🎱 The best pool tables in Austin

Nightly Closures To Fix Highway Cracks Have Started

Texas Department of Transportation officials started work last night fixing gaps on the westbound U.S. 290 flyover at southbound Interstate 35. Drivers will be detoured over the next few weeks during nighttime closures Sundays through Thursdays. [Austin American-Statesman]

Texas Drag Ban To Be Enacted in March

A federal appeals court ruled this week that Texas can enforce a 2023 law banning drag performers from dancing suggestively or wearing some prosthetics on public property, like libraries, in front of children. The ban goes into effect March 18. [City Cast Austin 🎧]

St. Edward’s President Resigns

A nationwide search for a new St. Edwards University president is expected to start soon after Montserrat Fuentes announced she was stepping down this week. Her last day is July 1. [KUT]

Poll Shows Crockett Leading; Tight Republican Race for Senate

A poll conducted before early voting began found 56% of Democrats surveyed favored U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the U.S. Senate race compared to 44% for state Rep. James Talarico. On the Republican side, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent John Cornyn are neck-and-neck, well ahead of U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt. [Axios Austin]

I started playing pool a little over a year ago as a way to prove to myself that my long limbs served a purpose other than clumsiness and that I did, in fact, learn something in my high school geometry class. Pool is all about angles, after all.

But, I quickly realized, playing pool is one of the best ways to socialize at bars and a great tool to meet new people — it's surprisingly simple to strike up a conversation with a pool cue in hand.

Maybe you’re looking to chat up a stranger, make a friend, or pick up a hobby with a competitive edge. Maybe you’ve been running tables for years and just need a new spot to post up at. Or maybe, like me, you just have something to prove to yourself. Either way, consider this your guide to the best spots around town to sink an eight ball. It's not really about the tables themselves, but the vibes around them—because that's what truly makes it a great table.

Sam's Town Point

I will forever love Sam's for the music and dancing, the hot pink linoleum floors in the lady's room, and of course the pool table in the back. It's a little rough around the edges, but it fits in just fine with the rest of the decor. It's unfussy and knows exactly what it is. The table is free, and depending on the night, you just need a quarter to claim your spot in line. Otherwise, it's just the honor system for who’s next. I've never had to wait long to play here!

Deep Eddy Cabaret

History baby! This place has been in Austin since 1952 and if I had to guess, I'd say things have barely changed since then. There are two tables, one towards the rear of the main bar area and one in a side room that leads to an outdoor patio. I once met an older gentleman here who told me his dad started taking him to Deep Eddy Cabaret when he was just nine years old to practice playing. See? History. Be warned: This is a pool-shark-heavy bar, but don't let that stop you! You get better playing against pros (especially the ones who are down to share their expertise).