Shades Sports Bar (Shades Snooker & Pool Club), pool in Deptford

Photo: Shades Sports Bar

Shades Sports Bar (Shades Snooker & Pool Club): Pool & Snooker in Deptford, London

PaidWalk-inSnooker tablesAmerican pool18+Groups

197-199 Deptford High Street, Deptford, London · SE8 3NT · Mo-Th 17:00-00:00; Fr 17:00-01:00; Sa 14:00-01:00; Su 14:00-00:00

Shades is a proper snooker and pool club on Deptford High Street, going since 1983 in an old cinema building. This is a club, not a pub with a board in the corner. You get 8 snooker tables, 8 American pool tables and 3 English pool tables, a fully licensed bar, air conditioning and sports on the screens. It suits people who actually want to play, whether that is a serious snooker frame or a casual game with mates.

The single most useful thing to know: it is pay per hour, roughly £12 to £14 an hour for two players depending on table and membership, and you settle up when you finish. It opens late afternoon and runs well past midnight, so it is more of an evening spot. Bring photo ID for entry.

The pool setup

There is a lot of choice here. Eight snooker tables, eight American pool tables and three English pool tables, all under one roof with full air conditioning. That mix means you can pick a slow snooker frame or a quicker American pool game depending on the night and who you are with. It is a real club spread across a period building that once housed the Electric Palace cinema, so it has space and the right gear rather than a single board squeezed into a bar. Bookings are first come, first served, so on a busy evening you may wait for a table.

Good to know

Pricing is hourly and quoted for two players. Non-members pay a £3.50 entry, then about £13 an hour for snooker and English pool, or £14 for American pool. An annual membership is £25 and drops every table to £12 an hour, with no pre-payment, you just settle your bill when you finish. Opening is late: from 5pm on weekdays and 2pm at weekends, running to midnight or 1am, with last entry at 11.30pm. There is a fully licensed bar and sports on the screens. Bring photo ID.

Getting there

It sits right on Deptford High Street in southeast London, SE8 3NT, a short walk from Deptford station and Deptford Bridge DLR. The high street is busy with food and shops, so it is easy to make an evening of it. Children are allowed if accompanied by an adult, but given the late hours and licensed bar this is mostly an over-18s evening crowd.

Get directions

Common questions

What is Shades Sports Bar in Deptford?
It is a dedicated snooker and pool club on Deptford High Street, running since 1983, with a licensed bar and sports screens. You pay per hour to play rather than using a free pub table.
Is Shades Sports Bar free to play?
No. It is a pay-per-table club. Non-members pay a £3.50 entry then around £13 to £14 an hour for two players, and members (£25 a year) pay £12 an hour.
How many tables does Shades have?
Eight snooker tables, eight American pool tables and three English pool tables.
Do you need to book a table at Shades?
No booking system is mentioned. Tables are first come, first served, so you may wait on a busy evening.
What are the opening hours?
5pm to midnight Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 1am on Friday, 2pm to 1am on Saturday and 2pm to midnight on Sunday. Last entry is 11.30pm.
What is the nearest station to Shades Sports Bar?
Deptford station (National Rail) and Deptford Bridge DLR are both a short walk away on or near Deptford High Street.

Other pool & snooker bars nearby