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Buffalo Billiards
Categories: Nightlife Pool Halls Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Pool Halls, Sports Bars [Edit]
201 E 6th StAustin, TX 78701
Neighborhoods: Sixth Street District, Downtown
(512) 479-7665
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat-Sun 12 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Tue, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
83 reviews for Buffalo Billiards
Review Highlights
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"The shuffleboard is a lot of fun too." In 25 reviews -
"...if you try to go during a Foosball tournament, it is unreal." In 15 reviews -
"...TONS of seating, pool tables, air hockey, and the list goes..." In 10 reviews
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83 reviews in English
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Review from Lauren P.
Austin, TX
4/3/2012
Great for date night with your overly-competitive-macho-man-beer-drinking boyfriend!
Located on 6th street & diagonal from the Driskill, Buffalos Billiards was one of those places that we'd always walked by but never went inside, until last night!
We took full advantage of the large beer selection as soon as we walked in the door and definitely enjoyed the chill sports-bar environment.
I then proceeded to get my butt kicked at air hockey and shuffleboard to the point of not wanting to even try my hand at pool (there were tons of pool tables to go around though!) Lucky for me, the bar was easily accessible so that I could drown away my sorrows . . .
It was a fun and chill evening despite losing miserably at everything :)
Cons:
- Only one air hockey table and the scoreboard didn't work.
- I wish there were convenient places to set down drinks while playing games instead of out of the way tables. I like to play and sip on my drink when it's not my turn. Setting down drinks out of sight just screams "ROOFIE ME!" ;) -
Review from Jessica M.
Austin, TX
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been here on the weekend when it's pretty busy, and so I always excused the bartenders for the slower than normal service because I figured they were waiting on a lot of people.
Not the case this past weekend. The bf and I were downtown for the Pecan Street festival and popped in here to get out of the heat for a bit. There were maybe four other people at the bar.
First off, let me just say, the bouncer at the door was one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. That man deserves a raise. Not only was he super courteous, he told us about the food/drink specials and was just NICE. Good for you dude.
Can't really say the same for the two bartenders behind the bar. I stopped by the restrooms before sitting down (which, by the way, wasn't the cleanest bathroom I've ever been in) and when I returned my bf already had a drink. I didn't necessarily want a drink, maybe a water or something, but it didn't matter because neither one of the bartenders ever came over. WTF? And both made eye contact? Am I invisible? Oh apparently not because I am writing this review right now.
Anyways, so we kind of stared/sat for a while. My bf finishes his drink. We wait a little bit longer. One of the bartenders seemed to know about five people that came in after us and proceeded to have a very lively discussion with them while eating a banana and repeatedly lifting his shirt for some reason.
Finally we got the tab for the one drink. We probably would have had more if you know, anyone had acknowledged my existence. Or my bf's drink wasn't empty for so long. Way to go Buffalo Billiards. -
Review from John R.
4/7/2012
Tonight, Buffalo Billiards enabled me to witness the worst game of pool I've ever seen. It took both players 5 hits each to get a ball in any hole. That's what who said!? Seriously. It was awful. I think I won that game and I wasn't even playing.
This place is actually a worthwhile place to be. The clientele is somewhat representative of the Sixth Street ilk. The staff are pretty great, the atmosphere is really welcoming and open and comfortable. Tonight we went to the balcony and it was a wonderful people-watching spot.
I'm not exactly a fan of Sixth Street, but after tonight, I am absolutely a fan of Buffalo Billiards. -
Review from Scott S.
Cypress, TX
5/6/2012
The bartender was way overwhelmed with a lightly filled bar. It got him all flustered and he kinda lost it...being rude to several customers..myself included. Later I found out he was a manager. Really??? Dude...been there...done that...it ain't that hard. Lighten up..be nice...do your job.
Other than that..the rest of the folks were great and the games were fun. Please go and have fun. I doubt that manager will be there for too long.... -
Review from Steven C.
Long Beach, CA
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Big bar right on 6th street. Very open and fun atmosphere. Packed full with billiards, shuffle board, foosball, and arcade games. Booth seating, and an upstairs balcony-like seating area as well. Has a diner-like menu.
Fun place for some games and some drinks. -
Review from Camille R.
Somerville, MA
3/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Right in the heart of 6th Street Disctrict and so big you can't miss it. It feels like two two-story buildings connected, walls torn down to make this massive, open space. Bottom left floor is dedicated to billiards, bottom right is bar and dance, and the entire top floor is live music.
The drinks are fine, you can good drinks just about anywhere on or just off of 6th, but the place is almost too large. The bar upstairs sits in the middle of the floor, so close to the stage that leaves very little room to get away from the bar noise and just enjoy the music. With all that space it's a wonder why they wouldn't pull the bar back.Comment from Jesse B. of Buffalo Billiards 3/16/2012
Camille, you are right, were are two buildings built in the… More » -
Review from Brandon S.
Dallas, TX
5/7/2012
Loved this bar. Seemed like a place locals would come to. It's huge, spread out, and there's tons to do: Pool, foosball, pinball, darts, etc. We wanted to just sit and hang out after a long day floating the comal river. Drinks were great, tons of beer on tap, and the food was great. Will return!
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Review from Todd S.
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sports bar. Nice selection of beers on tap.The crowd during my visit was more older than usual on 6th street, 30+. The bartenders were friendly and it was not difficult getting drinks. Lots of billiards to choose from.
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Review from April S.
Austin, TX
4/25/2012
I had a lot of fun here. I didn't realize they had so many different games to play. As long as they have air hockey, I'm there. Plenty of pool tables. Of course darts and others. They have a good food menu. The staff was friendly and quick on their feet. Nice place to stop by.
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Review from Rachel E.
San Francisco, CA
2/6/2012
Stop #2 with the boyfriend. We decided it would be fun to play some pool, so we wandered in and were told it might be a little bit of a wait, but that we were next. They gave us a pager (oo high tech!) and we sat down at the bar to get a beer.
Maybe just because of the time but there was no one else at the bar. They have magic hat #9 so I was a happy girl! After about 10 minutes a table opened up so the wait wasn't too bad.
Rates were $10 per hour which seems kind of pricey, but they do prorate if you don't use the whole hour, so that was nice.
A-ok -
Review from mary l.
Los Angeles, CA
3/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
When you're in Austin, you're looking for a good time. If you need a small break from all the live music and the cover charges, this place is a great option. Lots of room to spread out and the servers were friendly and not pushy. Could have stayed longer if it weren't getting hungry for a late night snack.
Comment from Jesse B. of Buffalo Billiards 3/16/2012
Mary, thanks for dropping by. We are sorry you left to find… More » -
Review from amanda k.
Herndon, VA
Updated - 11/7/2011
Good beer selection and atmosphere.
I thought the prices per hour for pool was expensive. However, this could be due to the fact it was Friday night.
Be sure to check out the boxing machine. It will tell you how hard you hit the machine. Enjoy!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/13/2010
Great place to play tons of games. My husband and I stopped in to play some pool. The table ran… Read more »
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Review from Alexandra A.
Houston, TX
2/26/2012
I'm an out-of-towner but the other night, while walking down Sixth my boyfriend and I were intrigued by the assortment of games we saw in the window and decided to check it out. I am so glad we did. Decent prices, relaxed atmosphere, and shuffleboard! Need I say more? The bartenders were quick and friendly and there were a variety of games around to keep anyone entertained for quite some time. I had a blast watching what I assumed were the regulars tangled up in their foosball business but could have done without the idiots who turned the punching game into a head-butting competition.
Comment from Jesse B. of Buffalo Billiards 3/16/2012
Alexandra, yeah, you saw one of the bi-weekly foos ball… More » -
Review from Elizabeth N.
Austin, TX
2/28/2011
Buffalo Billiards was supposed to host an event for us, but they declined to follow the initial terms of our agreement --
Unfortunately, they did so two minutes before our event.
Guy with the long hair in a pony tail (Jesse, I think) pushed me out of his way when he was in a huff. I did not provoke this, nor did I expect it. He was overly aggressive in a chip-on-his-shoulder, compensatory way, so I decided to stay clear of him. He verbally harassed some of our other party members, as well, and said he'd call the cops if we were near his location when we had done nothing to provoke that, as well. Of course, he had no legal grounds for any of this, but he doesn't seem to to have the...mind of a lawyer.
Was told I should sue them but I'm just not that litigious.
I'm banking of karma.Listed in: YELPER BEWARE
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Review from Jim D.
Seattle, WA
1/11/2012
Cheap, ok beer, foosball tables in pretty solid shape. We played foos for 4 hours here and had a blast. Will definitely come again.
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Review from William B.
Killeen, TX
1/24/2012
I thought I'd seen the last of shuffleboard but this place has several nostalgic games. I had a blast!
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Review from Kevin N.
How in the world it is that I've never penned a take on Buffalo Billiards is beyond me, but them's the facts, and what it is, while not particularly novel the way, say, a work of art might be, can be interesting if you catch this place in the right light with the appropriate beverage held correctly akimbo.
It's a space pretty much made for gathering with scads of your pals, and it's Texas spread out in here, from the shuffleboard tables adorning the westernmost downstairs corner to the wrap around bar staring you down at the entrance. The real gem here is the upstairs lodge, however; a semi-expansive room where I've seen a number of bands rip things up during SXSW, shot some pool, and even packed a few hundred friends in here for a DJ Mel dance-off. We've had some good times up there.
In my experience, the door staff can occasionally wax a little aloof, but that probably comes with the territory on this stretch of 6th. And I've seldom waited for a bar pour from the bar, which features a decent tap variety, including Maredsous. Worth dropping by, especially when something big's going down.Listed in: Austin Downtown, Austin 6th Street
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Review from Mary L.
VA
4/10/2011
We came to buffalo Billiards because we wanted a balcony to sit on where we could look down and watch the ridiculousness of 6th street. This place was perfect.
We came here after dinner for drinks and the bartender delivered. The drinks are SO strong. You will DEFINITELY get your money's worth here. That one drink was all I needed for the rest of the night (I'm also old and a loser so... I'm not really throwing them back like in my college days).
The balcony was great. The weather was perfect and breezy and most of the time we were there, we were the only ones up there so it was pretty peaceful and quiet.
The place itself was really large and it was full of pool tables, shuffleboard tables, dart boards, and foosball tables. There is so much space so you never feel like anyone is invading your personal space.
Definitely a really cool place on 6th street that isn't your typical bar. -
Review from Kelly S.
12/8/2010
What what?! Delicious bloodies and beer and a huge area? The most competitive will love the pool tables and the secret corner people will dig the anonymity.
Buffalo Billlllllliards is a place I dont think of often because I'm not super into pool. And well, billiards means pool... right? Well it also means good drinks ($3 bloodies, $2 champagne cocktails), wide open spaces, shuffleboard, pinball, santa rampage... wait what? Yes, the infamous rampage ends up here in all of their red regalia.
They have a huge upstairs space thats super cool and the bartender that took care of us today was actually really nice (and really in shape). Big props to a place that I wouldnt usually frequent but also would recommend to my billards lovin buddies -
Review from Jerry E.
San Marcos, TX
4/29/2011
Not the best place to go for Happy Hour... $1.00 off drinks isn't really a Deal at all. And the beer on tap, was NOT Cold. Bartender said it was because the glasses are not chilled, but any beer drinker Knows the Difference between a COLD Beer and a Semi-Cold Beer.
But if you're going for the atmosphere then definitely a cool place to go! -
Review from Nicole W.
11/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
Conference party was held in the upstairs.
Cool bar, bartenders are quick, beer choice not fabulous - i mean there was blue moon, but not a ton of local Text Beers (important to me, probably not to a local)
They card everyone. Do don't forget your wallet!
Cool games - pool, shuffle board, video etc... -
Review from Tammy N.
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is great! It has everything: darts, air hockey, skeeball, pool, etc. There's plenty of space. Just a great place to chill
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Review from Randy d.
Dallas, TX
3/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was in Austin for the week of the SXSW event that was going on. Coincidentally, it was St. Patty's day, so what better to do than to hit up 6th street and enjoy what Austin is most famous for right? Anyways, I went with a few friends over to Buffalo Billiards. Found it and decided to check it out. It wasn't really crowded that much and that was a big plus for a day like St. Patrick's day. It was very orderly, and it was very easy to find a table. Treated my briends to some beer and the bartender provided great service. (Likewise, I tipped accordingly.) Can't say enough about this place. Ohm and they have billiards and shuffleboard, too, a huge plus.
So when you head out to 6th street, come and check this place out. It's not too hectic and it's a must recommend. -
Review from Christy M.
Sacramento, CA
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
With so many tables, there's always one open! The shuffleboard tables are fewer, so be prepared to play pool as a backup! Drinks were ok, and snacks are available too.
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Review from Kristie A.
Dallas, TX
9/7/2010
I've always liked this bar. I'm giving kudos for being one of the few places open on Labor Day. For a pool hall, this place is pretty awesometown. It's pretty big and there are TV's all over the place. I've seen the patio upstairs but I've never been on it. Must change that. I don't feel I can comment too much more because on this past visit I only had one beer at the bar. I was here during SXSW too, but again only drank beer, and hung out with friends. It was about 10 years ago when I dated a guy in Austin and we would play pool here. Memory is blurred on that experience.
BB, you have always been a staple on 6th street that I'm proud to be friends with. Let's get to know each other better next time.Listed in: Austin, TX
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Review from Eric B.
Santa Monica, CA
11/1/2011
I love this place. Foosball, billiards, air hockey, shuffleboard, old arcade cabinets on the 2nd floor, tons of TVs, the occasional live show... just a great time.
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Review from Jefe R.
San Francisco, CA
Here are a list of things that I have done at Buffalo Billiard's that were firsts:
Played Indiana Jones pinball with Quani while espousing my opinion on the upcoming New Indy movie.
Told 4 different British people that I was really glad that they came all the way from England to see me, even though they had not.
Found out a friend was getting married.
Played shuffle board as an Austinite.
Won a no-limit poker tournament of more than 25 people (there were 76).
Walked right up to Chuck D. after he gave an interview to 101.X during SXSW, shook his hand and greeted him, in my most pompous British Accent, as "Charles".
Now, which one of those things wasn't true? Regardless of which it is, I always have fun here, and never think to go unless it's someone else's idea. I wonder why that is?Listed in: The Final Countdown, The List about Lists.
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Review from Darrel F.
New Orleans, LA
9/29/2010
I have a bag the size of a paperback book that contains my wallet, phones, and today, an envelope with a lot of cash. While at the bar, the front desk guy asked if they could keep my bag behind the counter. I politely told him no. He said it's policy. I asked if they keep women's purses behind the counter, which are generally much larger than mine. He said no. I said that's sexist. He shrugged.
This isn't the first time I've had this bag at the bar as my company has many unofficial events there. I'll make sure that ceases. -
Review from ken z.
Providence, RI
10/28/2011 1 photo
Old-fashioned fun. Can I get one of these in my town? Please?
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Review from Stevie K.
Austin, TX
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great place to chill after work but not cool if drama gets started
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Review from Jon S.
New York, NY
9/19/2008
Buffalo Billiards is like the unwanted offspring of a pool hall and a frathouse. But it's actually more like a threesome, also involving a country western saloon. To make things worse, each was also screwing a divey irish pub on the side and getting reacharounds from a slutty rockabilly bar in the alley. That's when the hiphop ballroom moved in upstairs and became the village bicycle.
They all caught Syphilis.
Good times. -
Review from Quani C.
2/20/2008
So, I've been here a handful of times now and nothing has really inspired me to write a review... perhaps in part of the only partially remembering a couple of the times. The last three times, however, I've been sober and with Yelpers... how often do you hear those two words together in a sentence? Not... very... often. Perhaps not often enough but, whatevs.
There's really not much to say that hasn't been said... lots of pool tables, a couple shuffleboard tables, Nintendo Wii and video games in the upstairs (on certain nights), and high amounts of douchebaggery from the obnoxious 6th Street crowd. Not to mention the craptastic rap/hip hop/ whatever the kids are calling music these days blasting over the loudspeakers. I've been here for the Indiana Jones pinball sober, don't remember why while intoxicated, probably more unnecessary beer intake.
What sort of inspired me to write this review were the events of this evening, after being present at the 3rd place winning of the trivia at BD Riley's across the street. I quickly managed to irritate the bartender by requesting a sample of Lucifer beer (I don't think they usually do this here, he could've just said no) and hastily declining it. It was pretty awful, incredibly sweet... like a beer attempting to be girly. Ordered a Fireman's and it was presented to me in a dirty glass, it seemed as if there were particles of dirt on the edge of the glass and a couple on the side. He threw it down and poured me a new one. I thought it was kinda funny, then realized that he was REALLY irritated. Assclown. One of the Yelpers with me even noticed the guy's asshattery. We played a couple killer games of pinball, finished the beer and went on our way.
I'll definitely not go out of my way to come back here... even if they do have pinball and a Wii, for which they get 3 stars instead of 2. -
Review from William G.
Austin, TX
1/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Billards, shuffleboard, lots of big screen TVs and alcohol. Large area and plenty of space. Gets crowded during the weekend at night.
They have happy hour drink specials and serve food. I didn't eat there but did have a few 3 dollar longnecks. They also had a special on mimosas but stuck to bud light.
Great relaxed atmosphere, reasonable prices on pool tables. The shuffleboard is a lot of fun too. Great location on 6th street. -
Review from Steven N.
1/12/2008
Pool tables... blah blah blah... shuffleboard... blah blah blah... foosball... blah blah blah... beer.
Well... none of that really matters because these guys now have Pinball machines (it's about damn time!)
Pins at this location:
NBA Fast Break (Bally 1997)
http://ipdb.org/machin...
Demolition Man (Williams 1994)
http://ipdb.org/machin...
Both machines play pretty well. The NBA Fast Break machine has a couple problems with the "ball shooter" from time to time, but it wasn't too big of a problem.
The Fast Break machine is upstairs, the Demolition Man is downstairs in the front window.Listed in: Austin Pinball Locations
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Review from Jennie K.
3/31/2010
The $9 long island iced tea was made ridiculously well - BEST I've ever had. Delicious and deliciously strong at the same time, a combination I don't find often.
I'm a casual pool player and like all the other things going on here so that I'm not bored waiting for my turn. The place is really spacious so I don't ever feel like a sardine here, which is unusual for 6th. It's also a touch cleaner than your average stop on 6th.
Prices aren't bad, specials are even better. Check it out y'all. -
Review from Javier D.
5/22/2009
I've been here a few times at the urging of others, for a huge party, and now for their 10 year anniversary. I'm pretty lukewarm about the place in general.
Buffalo Billiards could accommodate as many of your friends as you have, and I'm not kidding. It's a huge multi-leveled gaming facility with several very large bars and a stage and dance floor. Sure you have regulation sized pool tables, shuffleboard, video games, pinball, guitar hero, but there is something missing.
The thing about this place is that if I'm on sixth street, it's not to play games, it's usually to see a show or to carry on conversation with people that I am getting to know. I think there are a lot of things that go on here that you can find at other bars where it's not as loud, there aren't as many people milling around, and if you're competitive, there is a much better place to facilitate concentration.
All that said, if you are downtown and you have a gaggle of people who aren't good conversationalists or don't necessarily care about seeing a show, this is a place where most will find something to do. It's not for me, but to each his own. One star for being big enough to hold 500 of your closest friends (useful), one star for having The Black and White Years playing at the anniversary(cool), and one star for the big guy walking around with a backpack full of Slim Jims (funny). -
Review from Alex C.
4/24/2008
Yes, it's Sixth Street. Yes, the bar smells like, well, a bar. And while the prices aren't great, they're not terrible either.
This is, in all, a pretty cool place. There's tons of pool tables - more than 16, I think - darts, foosball, shuffleboard, air hockey (it's upstairs in the game room), a few old school arcade games, a PS3, XBox360, and a Wii.
The pool tables are well taken care of; good shale and nice felt. The cue sticks could be better, but I suspect that's more the customers' fault than the bars - I'm always able to find a fairly straight stick. The prices are a bit higher than Slick Willies, but you're on Sixth Street, not bargain hunting. They're still well within reason at $12/hr for 4 people on a Saturday night.
You can also venture up the (huge) staircase to either the game room or the lounge area (if its open). The game room contains the aforementioned air hockey, PS3, XBox360, some of the arcade games, and the Wii. I prefer this area to hang in - it's quieter, provides a lot more seating space, and is less crowded. It's also nice not to have to move out of the way every three minutes when another pool player needs to put her queue stick where you're standing. The Wii is a great party device. Contrary to what my namesake Alex M. mentions, the nunchuck controller is available for the Wii - you just have to ask for it. They have Guitar Hero 3 for PS3, and several shooter games, including Halo3 for the Xbox360.
A nice touch? The console systems are free to play - there's no charge for sitting on the Wii for two hours (like we did), or hitting up Guitar Hero for a bad rendition of Jump by Van Halen; you just have to give the bartender your ID or credit card to hang to in exchange for the controllers.
There's an upstairs deck that's surprisingly badass - it's pretty cool to look down on the Sixth Street crowd, especially on a busy night, Nawlins style - plus, it's one of the few places on Sixth now where you can go and smoke a cigarette without leaving your beer behind. The Lounge area is pretty nice as well - large, huge projection screen for ballgames and such, and plenty of comfortable seating.
The food served is moderate - neither great nor terrible - but prices are fair and the portions are good-sized. Not bad if you forgot dinner or just need a snack. The staff is reasonably friendly, though I did wait longer than I should've on a slow night for my beer when the bartender just disappeared. It took me long enough that my friend texted me to see if I'd left without him..
In all, it loses a star for not having slightly better pricing, that ever present smell (clean up, guys!), and slow service, but it's a pretty cool place. A nice chill night out or warm up for the night of craziness, either way. -
Review from john W.
11/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
Great spot to hang out on 6th. Was there for a conference party and had a blast. The Korean BBQ truck around the corner didn't hurt either :)
Great atmosphere, pool and fun stuff to do. Next time I'm in Austin, will try to hit it up again. -
Review from Michael I.
Sterling, VA
3/17/2010
I was visiting Austin for SXSWi and met up with some friends who are expatriates from Kansas. We ambled up and down 6th street looking for a bar that had the Kansas State vs. Kansas game and we finally made it into Buffalo Billiards. The bartenders and the clients are definitely what made it a great time.
The bartenders were nice enough to let us sit at the bar while they switched on the game...on their gigantic screen above the bar. The bartenders working that night were Faith, Chris and Jack and they kept our beers flowing, our fried foods coming and provided some great interaction. The beer specials for SXSW were pretty good, too, and it didn't hurt as much when we got our bill (there were about a dozen people in our group).
Will definitely stop by again for either ACL or another SXSW. -
Review from Rachael M.
Dallas, TX
7/31/2009
I didn't stay at Buffalo Billiards very long, so my review won't exactly be in depth. Then again, all we did was have booze & chat, so what can you expect?
A group of us came here after dinner one night just to relax, shoot some pool, and hang out in general. I was surprised at the size of the place - it even had an upstairs balcony overlooking 6th street. There were plenty of free pool tables that night and I think we managed to snag a shuffleboard area, too.
Prices were reasonable that night and our bartenders were nice, but mostly business. None of them seemed to want to chat with us while we were ordering, but oh well. At least the drinks were strong & we had a good time anyway!Listed in: Drinkin' in Austin
