Society Billiards & Cafe

This place is awesome! It just needs some arcade games and more pingpong tables and it would be PERFECT!

Good pool and ping pong. Prices are really good if you go early. Parking is always a hassle in PB but like I said if you go early enough parking should be fine on Garnet.

This place is ok, usually a table available fairly quickly. isn’t anything to write home about, but decently clean and nice workers. Sticks are old and need to be switched and drinks too expensive.

Fuck this place… Shitty service, expensive beer and bad environment. Paid $ 28 to play ping pong for less than 2 hours… This place will be out of business within the next 3 months guaranteed.

My boyfriend recently went here with a guy friend to play pool and have a couple drinks. Since they do not have a Unilocal account, I figured I’d write one for them. They played pool for one hour and had a total of 5 double crown and cokes. When they came home they said their bill was just shy of $ 140. I inquired as to how much the pool was and they told me around $ 38. Then I asked how much the drinks were. they said they paid $ 100 for 5 double crown and cokes. I was a bar manager for 6 years and the only time drinks are $ 10 per shot, regardless of a double, is usually at high end places (and there, you expect it to be). I decided to call Society and ask how much a double crown and coke is and they told me $ 18. that means they were over charged $ 20. I assume the bartender pocketed this. Basically you pay around $ 2 a game of pool (if that) and you can get MAYBE 6 games an hour if you’re hanging out. That would cost you around $ 12. This is TRIPPLE that. AND they over charge for drinks. New management = new bar … but same old tricks. NO THANKS!

I’ve been here a few times, and the only reason this place gets two stars is because of the friendly bartenders inside that I’ve dealt with on occasion.
I went in recently to talk to management about potentially bringing a bar crawl to Society. I’d have been happy with a curt but polite no. Sadly, I made the mistake (?) of popping in before the bar was open to try to catch management before they were too busy. Instead of asking me to come back, I was met with hostility. Before I could get two words, out, the manager yelled at me that he was not interested in talking to me until they were open. I believe the gentleman’s exact words were «I’m closed, can’t you see that I’m cleaning?»
Overpriced drinks and an inability to compete in a crowded market makes me wonder how this place stays alive. After running into management, I can safely say I’ll never go back.

Awful! Is this real life? The pool tables are made of boats and the house ques are made of sticks found somewhere with mushrooms glued on top. It’s a thousand degrees and theres an attractive waitress. Doesn’t look bad inside though. That is all, no reason to come just read this and go somewhere else.

We were not informed by the bartender upon arrival that there was a charge for using the pool table as she handed us the billiards. We ordered some drinks thinking that this was how they made money. When it was time to leave, we were told we had to pay 12 $ an hour for the table. They were dishonest which was disappointing. The guy who charged us went over to the bartender after we payed to talk to her, not sure if he told her about the charge. There was no sign on the wall indicating charges for the pool tables.
Either way, I would not go again.

I enjoyed the new remodel. 3 dollars a for a soda water seemed odd but the pizza suggested by the girl with the shaved head. Bomb.

This bar is amazing since it’s been under new management! They’ve got flat screen TVs for game day, a lot of space and fun for everyone!

I have lived in PB for about 6 years and worked across the street for a few years and have never really wanted to go to this place until now. Always looked empty and dirty. But they have a new GM who helping bring this place to life. Whole new bar and alot of TV’s. And they plan on bringing fooseball, ping pong tables, and shuffleboard. Can’t wait till it’s finished.

I have been coming here periodically for the past year or so and its been getting better and better every time! The staff is always very friendly and welcoming. Yeah yeah it has been needing a makeover but it’s finally in the works and I cannot wait until it’s all finished! I’ve been seeing the progress over the last few weeks and it’s coming together really nice. The people below that wrote the negative reviews are going to be blown away! Regardless of the remodel that is going to make this place even more awesome, I have always enjoyed my experience here. Sam is probably the best most attentive bartender I have ever encountered. Great cocktails! The food here is also pretty damn good for a bar! Good job Chef Ray. Fresh sandwiches that come with Nacho Cheesier Doritos? YES! The 23 year old bartender from NY is also sorta fun to stare at while sipping my vodka soda with lime. Excited for the newly remodeled Society but have also always loved coming here.

Cool Environment to bring a couple friends.

2 stars — one for their food/​drink selection, and another for their pool prices.
But just like the last review said, they don’t put any effort in fixing up the place. The tiles on the floors are all cracked up from people hitting the balls off the table. The felt on the tables are old, torn, and warped. And the service is a hit and miss. Some of them are really cool, but there was a guy there that I can never forget.
I walk in, cue case over my shoulder, and I go to the bar area to get a table. The guy is a few feet away to my right behind the bar and I’m standing there for a good 10 – 15 seconds before he says, «You just gonna stand there or what?»
I should’ve walked out but I was already there with my brothers. Instead I shockingly just said, «uhhh yeah, just want to get a table please?»
That kind of service to your patrons is completely ignorant and unprofessional. Sure, you’re in PB, but really? That guy was a dick and I hope he gets punched.

I’ve been coming here for 15 years and it literally looks like they have not invested a single dime back into this place the entire time. The floors are torn up, the art/​atmosphere is outdated, food is subpar. I really only come here because it’s a pool hall in PB with regulation size pool tables and the pricing is decent. I wish there were better options that for nice pool halls that didn’t involve having to go downtown.

For a pool hall, Society is a good option. Being located in the heart of Pacific Beach is also a plus. In terms actual pool, this place does enough for it to be enjoyable. There is a good amount of tables and equipment. I do think the tables can use a touch up because most look pretty worn down. I don’t care too much for the food and drinks here either but they are what I would expect from a bar in this area. Overall, Society is a descent establishment. Even though there is nothing particular to get excited over, other than that it doesn’t really get packed, I would still say its worth coming to if you enjoy playing pool and hanging around PB.

I sometimes come here for my company outings once in a while for their cheap billiard tables.
Tables are fine. Decently maintained and clean. Of course it’s not the highest grade /​material but what do you expect for the price? I don’t come here to play in a professional tournament.
Food is alright. Typical oily food. Wings/​Pizza all are decent (edible).
Drinks are horrible. I ordered a Manhattan and they gave me Jameson+Vodka (what a joke). I don’t know why they even bother to have a cocktail menu. The bartenders seem like nice people but I doubt any of them have licenses. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re lazy and they just don’t care or they are not aware how bad their drinks are. Hopefully it’s the former.
1. Don’t order alcoholic drinks. Stick with the beer.
2. Cheap pool tables if you order food. Great for a big group (convoy locations are pricey for pool).
3. Chill atmosphere. if they have the AC on. If not, avoid!

I like playing pool, so Society is in my good graces. I just think they should invest in improving the quality of the tables. I understand everyone passing through Garnet Ave. is playing on these tables and destroying them, but that’s why you make some rules and uphold them when people start mistreating the tables.
Aside from that, this place is a great hangout spot for socializing, having a drink, and shooting pool. There’s several tables and you pay by the hour. This is always a good fall back if the hustle and bustle of PB night life is agitating you.
There’s a hefty drink menu, but I don’t know if I would expect greatness from the bartender. That’s not really their specialty here. Just stick to the pool table and grab a beer. There’s an outside patio area with a few tables also if you just want to sit and watch the foot traffic go by.

My husband and I love playing pool. We’ve stopped in here a couple of times and easily grabbed a table, a pitcher of beer, and enjoyed ourselves.
No complaints about service. We didn’t require much attention from staff so there wasn’t too much interaction. I wouldn’t come here JUST for the bar. It’s a bollards hall and that’s what it’s best used for.
I would consider this a dive bar and it’s been around as long as I can remember. May need a remodel, but I just like to see it as «character». Didn’t eat here and not even sure if they serve food.

Morons work here.
They have a giant vinyl sign outside advertising a late night happy hour from 10 – 12. When we went inside to ask the bartender what the happy hour included, she barked, «there is no happy hour.» When I attempted to introduce her to the huge sign hanging outside the bar stating otherwise, she snapped again, «I’m not going to argue with you.»
Even though it was much less of an argument as it was me just telling her that she’s straight up wrong, I sought out the manager, who also acknowledged that they no longer do the happy hour despite the sign. Apparently the owner wants the sign to remain up, yet refuses to honor the advertisement that they have prominently posted outside their bar. No one seems to know why they follow this ridiculous practice, but they’re all indifferent towards customer satisfaction.
Fortunately, there are tons of other bars on Garnet ave. that quickly took our attention and money elsewhere…