Pool: we advise where to play billiards in Krakow and have fun doing it

Pool: we advise where to play billiards in Krakow and have fun doing it

June 11, 2025

Cracow, a city with a rich history and vibrant nightlife, offers billiard lovers unique places to indulge in this noble pastime. The tradition of billiard in Poland's former capital dates back to the 19th century, when the first billiard tables appeared in exclusive gentlemen's clubs. Today, in a city visited annually by more than 14 million tourists, billiards is experiencing a true renaissance, and Krakow's billiard clubs combine tradition with modernity, offering both professional playing conditions and a unique atmosphere.

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Exclusive billiard experience in the heart of the city

Among Krakow's billiard clubs, special attention should be paid to Diament - Pub & Billiards Club, located at 2 Mikołaja Zyblikiewicza Street, just a few minutes' walk from the Main Square. This elegant establishment, located in a historic building, combines the function of a professional billiards club and a stylish whisky bar. The history of the place is fascinating - according to local accounts, in the 1930s the same building housed an exclusive club for Krakow's elite, where billiards was one of the favorite pastimes of the notables of the time.

Diament stands out from other establishments primarily because of its professional approach to billiards. The club offers high-quality billiard tables that meet tournament standards. Each table is regularly serviced, and cloths are replaced much more often than in average establishments. This makes Diamond attract not only amateurs, but also professional players who value precision and quality equipment.

A unique feature of the Diamond is its extensive whiskey collection, with more than 100 different varieties of the drink from around the world. The tradition of combining billiards with whisky tasting dates back to Scottish billiard clubs of the 18th century, and the Diamond cultivates this heritage. The establishment also organizes regular billiard tournaments that attract both local players and participants from all over the country.

An interesting fact about Diament is that scenes for several Polish film productions were filmed in its interiors, and among the club's guests you can meet well-known personalities from the world of culture and sports. The club also has a collection of historic billiard cues, the oldest of which dates back to the early 20th century and is said to have belonged to one of Krakow's aristocrats.

The atmosphere of the Diamond is unique - elegant dark wood interiors, subdued lighting and classical music in the background create an atmosphere that promotes both concentration during the game and relaxation. Prices at the Diamond are higher than at average billiard establishments, but the quality of service, equipment and the overall atmosphere fully justify the difference.

Professional snooker and American billiards

For true billiard and snooker enthusiasts, the Frame Snooker & Pool Krakow club at 56 Zawiła Street is a must-visit place on the map of Krakow. This billiard club, the largest in Małopolska, was created on the initiative of former players who decided to create a space dedicated exclusively to the sport. The name 'Frame' refers to a single game in snooker, which immediately signals the professional approach of the owners.

The Frame club is distinguished above all by its impressive number of tables - it has 12 professional pool tables and 4 full-size snooker tables. The latter are a real rarity in Poland - a full-size snooker table is 12 feet long (about 3.66 meters) and requires a large space, so few clubs can afford to install them. It is worth knowing that snooker, although less popular in Poland than American billiards, has the status of an almost national sport in Great Britain, and professional players there enjoy a fame comparable to that of soccer stars.

The history of snooker in Krakow is relatively short, but intense. The first snooker tournament in the city was held in 1992, and today Krakow players regularly win medals in the Polish championships. The Frame club continues this tradition, organizing both amateur and professional tournaments.

An interesting fact is that in the Frame Club you can meet billiard coaches, who offer professional lessons for both beginners and advanced players. This is the only such place in Krakow where you can systematically develop your skills under the guidance of professionals. The club also runs a junior section, raising the next generation of billiard players.

Unlike the Diamond, the Frame Club focuses primarily on sports rather than a pub atmosphere. The interiors are functional, well-lit (which is key in billiards) and designed with player comfort in mind. Prices are moderate, and the club offers passes for regular customers, making it accessible to a wide range of billiard enthusiasts.

It is also worth mentioning that the Frame Club is the only place in Krakow where broadcasts of the world's most important snooker tournaments are regularly held, bringing together fans of the sport. This creates a unique community of enthusiasts who regularly meet to watch and comment together on the struggles of the world's best players.

An entertaining approach to billiards

For those looking for a more entertaining approach to billiards, Krakow offers several interesting locations where the game is just one element of the rich offer. The Stage | Music - Billiard - Food at 3 Lobzowska Street is a place that combines the functions of a music club, restaurant and billiard hall. The restaurant is located in the adapted basement of a historic building, which gives it a unique industrial character. According to local stories, these basements housed a secret jazz club during World War II, where Krakow musicians played songs banned by the occupiers.

The Stage offers 6 pool tables, which are regularly serviced, although they don't match the quality of those in professional clubs. The real asset of the place, however, is the atmosphere - regular live concerts, DJs playing vinyl music and a wide range of food and drink make it an ideal place to meet with friends, where billiards is a pleasant addition to the evening.

Another interesting place is N'JOY & Billiards at 4 Bracka Street, located in the heart of the Old Town. This small establishment offers 4 billiard tables in a cozy underground space. N'JOY stands out from other venues because of its rich history - it is located in the basement of a tenement building, which, according to urban legends, was connected to Wawel Castle by secret passages. Although historians approach these stories with caution, the owners of the establishment skillfully use these legends to create a unique atmosphere of the place.

N'JOY & Billiards is also known for organizing unusual billiard tournaments, such as 'Billiards in the Dark' (where players have only minimal lighting) and the 'One Hand Tournament'. These original events attract both experienced players looking for a new challenge and amateurs focused on having fun.

For lovers of various forms of entertainment, Bowling House at 14B Stanisława Klimeckiego Street offers not only billiards, but also bowling, dart and other games. This modern entertainment complex, opened in 2015, has quickly become a popular meeting place for Cracovians. Bowling House has 8 billiard tables, which, although not professional, serve their function perfectly in an entertainment context.

An interesting fact about Bowling House is that the premises are located on the site of the former Solvay industrial plant, which played an important role in Krakow's history. During World War II Karol Wojtyla, later Pope John Paul II, worked there as a laborer. Today the area has undergone a complete metamorphosis, becoming a modern entertainment and business district.

Comparing all the places described, it is worth noting that each offers a different experience and targets a different audience. The Diamond attracts connoisseurs looking for elegance and high quality, Club Frame is a paradise for enthusiasts and sportsmen, The Stage and N'JOY are places for social players who appreciate a good atmosphere, and Bowling House is a comprehensive entertainment offer for entire groups of friends. Prices range from affordable at Bowling House and The Stage, to moderate at Club Frame and N'JOY, to higher at the exclusive Diamond.

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