South First Billiards

Nice thing was the DJ, was mixing it up well so not too much hip hop and not too much classic rock stuff. The service was good. My complaint is they need to do something about the guy on the mike who mumbles stuff i couldn't understand. Later, a server told me he was announcing drink specials. HEY, i wanna know about those!! Swell job turning the place around in my opinion. more

I love the staff very friendly and cute waitresses hmmmhmmm lol more

First off, The South First street billiards DJ isnt all that great,(some cocky DJ named D-ROCK).He has no idea of what DJin is all about.He talks trash and is rude to those who requests songs.Why would anyone hire a guy like that.I dont recommend anyone going there,especially if D-ROCK is around.He`s a short asian guy with glasses.He isnt all that great to begin with and ruins the rep for South first street billiards. Cons: No parking,DJ not all that great more

Have gone here a few times with friends and enjoyed myself every time. The tables are in good shape and there are plenty of them so you don't really have to wait around for one. Fun especially if you go a little earlier in the night before it gets more crowded. Convient that waitresses come to your table and take drink and appetizer orders. There is a bar you can sit at too, but I don't recommend it: the few times i've been there there was only one bartender and they were so busy that they never got to us at all. You have much better luck and no wait if you just order from the waitresses at your pool table. There are also a couple of ping pong tables and an air hockey table. Overall a fun, clean place to grab a couple of beers and have a good time with friends. more

Just moved here from New York with my wife and if it weren't for this place, i'd be pining to move back. This place is not quite as nice as the famed Amsterdam Billiards in Manhattan. But then again, Amsterdam Billiards is considered the best upscale billiards club in the US bar none. Still, I like this place. The billiards tables are in great condition for serious players, nice simonis, etc., but the atmosphere is thankfully not teeming with nerdy hustlers or barflys. It has a nice upscale feel with the super high ceilings and the brick walls. Of course, it could be more upscale with a few more touches like lounge couches. Service is great and I really enjoy the mixed crowd. Anyway, glad to know I didn't leave ALL the good stuff back in New York. At least among all the wannabe upscale lounges for the nouveau riche and the plastic disneyland called "santana row" for sleek geeks, there's a place I can shoot stick with my colleagues at the end of the day that feels just right. Pros: Upscale place with nice tables and great bar Cons: not in NY. more

Dropped by here for a company christmas party this weekend. When i first heard we were having it there i thought, well, guess our party budget was cut...but then i walked in and, bam! It was different than the run down place i was used to seeing a few years back. In a word: impressive. Pool tables, lots of them, were all refurbished with new red felt that glowed nicely at night. there was a stage where i figure they host live music. there was this massive 30 foot HD projection screen showing UFC, and the buffet set up was spectacular. I had to do a double take and wonder if i accidentally walked into the Fairmont! The catered food was real good. Definitely not what i expected from a pool hall. They definitely upscaled this place from the last time i was here. The best part was no pimple head teens running around and I was able to order up my greygoose redbull because IT'S OVER 21 with a FULL BAR!! Other nice things was the DJ, was mixing it up well so not too much hip hop and not too much classic rock stuff. The service was good. My only complaint is they need to do something about the guy on the mike who mumbles stuff i couldn't understand. Later, a server told me he was announcing drink specials. HEY, i wanna know about those!! Swell job turning the place around in my opinion. Pros: full bar and catered buffet!! love the stage too Cons: guy on mike mumbles drink specials. speak clearly or dont speak at all more

I LOVE this place. My girlfriends and I have been going for the past few months after my brother took me. It's a good alternative to the boring and EXPENSIVE meat markets around town and i can actually talk to my friends without some guy breathing down our necks every minute. This place is real and the people are cool. I've never seen drama and everyone just seems to chill. Love the art work, but some were taken down. Where'd they go??? Servers are sweet, bartenders are nice and make good drinks, and the dj is good and plays a nice mix of songs (also kinda cute, but shy). Food is so-so, except the nachos. I've never seen a menu so i don't know what else they serve except nachos and hot wings. But we always have good service so no complaints there. I do have two complaints: drink specials and ping pong. Some ponytail guy garbles the specials over the speakers, but you can't always hear what it is and how much. Then you only get a few minutes to order them. They should post the special and make it last longer cuz i hate missing kamikazi specials!! Also, buy another ping pong table because waiting tp play gets old. Other than that, it's the best place to go at night when you want quality time with friends in a safe, clean spot. Pros: Good atmosphere, clean, nice lounge, good service Cons: need to post drink specials, buy a new ping pong table more

This is a pool hall like no other. Its not your usual run down place. Nice paintings on a brick wall, nice lounge, nice bar. Classy. We had a company function yesterday and we were served "chocolate cake" drinks. Its a shot that tasted just like chocolate cake. One of the waitress was super sweet and gave us great service. She came around often and food was replenished immediately. For a great pool hall like no other, go to First Street Billiards. The only drawback is that my friend was not feeling well after a few drinks but staff was really helpful and courteous. Highly recommended for another event. Mmmm ..perhaps my birthday? Pros: Nice classy pool hall, great staff Cons: 21 and over, location could be better more

I came on a Sat night with some friends from out of town who like to play pool. First off, the place is very nice to be in. The music they were playing was very diverse. The best part of the night was the bartenders. I have to say that they were the friendliest and fastest bartenders I've seen in downtown on recent years. My lady friends from out of town who never drink still talk about the raspberry lemon drops that they recieved. (If you ever go there, it was the tall white guy with glasses and the dark bald bartender who helped us out.) He also made a shot that had a perverse name, but it was tasty. But the good experience ended at the bar. When I went to the pool table, the surrounding table was full of dirty glasses and dishes. Then our waitress was rude and not attentive to us. Also at the the end of the night the lady who cashed us out was very short with us and didn't have a smile on her face. It also took us 10 mins to pay ofr our pool I understand that it is 1:30 in the morning, but lighten up. Not to mention the price that we paid for a couple of hours of pool. Again, if you come here. keep your night at the bar and not the tables. You will be happier in the end for it. Pros: bartenders, ambiance, creative drinks Cons: price of pool, waitress, cashier lady, cleanliness of the pool area more

My girlfriend had her bachelorette party here recently, and wow! I never knew the downtown had such a cool, casual place!! My first recommendation is fix up the front. It does not match the very nice inside at all. The drink specials are ok not too expensive, but the music, the art on the walls, and the big space is very cool. The service was great and the food, too, but more cute bartenders would be nice! ;) I like the upstairs. nice and private. I recommend it for dates or for a group of friends who want to play pool or just hang out in the ilixir(??) lounge! Pros: nice tables, great ambience, upscale, good food and drinks, cool beats!! Cons: can't see from street, needs cuter bartender more

Let me start out by saying...I don't play pool. The great thing about this place is that you don't have to play pool to have a great time. The lounge is amazing! Not typical poolhall AT ALL. Very upscale. This is the only spot in San Jose that ANYONE can go to and feel comfortable. The only bar downtown thats open everyday. And the live bands on Sundays...is there any place you can go to check out live bands and not pay at the door? I've been to 3 shows and have had a great time each time. They do half off mixed drinks on Sundays. The girl with the glasses who works Sundays ROCKS! We didn't know what we wanted one night and she conjured up the best shots I've ever had. Crown and peach and...I wish I could remember! Good food, too! Pros: Great Bartenders, Live Bands, Cheesesteak Cons: Parking more

I used to come to South First Billiards at least once a week back in the day... the service was shakey and the food was fair at best.But it always managed to be a great time.In the last year or so, my friends and I started up our weekly pool night again.WOW!What happened?!?!Their staff is constantly visable.I only had to look up from my drink when finished to see a waitress come running over.The drinks were super good (and decently poured!).The food was fantastic.They fixed up the front bar all lounge style and had a DJ the night we were there.After playing pool, we stayed instead of going to Zoe. Pros: No Cover, Strong drinks, Raspberry Bubbly!!!!! Cons: , Tacky nightclubs more

I've been going to First St. Billiards for the past couple years now. No matter where I go in San Jose or the South Bay, there is no better place to shoot pool and drink like S. First. And it's located in the perfect spot. There are four clubs surrounding it so there are always people walking outdoors. The place is very spacious so theres no bumping elbows with people on the next table. It is a very busy area so you may have to walk a block or two from your car but it's worth it Pros: spacious, large bar, upbeat music Cons: scarce parking more

poor, slow service bartenders had a bad attitude over priced pool and drinks Pros: downtown Cons: most everything more