2009 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Reader Survey Winner - First Place

Best Place to Play Pool

With what appears to be a warehouse full of tables in good condition, South First Billiards is easily the best place to run the felt in the South Bay. They mix some good drinks and offer foosball and ping pong. For South First Fridays, the valley's favorite pool hall thinks outside the box with art show and music performances.

As the anchor of San Jose’s SoFA district, South First Billiards is a slick lounge, pool hall and all around  ultra-hip drinking spot—although, and call us out of date if you will, we’ll always miss the pinball machines that were removed because we had the freakin’ high score on both.  But, First Billiards is still the premier billiards bar in San Jose and, along with the designer makeover, the menu has gone through some major changes morphing into a more cosmopolitan style of fare. The drinks will send you for a spin, the hourly pool rates are decent and First Billiards is bringing in some local DJs on some nights to drop beats while you try your hand at sinking the eight ball.

2008 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Reader Survey Winner
Winner Best Place to Play Pool

South First has a distinct nightclub lounge feel—dark and snazzy with a fully stocked bar—as well as a small stage that welcomes live music and DJs regularly. The lounge gives way to the massive pool hall that boasts 29 tables in 14,000 square feet and serves as the setting for a revolving art show.
— Metro, Silicon Valley's Weekly Newspaper, September 24, 2008

2007 BEST OF SILICON VALLEY Reader Survey Winner 

Winner  Best Place to Play Pool

South First Billiards is a gigantic pool hall—29 tables in 14,000 square feet—but it’s also a great place to have a drink and catch a live band on most Wednesdays and Fridays. If you haven’t been in a while, the front room has been completely remodeled to be more comfortably loungelike, and the small stage makes it easy to see the band from a reclining position. There’s also a DJ night and plenty of drink specials. And for the sharks among you, there’s even League Night on Tuesdays.

— Metro, Silicon Valley's Weekly Newspaper, September 26, 2007