Where to Play Billiards in Da Nang

Before landing in Da Nang, Vietnam we couldn’t imagine that our number one pastime would be playing billiards. Shooting pool is surprisingly popular, especially in the My An neighborhood. Whether it’s 8 ball, 9 ball, or the more popular Vietnamese game Carom, there is a table waiting for you.

We visited all of the bars in My An so you wouldn’t have to. These are a handful of our favorite places to have beer, listen to music, and most importantly – play billiards.

Where we Played Billiards in My An

Simple Man 2

Simple Man 2 gives off a chill Rasta backpacker vibe from the moment you enter the bar. There are decent tunes playing throughout varying from punk, rock, and rap. The pool table isn’t much by itself; It’s just a bar-size table in fair condition, but the atmosphere is what keeps you there. The staff is cool, friendly, and if they know English they will be more than happy to “shoot the shit” with you. If you need something to munch on while having your beer there is a small bar menu with offerings of french fries, fried sausages, spring rolls, chicken nuggets and fish & chips.

We suggest sticking to the bottled beer and saving a couple Vietnamese Dongs. Huda bottles are 20,000 (.86 USD) while draft is 30,000 (1.29 USD). The price difference is not indicated on the menu.

Table Quality: Fair Drink Prices: Cheap Entertainment: Good

Hours: 10 a.m. – 3 a.m. daily Location: Bắc Mỹ An

Shamrock Sports Bar

Easily our favorite spot in town and one that we would visit week after week. It was the cheap drinks, friendly staff, and the Sunday night open-mic hosted by Darragh Casey that kept us coming back. With its many TVs and large sporting package Shamrock is the perfect location to catch your favorite team. If it is in a totally different time zone, don’t worry; This sports bar is open 24/7. If you fancy a game of poker you can find this here too. Shamrock may not have their own kitchen but they do offer a full menu from a local restaurant just around the corner.

Table Quality: Very Good Drink Prices: Cheap Entertainment: Very Good

Hours : 24/7 Location : 11 An Thượng 32 Website : Shamrock

MIA Food and Drink

It was the food that had us returning to shoot a game or two after our meal. It is more of a restaurant than anything else but it does house a regulation size table as the centerpiece of the room. As far as western food goes, the prices are very reasonable and tasty. A fried chicken or fish sandwich served with a side of fries will set you back 75,000 VND (3.25 USD) or a combo of beef burger and a craft beer for 110,000 VND (4.75 USD). If you want something sweet, be sure to try their carrot cake – but fair warning, you will be returning for a second slice.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. Daily Location: 161 Lê Quang Đạo

Table Quality: Good Drink Prices: Cheap+ Entertainment: Poor

The Kneipe

If you feel like splurging a little bit you can do that here as The Kneipe has a wide selection of single malt scotches and craft beer. If you don’t feel like seeing those 100k notes fall out of your wallet, the normal offering of Larue, Huda and Tiger are also available. You can find shisha here for 250,000 VND (11 USD) along with DJ’s and billiards tournaments. Be sure to check the sign out front or their Facebook page for any food or drink specials they are currently running. The food specials are created and change regularly.

Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 a.m. Daily Location: 181 Lê Quang Đạo

Table Quality: Very Good Drink Prices: Cheap+ Entertainment: Good

Filling Station

This is a great place to meet other long-term travelers and expats living in the My An neighborhood. Here, you can find some really good Vietnamese craft beers at a decent price. I recommend trying the Coffee Vanilla Porter from East West (500 ml for 120,000 VND (5.17 USD)). The Filling Station really starts to fill up later in the evenings so get there early to get a few games of billiards in. This place only has bar snacks but not to worry, right next door at Bikini Bottom you get 24-hour braised pork nachos and 9,000 VND (.39 USD) fresh beer.

Table Quality: Good Drink Prices: Cheap Entertainment: Good

Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 a.m. Location: 60 An Thuong 2

The Story Bar & Restaurant

The resident puppy aside, this is just a good quality spot to relax, shoot some pool and hang out with friends. It is located down one of the more quiet streets in town so it gets bonus points right away. After you order they give you a little dish of peanuts which is always a nice touch. The puppy that we can only assume lives there is friendly and hungry for attention.

Table Quality: Very Good Drink Prices: Cheap+ Entertainmant: Fair

Hours: 4 p.m. – 3 a.m. Location: 29 An Thượng 29

Bonus Location

7 Bridges Brewing

The location of this one is a bit outside of the My An neighborhood. It is situated on the Han River near the Dragon Bridge. However, the high-quality beers and separate billiards room made it a must add to our list. The billiards room is located on the 3rd floor which has its own a/c and balcony.

7 Bridges Brewing produces a hazy New England style IPA that has received a gold medal at the Asia Beer Championship. They have also earned the Port Wine and Adventure stamp of approval for their effort to donate proceeds to anti-poaching organizations. This brewery is a little bit on the expensive side for a backpacker’s budget but between its excellent pizzas and noteworthy beer, you won’t be let down.

Table Quality: Very Good Drink Prices: High Entertainment: Very Good

Hours: 2 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Location: 493 Đ. Trần Hưng Đạo

Carom Billiards: What is it and Where to Play

This billiards game is played on a pocketless table and only uses three balls. Although not popular among the expats it is popular game with the locals and in most Asian countries. The object of the game is simple. After the break the shooter must shoot his or her ball and connect with the other two balls in the same stroke. If this is achieved the shooter gains a point. The game involves a lot of cue ball control, so don’t be deterred if you’re not instantly mastering it.

Looking for something else to do in Da Nang besides billiards? Head to Sun World Da Nang Wonders. For the very reasonable entrance fee starting at 150,000 VND (6.50 USD) you can enjoy unlimited rides and arcade games.

Did we miss your favorite spot in the My An neighborhood to play a round of billiards? If so, let us know in the comments.

Cheers friends,

Matt & Megan