When Vancouver real estate started getting expensive the big snooker and billiard tables were the first to go. Sad but true, if you’re running a business, you could fit three or four tables in the same space. Now if that could be 10-12 customers it will not pay for the loonie toonie business of collecting fees for pool at four or five games an hour. The only loser in that game is the business owner. But all is not lost we still have some bar tables within our western domain.
Below, you’ll find three Sweet Spots for playing Bar Pool on the Vancouver West Side:
Indoor Pool Party Spaces & Places – No Splashing!
- Carlos O’Bryan’s at 8th & Burrard
- The Legion at West Broadway & Alma (#142)
- Bimini’s Pub on West 4th near Maple
Here’s a guide to the most popular standard bar pool games, plus some drinking-game twists you can use to spice up your next night out.
The Standard Bar Pool Classics
These are the games you’re most likely to see on any bar table in Vancouver.
- 8-Ball (Bar Rules)
The worldwide classic. One side plays solids, the other stripes. Sink your group, then legally pot the 8-ball (often “called” to a pocket) to win. On bar tables, “bar rules” can get… creative. Some groups play strict call-pocket on the 8-ball; others allow “slop” (lucky shots count). Always confirm house rules before you break.
Best for: Almost any group, especially casual players at Carlos O’Bryan’s. Legion #142 or Bimini’s. - 9-Ball
Balls 1 through 9 are racked, and you must always hit the lowest-numbered ball first. As long as you do that, sinking the 9-ball at any time wins the game. Faster and more aggressive than 8-ball, it’s great when there’s a line of people waiting to play.
Best for: Quick, competitive sets—perfect for a busy night at Bimini’s. - Cutthroat
A social favourite for three players or teams. The 15 balls are divided into three groups (1–5, 6–10, 11–15). Each player “owns” one group and tries to sink everyone else’s balls while keeping at least one of theirs on the table.
Best for: Larger friend groups at Carlos O’Bryan’s or the Legion when more than two people want in. - One Pocket
A more advanced, strategic game. Each player is assigned one corner pocket at the foot of the table. You can only score in your pocket; first to sink eight balls there wins.
Best for: Patient, thoughtful players—ideal for a quieter session at the Legion. - Bank Pool / “Bank-the-8”
In this variation, you must bank the 8-ball (off at least one rail) before it drops. It turns a simple 8-ball finish into a test of angles and finesse. Best for: Friendly wagers and bragging rights among more seasoned shooters. - Three-Ball
Only three balls are racked. Each player tries to sink them all in the fewest possible shots. Lowest shot count wins.
Best for: Very quick games—handy when you’re waiting for food or the next round at any of the three bars. - Killer (Elimination)
Great for crowds. Everyone gets a set number of “lives” (often 2 or 3). Players take turns trying to sink any ball; miss or foul and you lose a life. Last player with a life remaining wins.
Best for: Big groups at Bimini’s or Carlos O’Bryan’s where half your table wants to play at once.
Turning Pool into a Drinking Game (Responsibly)
Pool is already social; a few light drinking rules can make it even more fun. Here are some classics adapted for your West Side pool crawl:
Carlos O’Bryan’s (8th & Burrard): Loser Pays & Pressure Shots
This lively Irish-style spot is perfect for easygoing 8-ball and simple stakes:
Drinking to BreakFlip a coin for the first break. After that, winner breaks—but if you really want the next break, you can offer to buy a round if you lose. It keeps the table moving and the group engaged.
Danger of Missing a ShotAny obvious, easy miss? Take a sip. If you miss the 8-ball on a straight-in shot, you owe your partner a drink or a snack.
Loser Buys the Next RoundClassic and simple: losing team buys the next pitcher or shared round. Better yet, rotate so no one gets stuck paying all night.
The Legion (Broadway & Alma): Skill Games with Soft Penalties
With its more relaxed, community feel, the Legion is ideal for low-key games with gentle “penalties”:
Fouling and Drinking (Light Version)Scratch or foul? Take a small sip, not a full drink. This keeps the focus on playing well, not overdoing it.
Three-Ball StakesPlay Three-Ball races where the highest shot count in the group tosses a few coins into a shared “snack jar” that pays for fries or wings later. Drinking is optional; the real “penalty” is feeding your friends.
Bimini’s Pub (West 4th & Maple): Fast Games, Big Laughs
Busy, energetic nights at Bimini’s call for quick, social formats:
Multiple Drinks, Multiple Fouls In a game of Killer or 9-ball, stack penalties:
Miss once: one sip.
Miss and scratch: two sips.
Foul on the 8 or 9: you either finish your drink or buy a shared shot for the table to split.
Speed Three-Ball ChallengesTime each player’s Three-Ball run. Slowest time or most shots taken buys a round of something light—like a jug of beer for the group.
Mix in plenty of good pub food, water, and a safe ride home, and you’ve got a perfect InsiderBC-style night out: local bars, classic bar-table pool, and just enough drinking-game fun to create stories you’ll be telling or denying for years!
