted by Preston who offered our group to go up stairs to the Library..it had a secret door (so cool). Once we were up there, they had small rooms with chairs to chill in along with a private bar with 2 mixoligist, that prepared some really great drinks. This was my first time. But I will forsure being going back and bring more friends. Great job!! read more

Very laid back billiards. The vibes and also the bouncers were cool - the one recommendation I'd make to this business is to up their choice in music. There were times where we'd only hear the pool balls and zero music. Overall, my friend and I joined two Fresno relatives whom put us in for a huge surprise. Great night! read more

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Unique pool hall in Fresno Tower District. Clientele is mixture of regulars, first-timers, and weekend partiers. Low key staff keeps the alcohol and the conversation flowing. Customers control the music on TouchTunes. read more

Detention Billiards - Pool table area. - Pool Halls Near Me - Fresno, California

Place doesn't have enough seating, poor service. They need to get real security bcuz the ones they have are very rude, didn't let us finish our game they turned the lights off on us at 12:30am when on the Apple Maps says it closes at 1:30am. They kept my id and wanted me to pay to get it back from them. read more

Wow. Tons of billiard tables, a cheap bar, low rates, and that's that. Hard to go wrong. The back was a little messy, and I wish the music was consistent - there was a jukebox, but otherwise it was just silence, and there were not enough people to keep the jukebox going. But whatever, good cheap pool and good cheap drinks. Nice bathroom handles too. read more

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If your looking for a billiards in tower this seems to be the place to go. They have plenty of tables and pole sticks available but the tables are not that nice. They look pretty old and beat up but other than that they are good the table felt is not damaged which is great but you may hit a ball of of the pocket since the netting is a little broken on some pockets. The bartenders are nice and get to everyone in a timely matter. Never felt like i was waiting to long when i needed something and the price to play isn't to bad compared to some of the other billiards in town. Not the nicest but not the worst either. For sure recommend if your looking for a billiards in the tower district area. read more

Employees suck. Do not go to this place. They also lose your cards. Plus smells like old people

It is a big, spacious place with plenty of tables for a crowd. Bar service is somewhat slow. There was only one bartender on a Saturday night. Another came on, but it made for a lengthy wait to get drinks and, ultimately, close out the tab. Otherwise, not a bad place. This is only for the floor area and bar, not the speakeasy. read more

This place has a really open chill vibe to it. The drinks were not bad and the service was great. Everyone was receptive attentive and helpful. I recommend. The only thing is that it's super quiet the first few hours of opening. I was conscious of the echo my heels made clacking around. read more

This is a cool place and it's different for the tower. I like that they have a security and they're checking the age... I like that it is clean inside side and I've always felt welcome and come and safe being a woman playing in a pool place. I went with my friend and we had a great time spent about 5 bucks for an hour or so so and they do serve drinks I have not tried those lately I did drink them last time it was just beer read more

Detention Billiards - Pool Halls Near Me - Fresno, California

Super fun and great prices on drinks. Billiards halls are just as fun as you'd imagine and Detention delivers. It's always lively in the best of ways and a great spot to bring friends and people new to Tower. Be sure to ask the bartender about "The Library" read more

Favorite place in town to play pool. However owner seems to be a bit racist. Blocked almost everything other than country from being played on the jukebox. Rather go to Sierra even if I need to wait. They don't block the good stuff from being played. read more

Horrible place bartender was drunk dirty. Stinks like piss the owners a racist and I'd never go back again. They only let u play certain music on a jukebox. Just all around dirty. They use to have good bartenders when they first opened now it's like the ewells of tower read more

Pros: Size - There is a lot of space for people. You walk into lines of pool tables and with the open bar area is in the back. Location - Right in the middle of Tower. Which means, open parking. And, nearby Richies pizza. :) Cost - $10 for pool table. $5 for fancy beer and $7 for cocktails People - Diverse crowd of young and older. Doesn't look like anyone would be "out of place" or too young for this setting. Music - They play decent music Its a fine place. It doesn't seem like it is a "mingling" place. Who you come with is who you'll probably talk to. If you're looking to mingle with others, Bobby's is down the street. read more

For reasons I do not care to share, I would give this place 0 stars, but 1 is the lowest. I do not recommend taking your business here. Please see the other reviews and consider it. read more

Great Place! I used to go and shoot at Diamond Billiards very often back in the day but they closed into the pandemic. I got to try this place out for the first time on a Sunday morning and I really enjoyed the vibe. Serious players and a host of tables. for $5 bucks an hour that's an excellent price too. Bryce was working and he was a really cool guy, super easy going and super welcoming! Never been during an evening but I'm sure the place gets pretty jumping from all the people I see when I drive by. My new favorite place to shoot. ;) read more

Fun atmosphere. 10 dollars an hr to play. On sundays it's 5 dollars a hr. Full bar. Big space. Had a blast. Affordable drinks. They have specials. Any place that plays johnny cash is awesome read more

Detention Billiards - Pool Halls Near Me - Fresno, California

I came with my friends to play pool and get a pitcher, the bartender was a women who wore glasses was way too drunk. She placed the set of balls on the counter and started scream singing with the other customers and never gave us our pitcher. We waited for 10 minutes and she completely forgot about us and was asking the other customers how much draft was.. $4 $5 or $6 dollars... we told her it's was okay we were just wanted our card back but processed to charge us because "once the pool balls are set on the table we have to charge $5 for an hour" we never touched them, but we agreed anyways. Instead of letting us give it to someone else she grabbed the pool balls and put them back. She was taking too many shots and was ignoring everyone around besides her friends that were there. 8-3-23 on Farmers Market night in Tower. I wouldn't recommend if you're trying to relax and play pool. Bartender was far gone in the drinks and wasn't paying attention to anyone. read more

Absolutely terrible service. The bartenders were super rude and the drinks terrible. We came on excited and left feeling totally ripped off. Keep walking guys. (For management, the night we visited was 7/22) read more

It's fun to be sent to Detention! really though, this is a top shelf billiard hall. I've been to 2 other billiards places in Fresno, one has just beer and the other is just Not as cool as Detention! Besides being on the raddest street in Fresno (Tower District's main drag, Olive Ave) it has so many pool tables, friendly staff, and a full bar! They also have one of those shuffle board games and a smart phone app enabled juke box. And then there's the atmosphere--pure Tower fun. I hadn't been in awhile until meeting friends there last Friday night-had a blast , played my version of very unskilled pool and played some great music. Hopefully will be back soon for more! You will not be disappointed by this place. Try it! read more

Cheapest bar in tower, games not limited. Fun environment. Very friendly open ppl and workers

This bar is really gross and the service is horrendous. Besides the owner and staff disregarding health codes and just overall being rude and snappy, the service is mediocre at best and the pool tables are in poor to OK condition. Take your business anywhere else on Olive. read more

5-star bar, no doubt about it! With 15 pool tables, a bar in the back, and an A+ theme to boot, Detention Billiards is a solid addition to the Tower District Scene. We went in and had a few of their specialty drinks along with a couple games of pool (I won all 4, in case you're curious) and it was a great time all around! I can't remember the name of the first drink I got, it was "Summer ____" and it came with muddled berries and mint and it was 100% delicious, absolutely my favorite thing on the menu. It's towards the bottom of their specials menu on one of the sides, sorry I can't be more help. ;) Other than that, they have a lot of local beers on tap, a wonderfully nice bartender and owner, and they're even working on partnering with some of the other local restaurants in tower to have food in as well. If you haven't dropped by, make sure to try them out at least once - don't let another awesome local business get run out of Tower, make Tower cool again! :) read more

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What a delightful surprise! Just walking by, I would have not given it a second glance. But our college alum was starting off our evening Tower Crawl at Detention Billiards. Once most of the group had arrived, we were escorted upstairs. It was so cool and unique! We got a little history lesson on Prohibition before entering the bar lounge. Then the intrigue elevated! The bar menu! OMGosh! I wasn't sure what I was looking at until proceeding with the fine print! What an experience! FUN adventure! Can't wait to do it again! Must have reservation! The tower has lost so many wonderful venues over the years! Minnie's Cafe, The Daily Planet, Java Cafe, White's Ice Cream Parlor, City Cafe--to mention a few. Let's not lose anymore! read more

I like this place the bartenders were pretty friendly. I feel like they could use more tables or chairs. They don't have domestic beers, and don't offer buckets or pitchers so that sucks. I don't play pool but it was nice to sit w some friends and watch the guys play pool and drink. It wasn't too packed either. read more

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So difficult to get a table. Very unorganized. Lacking servers. We were missed informed on how to get a table and they gave us the run around. Apparently there's a waiting list SOMEWHERE. Although it's packed it's not stuffy. The air circulation is nice. Lively place to hang out. Restroom? Only one stall which equals long line. Boo! read more

Detention Billiards - Lively - Pool Halls Near Me - Fresno, California

Fifteen pool tables and a shuffleboard along with a digital jukebox. An enormous ceiling fan in the middle of the ceiling keep us cool at all times. Food and drinks are available also three screen tvs . read more

Great vibe. Chill spot atmosphere. Must check out. Staff is friendly and drinks are great

Wanted to check out the local scene. Opens at 4pm. Bartender nice enough and had plenty of drafts on tap. Also a full bar. I had a great time in there and will be back. Lots of pool tables at 10 a game , not bad. Check it out! read more

Holy wow where to start... the place LOOKs clean until they serve you drinks.. found FRUIT FLIES in my drink How people give this place any rating over 1 star is beyond me. Maybe they have an alternative motive considering owners politics. I just don't recommend this place, there are so many other options in tower for GOOD drinks that DONT have flies in their drinks!! read more

Pop in and see Heidi, she makes a killer bloody mary, if you're not into cocktails the beer list has all you need, and I need a lot :) I'm a pool shooter and these tables are legit, don't bother shooting Heidi, she's rubbish. I'll be back Cheers read more

Great place but they lost my debit card. They refused to admit and and when I called my bank they had a $10 charge on my account from detention. Still have no idea what happened to my card, but I had to report it lost/stolen and then go through and change all my auto pay accounts read more

Come here with friends all the time. I've probably visited this place about 5-6 times in my life. Each time it's always a blast. Music is fun, drinks are good and priced well, and the fun environment make this a repeat winner in my books. read more

We've come here a few times - and have yet to play pool! I really like the atmosphere and fun vibe here - even for us oldies haha. First time we came by was to hear John Clifton play - they are actually a good place for live music. We liked the bar and bartenders so much, we've come back a few times. They have some regular drink specials, but I've come in when the bartender makes up her own drink recipe and it's been delicious every time. Oh, and they carry cigars! Not any selection, but when you need a cigar, they got you! Detention is such a good addition to the tower, I hope they never leave. read more

Super relaxed and casual pool hall, the bar is the cherry on top! Great service, great company, and the drinks are (in my experience) usually strong and well made. The Library upstairs is the more upscale bit, and has a different dress code and reservation system. The Detention will always be a stop while I'm in Tower for fun. read more

Came by on a Sunday night around 7:30, only half the pool tables were occupied and it stayed that way for the couple hours we were there. Pool is $5 an hour on Sundays rather than the usual $10. The food menu ranged from pizza, hot dogs, and even frito boats, reminded me of my elementary/high school days. Snacked on frito boats and a couple rounds of drinks all of which were mixed perfectly and made fresh. The music was great, again what I remember hearing in elementary and high school (90's and early 00's). Would definitely recommend this place to others to hang out for a fun and chill evening. read more

Detention Billiards - Pool Halls Near Me - Fresno, California