Billiards is as widespread in Ukraine as anywhere else in the world. You can find billiard and pool tables even at the most remote, unpretentious cafes, which, in a way, reduces this game to the most trivial kind of entertainment.
And yet, it is much more than that. There are pool professionals and pool tournaments. The richest make sure to place a billiard table in the basement of their villa. It’s a popular way to spend leisure time after a hard day’s work in many parts of the world. Finally, it’s a great way to socialize. The reasons for it are quite simple: it’s relatively cheap, you can do it any time of day and you can go alone. Simply sitting and drinking beer at a bar may get boring, and is not very stylish, especially if you are a girl. But once you get up and grab a cue stick, you’re no longer just boozing. You’re in the game. Your fellow players will probably be willing to give tips and advice, and share their troubles and jokes, and before you know it, you’ve got your company for the night. If you have an excitable nature, you might find it difficult to leave the game at all.
I have played billiards just a few times in my life. So, to research this story, I turned to the help of my friends, for whom billiards is not merely a way of killing time, but a real passion and a hobby. They helped me find the right places for a serious billiard experience.
Billy Yard
This is one of the oldest billiard clubs in Kyiv. Professional sports competitions have not been held there for a long time. But the owners are trying to keep the reputation of the club at a good level by offering quality tables and equipment, as well as good food. There are seven tables for Russian billiards (Monday through Friday, until 5 p.m. – Hr 68 per hour; after 5 p.m., Hr 78 per hour; on Saturdays and Sundays, Hr 88 per hour. They have special club cards for patrons with 50 percent discounts for games till 5 p.m. Billy Yard operates 24-hours.
Bingo
Bingo is a big entertainment complex. As merely a pool hall, it may not seem like the best place. The tables are often scratched, warped, or worse, beer-stained. Only a couple of tables are still in good condition. It seems as if Bingo has not renovated this part of the operation in many years. Eight Russian billiard tables (from 5 a.m. till 5 p.m. – Hr 40 per hour; at other times – Hr 50 per hour), nine pool tables (from 5 a.m. till 7 p.m. – Hr 25 per hour, at other times – Hr 36 per hour); two tables for snooker (from 5 a.m. till 7 p.m. – Hr 40 per hour, at other times – Hr 55 per hour). Regular clients get special discounts of 10 to 20 percent.
Status
Previously, Status was reputed to set the standard for billiard clubs in Kyiv. Now, there are more worthy places, but Status still remains one of the best. This billiard club has a good atmosphere, friendly service, great pool rates, and tasty food, too. They’ve got seven Russian billiard tables (Hr 120 per hour), two snooker tables (Hr 120 per hour) and one pool table (Hr 96 per hour). Furthermore, you may retire from a crowded hall to their two VIP rooms (Hr 260-340 per hour). Among their services, they offer a snack bar with European cuisine and sushi menu. A glass of beer will cost you Hr 18. Free Wi-Fi is provided.
Weekend
The Weekend club was opened by the same owners as Bingo, but Weekend is in much better condition. All the same, several problems still remain. The place is always filled with cigarette smoke so thick that your eyes might begin to water, making it hard to concentrate on the game. Nevertheless, they offer almost 10 pool tables – pretty good for Kyiv. Also, you will find 16 tables for Russian billiards and two for snooker. The rates for Russian billiards and snooker are Hr 50-65 per hour; pool tables are Hr 35-50 per hour; VIP halls are Hr 150 per hour. Beer ranges from Hr 8 to 25 per 0.5 liter. If you become a frequent guest, you can get a 10 to 30 percent discount. Wi-Fi is available.
Bowling clubs Vitamin-1 and Vitamin-2
My friends, who play billiards pretty often, told me about an excellent billiard club, Paradise, that used to be located in the entertainment and shopping center Rhythm, but recently closed. Now it is possible to play billiards at bowling clubs Vitamin-1 and Vitamin-2, located at Magelan shopping center. But it’s not so comfortable to play pool when you hear the noise of bowling balls. Vitamin-1 provides six Russian billiard tables – Hr 54 per hour ,and three pool tables – Hr 42 per hour. Vitamin-2 has lots of tables: 15 for Russian billiards – Hr 54 per hour; one for snooker – Hr 66 per hour; and nine for pool – Hr 42 per hour. In the VIP hall, they have only Russian billiard tables with rates of Hr 99 per hour. Beer will cost you Hr 9-22.
Billiard Club Buffalo
Billiard Club Buffalo is an original two-level club. There is a sort of VIP hall on the first level, . The second level is simpler: seven tables stand in a one row, just like at sports championships. All billiard tables are high-quality. Buffalo has 20 tables for Russian billiards, three for pool and one for snooker, with an overall rate of Hr 60. Discount client cards worth 30 percent are offered. Beer costs Hr 12-18.
Billy Yard (10/37 Industrialna, 222-5322). Open 24 hours.
Bingo (112 Prospect Pobedy, 423-8317) . Open 9 a.m. till 5 a.m.
Status (3 Ploshcha Peremohy, Ukraina shopping mall, 3rd floor, 496-1590). Open 10 a.m. till 5 a.m.
Weekend (107 Bozhenko, 529-2868). Open 24 hours
Bowling club Vitamin-1 (4 Heroyiv Kosmosu, 501-1050).
Rhythm (Dayli 11 a.m. till 4 a.m.)
Bowling club Vitamin-2 (13B Prospect Hlushkova, Mahelan shopping center, 501-0660). Mon 2 p.m. till 2 a.m., Tue-Sat 11 a.m. till 4 a.m., Sun 11 a.m. till 2 p.m.
Billiard Club Buffalo (46 Revutskoho, 565-6559). Open noon till 5 a.m.
