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Andy Poolhall
Categories: Nightlife Pool Halls Nightlife Dance Clubs Pool Halls, Dance Clubs
489 College StreetToronto, ON M6G 1A5
Neighbourhood: Little Italy
(416) 923-5300
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
22 reviews for Andy Poolhall
22 reviews in English
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Review from Ashleigh A.
Scarborough, Toronto, ON
4/26/2012
Went clubbing with two girlfriends of mine on their particular gay/lesbian night hosted by Cherry Bomb. We got there around 10:30, and it was already getting pretty busy. We paid $5 to get in and got stamps so we could re-enter, and coat check was $2.
We started the night with three shots of tequila, which were beautifully placed on a mini sevring tray with lemons, $19.
We continued drinking rum and coke, vodka cranberry (which included real cranberries) and various other drinks. The bartenders really knew what they were doing and most drinks were $6, and they were quite genorous with pouring the liquor.
The dancefloor was packed and the DJ was awesome. We stayed on the dancefloor, but moved over to the pool table area to catch a breather now and again.
Will definately come back, maybe even to play pool! -
Review from Kimberley N.
Mississauga, ON
3/8/2012
This place isn't really a 3 but not really a 2, it's more a 2.5/5.
A few friends and I went here last Saturday for my friend's 23rd birthday. We've never heard of this place until we got invited to our friend's birthday so we didn't really know what to expect.
We got there around 11:45 and there wasn't a line-up which was a benefit for us because it was freezing outside. Cover is $5 before midnight which is great...but free for ladies would be even better. You get stamped when you enter so you're allowed to re-enter if you decide to step outside later on. It was busy when we got there and got really packed after midnight.
The washrooms are TINY! There are only 2 stalls and they aren't even nice compared to other clubbing venues I've been to.
Drinks are ridiculously overpriced! A whiskey sour was around $8. Luckily, with my charm I got free drinks ;).
I don't remember what type of music they played (not because I was drunk...ok, I was drunk) BUT the songs weren't memorable so it must've sucked. So if you want to dance, they have a small dance floor for you. If not, you can mingle by the bar area or sit around by the plentiful supply of seats.
Although I did have a good night, it wasn't because of the place it was the people I was with. The place isn't bad and it isn't great but it isn't my scene so I wouldn't visit again. -
Review from Shiona R.
3/1/2012
Saturday Night - Hmm I think I really need to go here again before I can decide if I'm in or out on really liking this place. At the moment I am on the fence. So the decor, I like. I remember the drinks being average price about $6 or so. Cover charge was reasonable too.
The crowd: mostly students...which meant I repeatedly got asked what I was studying/where I went to school. Fairly quiet when we arrived but got pretty busy.
The bouncers/staff: well they tolerated my cheeky self! Door staff told me they have the best gay friendly night outwith the village...reading other Yelp reviews I do not know whether this is true or not
Music: Top 40's and a mix of things, it was what I was expecting...it was at times good, other times not so good!
Pool tables: not as many as I would expect but I went there to dance
I liked this place, my girlfriends less so as they felt it was too young. -
Review from Aviva S.
2/10/2012
I couldn't decide on 2 or 3 stars (here's where a 2.5 would be useful, Yelp) but I guess this place is below average yet not craptacular.
I came here with friends because I was curious about this place that doesn't seem to know what it is. Is it a lounge? A club? A bar? A poolhall? None of the above? The bottom line is none of these aspects are done particularly well.
Poolhall: Few tables, standard.
Bar: Extremely overpriced $12 for a tequila shot. What the fuck are these people smoking? Their menu is placed everywhere but when you order something off it, they say it's an old menu. So get rid of it! Ridiculous. Also, the service doesn't make you want to open the wallet because there's so much attitude that it makes you feel like you're on King Street West. One of the bartenders acknolwedged us with a nod and walked away not taking our order. Once again, ridiculous.
Lounge: The place is pretty big and has lots of different stools, couches, etc. The lighting is completely red so it's a mix between looking like the red light district and way too intimate of a place to go with just your friends. And even on the weekends, most people there are in suits or overdressed and 25+. So odd.
Club: They have monthly events with various DJs, so different nights have a different genre. Check their website. This starts at 10-10:30 where the lounge feel is gone and people just enjoy themselves and it's quite fun actually. People just enjoy themselves and nobody's sitting anymore.
There's also bouncers outside which is a little too uptight for me but they're really nice. They also stamp your hand with a little pool ball sign that lets you go in and out.
To sum up, while there's nothing as interesting as getting down to soca and dancehall in Amsterdam iin Little Italy, the bar and the service there is abysmal and the entire place is eccentric in an A.D.D. way. Skip it. There's better poolhalls, better bars, and even better places on College Street. -
Review from Tina H.
1/14/2012
I was all for this place because it's a venue that is very queer and trans-friendly.... Until tonight.
I was minding my own business and this guy pushes me saying I'm in his way and he paid $12 for the table (which is nothing compared to my group who paid more than $40 for the table as we were there several hours for a birthday). Anyway, he thought it was ok to try to start a fight with me and started pushing me and the only reason he stopped is because my guy friends were there to be like "ok what's your problem why are you trying to fight a girl?" I was just standing there!
Andy Poolhall handled it very unprofessionally, didn't care about him trying to get violent with me, and tried to buy me off with a shot! (but not one for my friends)
I used to like Andy Poolhall for Cherry Bomb, until gay friendly meant gays can fight women. Only reason it didn't get really messy is because my guy friends were there.
The staff were terribly unprofessional. Any regular venue would definitely throw out a guy who's trying to start a fight, with anyone, let alone a woman, gay or straight.
If I were anywhere in the entertainment district I'm pretty sure guys shoving girls around is not ok, but in a community that prides itself on sex/gender equality, I'm surprised they allowed that. He could've said excuse me but decided to take a more aggressive approach. That's immature but completely acceptable at Andy Poolhall. UNPROFESSIONAL. I explained it to the staff and she understood she just didn't care and thought a shot would make it ok. Buy me off for $7? Please. She definitely didn't handle it like any other bar would.
If you're a woman, make sure you come here with guy friends because in these here parts, it's ok to rough up a girl if you're a guy as long as you're effeminate. I shouldn't have to wear my brass knuckles and put vaseline in my hair anytime I want to go to a gay-positive bar (on a non-gay night).
So surprised because I used to love going to Cherry Bomb here and never had this problem. Can't say I'd go again after that. I don't want to spend a dime here. Buy me off with a shot? Please. You were about to let a guy fight me, and then he decided to rat on me as if I did something wrong, because he knew he was in the wrong trying to start a fight with a woman. Pathetic and cowardly. No real man would pick a fight with a woman and then rat to the bartender saying she started it (when really that's not how it went down). If you were trying to take a shot at pool and needed me to move, you could've asked me to move, like any normal person, instead of pushing and then yelling.
By the way, sometimes they'll charge $6 for a drink and sometimes $8 for the same one. The menu said $6.50 for Johnny Black, why are you charging $8? Oh, because you want to. Lovely. Dishonest bartenders here too. Why is the drink price changing depending on if I order it or if my guy friend orders it? I just ordered that at $6.50, why are you charging him $8? Dishonest.
Music was ok. Maybe 3 good songs that night but most of it was random unknown electro.
FYI unisex washrooms, i.e. girls and guys in the same washroom, many stalls. I'm all for guys and girls sharing if they play nice but that's definitely not the case here... Crews & Tango = awesome... But this place? No way, because men will fight women here because they can get away with it as long as they're effeminate enough. Management does NOT care.
Unprofessional staff that tolerates male violence against women, rip-off drinks where they charge you $8 when it should be $6.50... Bad music...
Pool tables are nice but not worth everything else I had to deal with that night. I have a huge problem with places that brush off violence, especially if it's guys trying to fight women. I'm very lucky I had guy friends with me to be like "what are you doing? what's your problem??" to the guy who started shoving me.
Normally I never have an issue and I REGULARLY visit this place. Tonight was something else. Never again, Andy Poolhall. Disgusted at the way you handle men trying to fight women. I'd get much better treatment at a bar that is supposedly not gay friendly at all. If not gay friendly means I don't get threatened to be beat up by male patrons, I'm all for it, bring on the homophobia. This bar is pathetic and though tries to be politically correct, isn't in that respect. -
Review from Ayesha A.
2/6/2012
I went for a monthly party called Major Rager, because the site made it sounds super awesome.
It wasn't.
I've gotta say, for an event with the name 'Major Rager' the DJs were really, really sucky, their choice of music was somewhat schizophrenic and the name was just bad: Micky D.
The choice of pitchers was ridiculously limited (dark or light, only).
That being said, it's worth checking out because the decor of the place is just awesome. Very 'mod' and they have (obvious from the name, perhaps) pool tables, and a dance floor although it is a tiny dance floor considering the actual place is pretty huge.
The crowd definitely is not a particularly interesting one, but the cover before midnight is cheap, so it's worth going to if you don't want to dress up and pay a freakin' fortune just to get in.
I'd recommend doing a little pre-drink since the drinks aren't particularly pricey in comparison to other places, but they certainly aren't cheap, either. -
Review from Mauricio A.
Toronto, ON
10/6/2011
This will be a very brief review.
I feel bad about this place. A few years ago, I used to really like this place.
I still think the decor is really, really cool, from what I remember since I have not gone there in like two years. Very retro, and this is one of those rare places in Toronto that has a lounge a dance floor and pool tables. So it has that going for it.
However the type of music they played on their SYNCHRO Fridays brought in a very specific demographic and apparently *WE* were not it.
The reason why I do not go there and cannot recommend it is because of the owner. After using the locale for years and bringing tons of business in. He once said that he would not take my reservations because "the type of people that you bring."
Which are just not necessarily punkish-loving, early and mid-twenties, U of T types, but more like late-twenties, early-thirties, open-minded people with jobs who don't have to go all ga-ga over every song played but then again, that is what their lounge section is for and people danced, we played pool, purchased alcohol etc. We are talking of groups over 20+ people here.
When I asked him "what exactly he meant by that," he refused to answer. I asked why, and there was no answer as if he didn't want to say what it was. Then I asked him if he was being racist since I normally would bring a pretty mixed bag of cultures which tended to be different than what his usually Friday Nights brought in, and he just said something along the lines of "...your people just don't support the DJ."
Support the DJ? What does that even mean?? Toss him pellets of food? Who is a good DJ?! YOU ARE!! Anyway, it left a bad taste and well, he is entitled to his opinion, he owns the place and in fairness I am entitled to avoid Andy's Poolhall like the plague. Which I do.Listed in: My Reviews, 30-Day Oct '11 Challenge &…
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Review from Toronto L.
Toronto, ON
8/10/2011
The Toronto Lover system:
5 stars = Must visit!
4 stars = Really good. I take my friends here.
3 stars = Somewhat worth it... if you have nowhere better to go.
2 stars = Below average. Attend only when necessary.
1 star = Do not visit!
Andy Poolhall is 1/3 night club, 1/3 pool hall, 1/3 bar, which is pretty impressive when you think about how many places struggle at serving up a decent version of any of the three. I've been here when it was dead in the early evening, and I've been here when it was rammed to the teeth with eager attendees lining up outside on College Street. The experience was about the same - slightly overpriced drinks, good loud music, and lots of people looking for a good time.
I wonder how many people discover this page on Yelp because they're looking for somewhere to play pool... If that's what you're looking for, I recommend this spot because the tables are pretty good and you can usually grab one if it's not too late.
3 stars -
Review from Derek L.
Oakville, ON
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here last night, which was a Friday night.
Decor is great, looks very much like in the photos. A lot of red, red coloured sofas/chairs, and red lights everywhere. Nice place.
The only problem was, it was dead. Where was everybody? Reading the other reviews I thought this place would be absolutely rammed. I got there at around 10pm, nobody there. I was there with a party of about 15 - 20 ppl for my friends birthday. We stayed until around 12:30, and still it was empty. Just a handful of other people playing pool or standing around drinking. Tons of empty space.
Based on my experience alone, I can't recommend this place. Because no matter how good the music, decor, or service is, if there isn't anyone else there then you won't have a good time! My drink isn't going to roofie itself! Joke...
Maybe come on a Saturday night?
Derek -
Review from Jay M.
Toronto, ON
1/10/2012
This is the type of thing that has something for everyone. Upon entering, you are in a small loungey area with lots of long bench style seats and chilled out vibes. Walk through to the main part of the building and you've got more loungey seats and couches with a sexy red glow of lighting along the north and east side of the room, a giant bar fills the middle, a decent sized dancefloor and dj booth fills the space on the westside of the main room, and then you've got the pool tables in the southside of the main room. So you can chill and shmooze, you can dance, or you can play some billiards, what more could one need?
Lots of great dj's can be found here on the regular and you can pretty much hear anything from hip hop to funk and soul to house and electro to even the occasional drum and bass selections depending on the night. My only complaint is that while the entire place has put lots of money in nice furnishings around the venue, the dancefloor has no lights! Any proper dancefloor should have at least 1 rotary lighting setup, be it even just a disco ball or a gobo light or something to create the illusion of movement which helps a dancefloor seem less stagnant. Instead it just has the same red lighting that is around the loungey areas. Now don't get me wrong, the dj's still turn the dancefloor out on most occasions, but like I said, its the one obvious thing that the place should have that has been overlooked over the years I've been visiting, and others have agreed with me so I know I'm not the only one who feels that way. Aside from that though, much love for Andy Poolhall! -
Review from S D.
Toronto, ON
1/13/2012
Echoing what previous reviewers have noted, Andy Poolhall is extremely eclectic and offers something for all club goers. There's a chill lounge area with couches, a series of tables for hanging out, a bar area, an adequately sized dance floor, and, of course, a large open space for the pool tables. However, it still wouldn't be my number one choice for a night out, mostly due to the music and the crowd, but it's still a pretty safe bet for having a fun time.
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Review from Jarvis E.
Toronto, ON
5/15/2011 21 photos
Every time I walk in to this place I am amazed on how grooovy it is :) Since I have been back they have made some changes...really opening up and making it larger than I remember. The RED lit, very colorful ambiance reminds me of something out of the 70's and gives a very friendly feel :)
The music is always at the right tempo for the mood starting out loungy in the beginning of the night and picks up to all out GROOVE when it picks up. Personally I consider Andy a GEM...Super impressed with the cleanliness, design, staff, beats and over all feel. -
Review from Jason B.
12/8/2010
If you want to play pool - go here. If you want a drink - go here. If you want to hear funky uplifting music - go here. If you want a comfortable place to party - go here!
This is not just a pool hall- its the most funky place around! Every time I have been here, the dj's have had me reaching for my iPhone so that I could Shazam every song!
The decor and ambiance is so unique- the furniture and lighting fixtures are all out of a dream where John Lennon met Snoop Dogg collaboratively decorated... and there are many comfortable places to lounge out- highly recommend for any night!Listed in: Trendy, Funky, Groovy Music…
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Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/8/2008 1 photo
This place feels like a pimp's play room. Get me my gold-topped cane, daddy-o, let's roll.
The first time I walked into Andy Poolhall, I felt so incredibly unbeautiful... on the outside, at least. It's been a while since I've been to a bar where people do more than pat down their hair to get ready. In fact, I would wager to guess that most people here spent over 2 hours getting ready, trying to determine what colour looks best in the dim red lighting scheme.
But with the leather-ish couches, and various spots to sprawl out, this club makes a beautiful backdrop for them. Pool and billiards are really only an afterthought here, as the main circular bar and the lounge spaces around it are the IT places to be. If there are only two of you, the best people-watching seats in the house are to the far right wall, a throne of sorts, with a staircase leading up to it. But get there early, as most seats are nabbed by 10pm.
It's a good place for groups, and the service is quick and top notch. However, it's just not my style. Everything is manicured, slick, and feels ever-so-slightly meat-markety. -
Review from Bijan V.
10/21/2008
Wow is all I can say. Every time I've came here (or planned on it) my night has become one of those interesting ones. I'll spare you the stories but I ended up here on a Friday night and was pleased with the decently large crowd and no cover.
The place is actually layed out kind of interesting, it really is a bar, lounge, "club", and pool hall in one. Although unfortunately for the club part, the dancefloor is pretty small and everyone just completely squishes in to get their groove on. The music was all over the place but kind of cool - started from old school hip-hop to reggae to drum n bass to drum n bass reggae and holy there were some characters in the place!!! Andy made for some great stories and as long as you're open minded looking for something different then Andy Poolhall will provide you with an interesting night. -
Review from Yolanda B.
ON
12/18/2008
I love this place. I used to work here but even if I never had, I'd still love it. The crowd has changed a little over the last few years. It used to draw a more sophisticated downtown trendy hipsters but now it's a bit more casual and slightly younger college crowd.
My favourite nights have been the Britpop nights, first Friday of every month. There's typically great music, really nice and friendly people and the bar staff are attentive, friendly and tons of fun. Probably one of the few places in the city where you will see the same bar staff over several years. It speaks volumes when your staff don't leave.
Tuesday nights were a bit rough in the past but I think they've changed the music from hip-hop/rap to something that doesn't attract gangs.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Robert K.
1/23/2011
The creepy red lighting really drives home the hellishness of this place. No redeeming features.
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Review from Melissa J.
Toronto, ON
12/8/2008
** I'm revising my review because of how it was misinterpreted. **
I've been to Andy Poolhall many, many times over the past 5 years or so. It has a great interior, it's a great space, and generally, they have a good crowd of people.
The night I previously referred to, I WAS having a fun time, but was pulled off the dance floor by several friends when we realized there was a punching match going on right behind us. While this probably happens often enough at some clubs, it just didn't sit well with me.
Besides almost getting smacked in the head, I had no other problems. Staff were super nice. I'm sorry if my original review was seen as offensive, but being in the middle of a fight was a little frightening. -
Review from Vanessa G.
Toronto, ON
9/22/2008
Total mayhem. All I can say about this place is every time I go here it's totally packed, everyone is super wasted and the music is always hot and happening.
Apparently, Andy Poolhall is actually a pool hall? Who would've guessed? I've never seen a table or played a game while I've been here but that doesn't mean I haven't had a good time.
The place has tons of great bands, lot of space and many dance floors. It's located on a relatively sparse corner on College Street which makes it a unique spot to check out. This place definitely has a different, if not indefinable, quality about it that makes it a lot different than the other bars on College Street. So if you're looking for a big party with lots of crazy club goers and great music. head to Andy Poolhall. -
Review from Sophia K.
Toronto, ON
6/17/2009
I've had good times and bad times at Andy Pool Hall but never regretted going so I decided to throw in my two cents about it. It's not how you would picture a "pool hall" to be, but there are ample tables in the back, a lounge area and a dance floor. The decor is really neat and it has a really nice "ambiance" to it. I love coming here when I need my "dance fix" but want to steer clear of the dreaded club district.
Every time I've come they have played a different type of music so I would suggest checking their website to make sure its something you're going to enjoy that night. The dance floor gets pretty crowded so prepare to get nice and close with whoever is there that night. The drinks are pretty typically priced and the crowd has always been a mix of people, hard to distinguish a specific type. I think the cover might work on a before/after a certain time basis but I've always been charged five dollars, which isn't horrible. I think they have also put in a patio area pretty recently, I've seen it during the day walking by, so that's a major plus for when the weather gets nice (if it ever does!)
If you're in the mood for dancing, playing pool, or just hanging out on some of the couches to have a few drinks, then this place is worth checking out. There's a little something for everyone! -
Review from Alejandro A.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2008
This is a place that I never really want to go to because I somehow have it drilled into my head that it's a "cluby" club. The atmosphere would certainly make you believe that, with its dim, coloured lights, the lounge-esque furniture, and the dance floor. Truth is that every time I've been here, I somehow can't help but have a good time. There's just something about the place that consistently makes it a winner.
As the name implies, they have several pool tables in the back of the bar. The bar is an island in the centre of the room which separate the space into 3 sections. One section is the above mention lounge area. Another section is a dance floor, and a third section is the pool tables. I'd have to say that this is rather genius because it allows you to enjoy the bar for whatever reason you chose to attend, without getting turned off by a totally different crowd right beside you.
I wouldn't want to make this a weekly outing for myself, but rather I more see this as a place to visit once a few months for a guaranteed good time. -
Review from Anna V.
Toronto, ON
10/17/2008
The location is one of its key attributes. Just one block West of Bathurst on College, Andy Poolhall is generally more lounge oriented during the week and fit for dancing on the weekend. Inside, it's one part lounge, one part real poolhall, and one part full-on club. The bar is in the middle of the room and is square shaped so the bartenders can serve from all sides. It also acts as a room divider. On one side, it's all pool tables, on another, there is seating in the form of tables and couches and on a third, a small dance floor. Good spot for mixing pool with martinis.
