Buffalo Billiards
1330 19th St. N.W.
A large bar that’s close to campus, has numerous high-definition televisions and a ton of pool tables seems like it would be my ideal bar. Too bad Buffalo Billiards near Dupont Circle was just about the worst bar I have ever set foot in.
The first thing I noticed about Buffalo Billiards is how big it is. Most of the bars in D.C. are pretty small and constantly crowded, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the massive space. But, that’s about the only good thing I can say about it.
By the time the waitress finally got to our table of 10 people and took our order, my buzz from the pre-gaming was beginning to wear off. The disappointment continued when we realized this presumed sports haven does not serve pitchers. And while $2.50 ($3.50 not during happy hour) for a Miller Light is by no means a bad price, when the waitress took about an hour to come back to take orders for beer again I nearly lost all hope. First, we got out of our seats and walked up to her and politely asked her to take our order. Then we tried to order directly from the bar, but the bartenders wouldn’t help us either. So, after what seemed like an eternity because my team on television was losing, I had another beer.
If I hadn’t been obligated to stay because the game was already underway, I would have left the bar at this point in the evening. But since I was in it for the long haul, I figured I would try to order some food. The fare at Buffalo Billiards is standard bar food: nachos, buffalo wings, burgers, mozzarella sticks, etc. It will cost you $5.95 for a big plate of nachos, $7.25 for a burger and $6.50 for a small order of wings.
Thankfully, the kitchen is staffed by different employees, so while we placed a food order with our not-so-prompt waitress, the food came out in a timely fashion and was brought to us by someone else.
The hourly rates for pool are as follows: one player, $6; two players, $12; three players, $15; four or more, $16. But if you go during “Prime Time,” Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to close, the rates go up about $4. Darts are more reasonably priced at $3 and you can play all night long.
As soon as the game finished, we promptly left the bar – even if I wanted another beer, it would probably have taken me another hour just to get one.
My recommendation: get drunk at home, eat at J Street and then go play pool in the Hippodrome, because the atmosphere and service there is better than at Buffalo Billiards.
Belle Rating:
