The Best Pool Halls in Amsterdam

Amsterdam has a pool and billiards scene that most newcomers never discover. Walk the right-side streets off Leidseplein, cut through Oud-West on a Tuesday evening, or duck into a centuries-old canal house on the Prinsengracht, and you will find tables that attract serious league players, after-work regulars, and curious expats. This guide maps every venue worth your time, from the intimate snooker club where your daily membership comes with the table fee, to the converted church on the Overtoom with thirteen full-size tables and a projector screen showing live football.

Whether you are looking for a competitive game, a low-key night out with new colleagues, or simply a reason to leave the apartment, the best pool halls in Amsterdam have more to offer than most people realise.

Amsterdam’s pool scene is split between two types of venue: the dedicated poolhal or snooker club, where you pay an hourly table rate and the bar is secondary, and the pool bar, where the tables are an extension of a night out and the drinks are the main event. Both have their place depending on what you are after. The listings below cover both categories and are ordered by overall quality and expat-friendliness.

1. Final Touch Snooker & Pool

Best Overall

Tucked into a narrow Grachtengordel canal house four minutes from Leidseplein, Final Touch has been running for over 25 years and still holds the top spot on nearly every review platform in the city. The layout spans two floors and features five Brunswick Gold Crown 9ft pool tables and four Riley Aristocrat snooker tables, plus a dart lane, a shuffleboard, and cupboards full of board games and chess sets for when a table is occupied. Walk-ins are usually accommodated, though reservations are possible by email for groups of up to forty people.

Tables are in excellent condition, cues are well maintained, and the canal house setting gives the place character. The walls are decorated with transit map murals from cities around the world, and the bike hooks and cubbies at each table reflect the fact that much of the regular crowd cycles in directly from work or the neighborhood. The atmosphere leans toward relaxed rather than rowdy, which makes it one of the better options for expats who want to play seriously without the bar-night energy.

Final Touch operates as a private club, but daily membership is bundled into the table hire fee, so first-time visitors face no barrier to entry. A separate snooker membership is available for those who plan to train regularly or enter the in-house competition or the national KNBB league. For expats from a country with an active snooker scene, this is one of the few places in Amsterdam where regular practice is actually possible.

2. Plan B – Overtoom

Best for Groups & Sports Fans

Plan B occupies a former church on a side alley off the Overtoom. Thirteen full-size pool tables fill the main hall, the ceilings are high, the sightlines are good, and a large 160-inch LED screen on the far wall shows live sport with sound for major fixtures. Comfortable couches and chairs are scattered around the edges for players waiting their turn or companions who prefer to watch. The bar stocks a decent selection of beers and Dutch snacks, and regulars consistently describe the staff as knowledgeable about both pool and the surrounding neighborhood.

Plan B runs regular tournaments and hosts pub quizzes, making it a social venue in a way that purely functional pool halls are not. A pinball machine sits near the entrance, and the dart boards see consistent use on busier evenings. The smoking area is upstairs, and WiFi runs throughout the building. The venue operates on a walk-in basis for most visitors; group reservations for eight or more people are taken by email only, and must be made before 19:00 on the day. Tables are charged at €8.50 per hour, billed by the minute.

For expats living in Amsterdam-West or the Oud-West neighbourhood, Plan B feels like a genuine local spot. It isn’t tourist-oriented, the prices are fair, and the mix of sport, games, and a proper bar makes it genuinely useful for anyone trying to build a social life in a new city.

3. The Poolbar

Best for a Casual Night Out

Now trading as The Poolbar, this Voetboogstraat venue has undergone a significant rebrand from its earlier “Poolhole” identity. Today, it operates as a bright, lively sports bar with eight tables in three sizes, live sport on screens, dart boards, the traditional Dutch sjoelbak game, and a strong selection of board games. Beer is available in jugs and by the glass. Tables are charged by the minute rather than per hour.

The overall atmosphere is sociable and welcoming, with a crowd that mixes Dutch locals, students, and international visitors comfortable alongside each other. Staff are consistently noted for being helpful and quick to explain how the table booking system works. The Spui location puts it within easy reach of most of Centrum, and the doors open from noon daily.

Tables can get busy on Friday and Saturday evenings; when all eight are taken, the staff add you to a waitlist, and the board games keep you occupied. For expats who want a reliably enjoyable evening in the center without the more structured atmosphere of a dedicated pool club, this is one of the most accessible options on the list.

4. Poolcafé de Keu

Best Local Neighbourhood Feel

Poolcafé de Keu has been a fixture on Eerste Helmersstraat for over 40 years, making it one of the city’s oldest dedicated pool venues. The original owner went to a boxing match in America, discovered pocket billiards, brought one table back to his table tennis café, and watched the pool tables gradually take over until the venue had a new name and a new identity.

The Keu sits around the corner from the Overtoom and a short walk from Leidseplein. The crowd is Dutch-heavy and genuinely unbothered by tourists. This place doesn’t market itself to visitors. Reviewers consistently note that staff occasionally join players for a game, that the music is good and chosen by whoever is working that evening, and that the waitlist on busy nights is managed with pitchers of beer rather than a ticket system. Ajax matches on a large screen also draw the neighborhood in.

There are no reservations. Walk straight in, and if tables are free you play immediately. If all eight are occupied, the staff put you on a waitlist and a beer fills the gap. On busy Friday and Saturday evenings, a wait of up to an hour has been reported, though showing up before 21:30 usually avoids this. The beer selection includes local Amsterdam craft breweries alongside standard Dutch lagers, served in pitchers and by the glass.

5. The Waterhole

Best with Live Music

The Waterhole is not a pool hall in the traditional sense, but its three tables on a side street off Leidseplein draw a consistent crowd of players who combine the game with one of Amsterdam’s longest happy hours and live music most evenings. Table hire is €2 per game rather than an hourly rate, which keeps things informal and accessible for a spontaneous game rather than a planned session.

The venue has operated in the Leidseplein area for over 25 years and accumulated a reputation as a genuinely mixed space. The crowd on any given night skews international, which makes it a natural first port of call for newly arrived expats. Classic rock tends to dominate the music programme, with indie nights on Mondays, open jams on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and a fuller schedule on weekends.

The Waterhole isn’t the right choice if a serious pool is the priority. It is the right choice if you want an easy, unpretentious evening in the center of the city, need somewhere accessible to meet people, or are working through Amsterdam’s nightlife for the first time.

6. Poollokaal De Gracht

Best Neighbourhood Local

Poollokaal De Gracht has a longstanding following among Amsterdam’s local pool community, particularly among players who want to spend several hours at a table without the bar-night noise that characterises some of the better-known venues. The venue has been at this location since 1993, housed in a former printing press building along the Nieuwe Achtergracht canal, and its 14 pool tables, dart boards, card tables, and board games give groups enough to rotate through over a longer evening.

Players from abroad have recommended De Gracht after finding it by chance and returning throughout their stay in Amsterdam. The tables are maintained to a decent standard, and the equipment is good.

For expats living in the Weesperbuurt, Plantage, or Watergraafsmeer areas, De Gracht is the most convenient serious pool room within easy reach.

7. Mokum Pool & Darts

Best for Serious Players

Opened in mid-2024, Mokum Pool & Darts is the newest venue on this list and has established itself quickly among players who want a more refined setting than the typical Amsterdam pool bar. The venue runs 16 American pool tables, 2 English pool tables, 1 carom billiard table, five dart boards, and two shuffleboards. The space is air-conditioned and well-lit, and the overall environment is noticeably cleaner and quieter than older venues. Table rates are €15/hour before 19:00 and €19/hour after—transparent pricing with no hidden charges. An active tournament schedule runs through the season and is tracked publicly on cuescore.com.

Mokum sits in the Don Bosco neighbourhood of Amsterdam-Oost, a short walk from Amstel Station, which means it draws a more local crowd than the Centrum venues. For expats based in east Amsterdam, it is the most convenient serious pool option in the neighbourhood. For those elsewhere in the city, the journey is worthwhile if competitive play or a calm, focused session is the priority.

Practical Tips for Expats Playing Pool in Amsterdam

Membership and table fees

Several of Amsterdam’s dedicated pool and snooker venues operate as private clubs under Dutch law, which means a membership is technically required. In practice, daily membership is almost always included in the table hire fee at no extra cost, so this does not affect visitors or casual players. Final Touch is the most explicit about this structure. If you plan to play regularly at a single venue, ask about annual membership, as rates are typically much lower per visit over time.

Reservations

All venues on this list accept walk-ins. Most are first-come, first-served; Plan B operates as walk-in only for groups under eight and does not take bookings below that threshold. Final Touch accommodates reservations by phone or email for any group size. Weekend evenings at popular spots like Final Touch and The Poolbar can result in short waits. Staff will add you to a waitlist, and board games or the bar will fill the time.

Payment

Dutch venues overwhelmingly prefer PIN (debit card) payment, and some smaller venues do not accept credit cards. Cash is accepted everywhere but not always necessary. The Poolbar and Plan B both accept debit cards; smaller independent venues may vary. It is worth carrying a small amount of cash as backup.

Bringing friends who don’t play

Most venues on this list have enough seating and secondary entertainment (darts, board games, sjoelbak, bar) that non-players can spend an evening comfortably. The Waterhole and Plan B are particularly well-suited to mixed groups where pool is one activity among several.

Pool vs snooker vs billiards

In Amsterdam, “pool” typically refers to eight-ball or nine-ball on standard American-size tables. Snooker tables are larger and require separate booking at venues that offer both. Mokum offers carom billiards (three-cushion, without pockets) and has two dedicated carambole tables. Final Touch is the strongest choice for snooker specifically. Billiards Café Hermes on the Ceintuurbaan is worth knowing about as a smaller, very local option for those in De Pijp.

Quick Comparison: Amsterdam’s Best Pool Halls

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best pool hall in Amsterdam for beginners?

The Poolbar on Voetboogstraat is the most welcoming venue for players at any level. The by-the-minute billing removes time anxiety, the eight tables suit different skill levels, and the board games and sjoelbak keep you busy while you wait. The Waterhole on Korte Leidsedwarsstraat, just off Leidseplein, is another good first stop: €2 per game, no hourly clock, and a lively crowd entirely comfortable with players who are still finding their feet.

Is there anywhere to play snooker in Amsterdam?

Final Touch on the Prinsengracht is the city’s best dedicated snooker venue and has been running for over 25 years. It is the only venue on this list affiliated with the KNBB national competition structure, making it the strongest choice for regular snooker play and league entry.

Can I walk in without a reservation?

Yes, at all venues on this list. Walk-ins are the norm during weekday evenings and weekend afternoons. Fridays and Saturdays after 9 pm may mean short waits at Final Touch and The Poolbar. Plan B is strictly walk-in for groups under eight — no advance booking is offered below that threshold.

What is the average cost to play pool in Amsterdam?

Dedicated pool halls typically charge between €8 and €20 per hour per table, split among the players sharing. Plan B charges €8.50 per hour, billed by the minute. Mokum charges €15/hour before 19:00 and €19/hour after. The Poolbar bills by the minute at its own rate. The Waterhole charges €2 per game rather than per hour, which suits casual play.

Are Amsterdam pool halls expat-friendly?

Broadly yes. English is spoken at every venue on this list, staff are used to international visitors, and the city’s pool scene has always attracted a mix of locals and newcomers. Final Touch and Plan B both have regular expat regulars. The Waterhole, just off Leidseplein, is perhaps the most explicitly international venue given its position in Amsterdam’s busiest nightlife district.

Which pool halls are best for a group of eight or more?

Plan B is the strongest option for large groups, accepting reservations for eight or more by email before 19:00 with dedicated table access across the main hall. Final Touch accepts group packages by email for up to forty people. Poolcafé de Keu does not take reservations. Poollokaal De Gracht is also walk-in; larger groups should arrive early or expect a waitlist.

This article is part of Expat Republic’s ongoing guide to activities and social life in the Netherlands. For more on settling into Amsterdam, see our guides to living in the Netherlands, the best things to do in Amsterdam, and our overview of expat life in the Netherlands.