HotShots Billiards & Family Entertainment Center

HotShots Billiards & Family Entertainment Center

Reviews Summary

Hot Shots Billiards in Pismo Beach is generally praised for its fun atmosphere, ample pool tables, arcade games, and solid food options like pizza and burgers. Many highlight the extensive beer selection and family-friendly vibe. However, some criticize high prices, inconsistent food quality, and occasional rude staff. Negative reviews mention poor service, dirty conditions, and one incident of alleged racism. Despite a few complaints, most visitors enjoy the lively environment and recommend it for a casual night out.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Pool Tables
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Pool Tables in Arcades

Step up to a pool table and dive into a classic, hands-on game! Expect sturdy tables with smooth felt surfaces, cue sticks, and a set of numbered balls for games like 8-ball or 9-ball. You’ll chalk up, aim, and strike the cue ball to pocket balls with precision, mastering angles and spin. Tables are well-lit, often with vibrant designs, creating a lively atmosphere. Whether playing casually with friends or joining arcade tournaments, pool offers strategic, social fun that’s easy to pick up and endlessly engaging in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Pool Tables
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

250 Pomeroy Ave

Pismo Beach, California 93449

Hours

Monday 12PM-12AM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 12PM-12AM
Friday 12PM-12AM
Saturday 12PM-12AM
Sunday 12PM-12AM

Customer Reviews

Hot Shots Billiards in Pismo Beach, a most excellent gathering place it is. Well-kept, the tables are, maintained with great care. Charged by the hour or minute, the game of pool is?18 credits per hour the cost stands. Variety, the arcade games provide, bringing balance to the entertainment. Warm and inviting, the atmosphere is, with staff most friendly and attentive. Strong, the drink offerings are, satisfying even the most discerning traveler. A shop, they have, where fine pool sticks, accessories, and

So we were in this evening. We purchased food, drinks, and games and went to our table. We noticed the manager, Danny, staring at us while we ate. This lasted about ten minutes before they finally walked over and said they had to ask us to throw out the leftovers we'd brought in with us. Mind you, we had them when we came in, while we ordered, while we found our seats (and were not eating them) but rules are rules and we complied. After throwing out the food, which they watched like hawks to make sure we

Great place for Family to have lunch or dinner. Arcade area for the kids and plenty of pool table (9 ft. and 7 ft.). Great selection of Tap Beers. Just a short walk to the beach and pier. They also have 2 Air Hockey tables. Love this place!

Hot Shots: Pismo Beach?s Ultimate Billiards & Hangout Spot Nestled in the heart of downtown Pismo Beach, Hot Shots isn't just a pool hall?it's a massive, multi-purpose playground housed inside an old theater, blending nostalgia, competition, and laid-back coastal vibes all under one roof. Whether you're a pool shark, an arcade junkie, or just a tourist looking for a cool Pismo Beach keepsake, this place has something for everyone. More Than Just a Pool Hall Step inside, and you're met with an impressivel

This place is awesome for adults and children. They have pool tables, air hockey tables and a full arcade. The pier is two minutes away . I had the fish and chips and calamari and it was delicious. You should definitely visit the family Billiards .

Great place to chill while visiting. A lot of beer selection to choose from. Bar food is good while you play pool, watch the game or play arcade games. I love the T'shirt selection they have as well.

Best billiard in Sacramento!!! Staff is the nicest chillest people ever. The vibe instantly when you walk in is so fun and welcoming and wanting to chill here all night. Definitely will be back every weekend!!

Horrible service 30 minute. Wait for the restroom, male and female overcrowded with no restrooms

Delicious food and not a bad price at all. Nice enviroment with plenty of space for seating. definitely will go again

Great place to take your kids or just the adults. Tons of pool tables and lots of arcade games for the kids/adults. Including air hockey, pinball, shoot'em up type games. They have a HUGE selection of IPA's, domestic beer (draft & bottles), imported beer (bottles). Burgers, fries and more which can all be eaten at the table top shelves located by each pool table!

Pretty overpriced food, drinks and especially the games ($2 for air hockey, $30/hr for pool!), but good fairly chill.

Had fun, lots of pool tables. Beer selection was on point! Food was good too! Jukebox playing a variety of tunes made the overall experience a great one! Price of everything was reasonable as well.

Great spot! It's always fun to play some pool and drink some beer here.

Great atmosphere and great service. There is a wide selection of delicious beer and the smell of garlic fries makes your mouth water. It's hard to find an owner working shoulder to shoulder with his crew and not delegate his portion of work. If you want to have a great time at pismo and eat some great food, great service, try hot shots.

The pizza is bomb. The service is great and the atmosphere is fun.

It was pretty fun going there as a family. The bathrooms could be cleaner but I'll be back, had a lot of fun

We stayed in Pismo for 2 nights. The first night we arrived, we went as they were open late and we wanted to go back the next night as well. It's a very cool place to hang out, play pool and have drinks, and have some nice clean good ole fun. They have a very good selection of beer and food to go with it, oh and they have Billiards tables too (plenty of them). Next time we're there, we'll definitely be giving this place a visit.

A few days ago I went here with my family, the manager came up to us so rude/aggressive and was saying we were stealing from them cause the kids got soda with us not noticing. First off they could?ve approached us in a professional manner, just said ?I apologize those are water cups, if you wanna get soda you need to purchase soda cups? and telling us we needed to get my sisters dog out of there. I have been here couple times and I have seen normal dogs then just service dogs in here. I have worked in rest

Great open floor plan with plenty of tables to play on. Music and various selection on beer on tap and bottled. Had a really good time!

Had a great time with the sunrun team! Great place to have a group event. Good food, great beer & fun times!

HotShots is our go-to place for pizza and pool in Pismo Beach. It is close to the water like a block and half away. It is a great location, everyone is nice and the environment is great. We always buy a shirt because they have good ones. Definitely recommend!

Food was amazing, atmosphere & service was great! Me and my dad have been wanting to play pool & this place was perfect for that. We ordered food and as we waited, we played and the server brought the food to us.

I'm disgusted by the way the manager came up to me telling me my dog couldn't be there when there was other dogs we spend over $150 the way people approaches is everything, this manager came up to us with attitude and telling us we needed to leave and she was the owner. The cashier was so disrespectful witch claims he's the husband. I have so many followers on instagram, Facebook, TikTok and I will be posting this, I don't recommend this place to anyone. If that's your business and your the owner treat y

This is a great place for the whole family. We played pool, and air hockey. Eat and had some drinks. It was wonderful. We definitely go back.

This was a family fun treat. My grandkids enjoy learning to play pool for the first time. The other arcade games were also fun n the food was good. Nice place to come n enjoy for the whole family.

Played pool for hours. Gives us plenty of chalk. Garlic fries are good. Place was a bit messy in the eating areas. There's arcade games and air hockey tables. Guy at the bar was super friendly and nice.

This is a nice place to stop by for some old school video game play, some pinball or to shoot a few games of pool. They have a nice array of souvenres right inside the front entrance and a full grill in back with a nice variety of food drinks and snacks on their menu to order. Including pizza, burgers, a variety of fries and more. You can choose the music yourself from their jukebox. Virtually unlimited selections of music to choose from ... They Are Teriffic Here! ????????

My first night in town, I had a great time out hanging out with family and shooting pool. Enjoyed the food and draft beers. Perfect spot for tourists looking for some good entertainment.

Great vibe in this place. Plenty of pool tables and some air hockey too. Had loads of fun and the food was pretty good. Definitely worth checking out if you like pool.

Cool place but expensive. Pizza was pretty good.

Haven't tried the food, or the beer. A lot of my friends were having their drinks sown really enjoyed them. They have about 6 pool tables and you pay by the hour which is phenomenal. They also have air hockey, A few arcade games, some quarter machines for kids. Great place for kids and adults I feel. Spacious and doesn't smell bad like most arcades ?? sells T, hats, other cool gear. High ceilings. By the beach! Paid parking. I think they close a little too early. Overall great time with good music/ vibes

Horrible staff! Save your money and go somewhere else. Microwaved pizza and Just overall a rude experience from staff members. If I could give a zero star I would do not come here! The business should fire all there employees that worked the night of August 23rd 2024!!!!

Super rude staff on Friday. Pizza was bad. Service was bad. Carpet was dirty and smelled. Pool tables are flimsy but most of all the staff on August 23, 2024 at night should be fired.

Plenty of pool tables and great shirt store in the front. I hate that you can't smoke anywhere in CA but that's not the fault of the business, just the picky intolerant Cali folk. Other than that, the place is a good time.

We Love this place. Right in the heart of Pismo and they great beer selection. Grab the fresh made pork rinds.. great place and great fun

There was a new kid at the register and my wife asked if there was onions that came on the mushroom burger, for some reason this new kid decided that since she asked if onions came on the burger that she actually wanted a whole other burger along with one we already ordered, so I don't notice the price difference and pay. not even 2 minutes pass (I stayed at the register the whole time) and I notice the mistake, of course wanted a refund for it, BUT they say that they will lose out on the money, and the kid

Nice place. Open late. Plenty of tables and food/beer options. Had a great time. Need more triangles for the tables though.

Great place. Makes you (me) feel like a kid again. Lots of families there and BEER! Nice selection in the T-shirt shop.

This is a great place to shoot pool and try unique beers other bars are unlikely to carry. The pizza is top notch since it's freshly made and never frozen. The neon atmosphere is pleasant, and they even have air hockey, pinball, and Mario Kart.

We absolutely love this place! Great prices and selection on adult beverages. The prices for the tables are fairly inexpensive too. One of our favoristops in the area.

Expensive place I asked one bartender for quarter a guy with long hair he looked gay and he asked what ineed quarter I told for parking and he is like we don't give quarters for parking what stupid rule or whatever u Wana call it I'm not going there no more I spend 80 dollars in game and he told me that .. that is so wrong

We had a great time. We went to play pool. Entrance and exit were clearly marked. The staff was was friendly and helpful. The food we ordered was good for what it was(cheese fries, corn dog and soda)and appropriately priced. Good beers on tap, my husband was pleased with that. The restrooms could have used a little attention but overall the place was clean. It would have been nice to have a hand sanitizer station set up somewhere though I did not see one, otherwise a good time all around and we will defini

Had a really great time with our family. Pizza and burgers were yummy. Great atmosphere plenty of pool and air hockey tables. I recommend this place for a fun night out.

Always a great stop when at the coast. Good pizza and great beer!

It was a lot of fun I enjoyed ourselves. I myself played air hockey with my 2 grand children I hadn't played in over 45yrs they bet me $50 that they would kick Grandma behind I told them as a kid I was a champion ?? they cracked up I gave them a couple goals and after that it was on nevertheless to say I played each one of them, one who is 17 and the other one who is 12 six games each and I beat each one of them every time ?? they both owe me $350 each which I will never see but it sure was a great time ??

Best fish and chips I've ever had! Freshly cut and lightly breaded on site. We drive 45 miles to come here just for lunch. Owner and staff are friendly and nice. Calamari is also amazing!

Fun place with cool shirts. Kid friendly. Has food and drinks.

Awesome spot, best pool tables I've found in SLO, solid brew on tap (and liter steins ) and great staff. Andrea gets a shout out for cracking me up while I ordered a pint. Been here before but forgot how awesome this place is, had a blast shooting with friends

The Owner Of This Place Is A Weirdo, He's Very Rude And Unprofessional, Will Snatch Food Or Beverage's Out Of Your Hand If He Thinks In His Mind That You Didn't Pay Even If You Did, Will Take Your Money And Refuse Service,Use Foul Language And Will Tell You To Leave Very Rudely, If You Try To Correct Him.

Took my daughter here to kill some time. We didn't play pool but did play a few arcade games. They have a nice little selection of games. They also offer beer.

Very cool venue. It used to be an old movie theater so it has a great open space. We were their in the middle of the week so their was plenty of tables available in 2 sizes. Staff is friendly and was very reasonably priced for the 4 of us to play for a little over an hour. Now if only our skills were as good as the venue!! ;) i highly recommend this place. They also have a great selection of gifts in in the front.

These guys are great! There are plenty of pool tables, a couple air hockey tables and a few video games. Their grill is fabulous and has some of the best pizza in the area. With over 30 beers or ciders on tap, you'll never have to worry about not being able to find something to go with your meal. The atmosphere is very casual, with the lighting a little dim, but the pool tables are always well lit. Plenty of seating and counter space around your table, and if you just want to eat and not play pool, there's

A woman made a racist comment towards my dad and when i confronted her about it she told her Manager that i ?cursed at her and called her names? when i really didn't. We got kicked out afterwards . * they responded and lied again lol. u gave attitude and we gave it back thanks. we definitely will NEVER go back to a place who had employees making racist comment towards my family .

It's an old theater converted into a cool pool parlar with lots of tables to play on. Good selection of beers and wines, as well as good eats. Great place for a group of friends to hang out. Located in the heart of historic Pismo Beach CA

Worn tables, young crowd, good food, many different beers. It has a nice crowd for late night fun.

Cool fun place for all ages. Beers are always nice and cold, plus a lot from local makers. Good energy and the staff are always super nice.

Good drinks and two sizes of pool tables for pros and ams

I enjoy trying sample sizes of their unique beers on tap. I think the pineapple cider is my favorite of it's kind. The food is surprisingly really good. The pizza is great. I really enjoy getting the garlic fries with my sample beers. They're covered in garlic, parmesan, and herbs that are just perfect. I've been coming to Pismo from Fresno for decades and have NEVER noticed this place as it's hiding behind a shirt shop. Now I come here to eat when I'm in town.

I have gone here hundreds of times. It's always popular because of how great it is! Lots of younger folks tend to flock here to enjoy a few games of pool, a beer or two, some hockey, and a couple arcade games. There's comfortable seating for dining in and relaxing, and plenty of room to enjoy a game of pool with extra friends.

The atmosphere is excellent, pool tables are in good condition and the alcohol on tap is excellent. The food here is not worth the price though otherwise I'd have given another star. For the type of business this is the food is average but for the location it is poor. Awesome Pool and Beer! If you're hungry and sober, eat somewhere else.

Hot Shots is one of the only things we could do around here. It is cheap and we love it UPDATE: after coming here for over 10 years, we had the worst service last night with one of the employees being racist toward me and my friends. Calling us taco munchers and kicking us out for having an outside drink. Also we ate pizza so I'm still unsure where taco munchers came from. Rude and racist.

Best burger I've ever had! Got the bacon western cheeseburger, it was huge, juicy, flavorful...so good! They don't give a lot of fries in the meal, but honestly I couldn't have eaten more than they gave anyway. Between 3 of us we had left over fries. We will be back!

Kiddos love it, food is great and nice beer selection

The manager needs an attitude adjustment. There is no need to be so rude. U won't have returning customers. Especially if we're locals. Iv here plenty of times and every time Danielle has a huge attitude problem. The prices are a bit high for this place but of course it's right downtown. And I still come even tho the staff isn't so friendly

Fun place, awesome beer selection

Friends, or a date, or family or a kid friendly place... Place for all. Have a bite to eat and or drinks as the kids play wt games. Everything for everyone!

When you get a burger at a bar... In a major tourist location, you can expect it to be pricey. What i didn't expect was it to be worth the price! Some cool games, AWESOME T SHIRTS, loads of pool and air hockey tables, and good food. When it comes to the heart of Pismo, It's the best spot for some good food, for parents to rest their feet, and kids still have a blast.

Used to have out here when I was in high school. Tim my son tonight and had a great time. Good vibe, good food, and good music. We'll be spending more time for sure.

I used to love this place for fish and chips, because they had nice large pieces of cod deep fried and delicious. However, the last three times I've been here, the fish has been terrible and the portions are tiny for quite a bit of money. I won't be going back a fourth time.

Expensive food. Really there are restaurants in the area charging the same price for fine dining these guys got a deep fryer and a microwave and they are doing it all wrong. Home of the $25 corn dog. Nice to still have an arcade in pismo

Was visiting from out of town came in to play a couple games of pool and also got a couple sodas and some onion rings staff was very nice

Super fun pool house and arcade in Pismo Beach, CA!! Great for the kids when we visited on our family vacation! They had a huge selection of great craft beers on tap and lots of pool tables to make sure everyone can play without having to wait too long. Definitely a cool hangout spot worth going back for!!

An amazing pool hall with a family friendly environment, yet an excellent tap selection and delicious eats. I recommend trying a pizza to share with family or friends! Also, the interior is quite retro and special; to stop inside and admire the architecture is worth a trip alone.

Good establishment. They have a ton of clothing items you can buy. Not only do they have food, but many beers on draft. If you can get a full sized table then it's fun. Good for groups as they charge per hour for a table. Tuesday nights is league night, so they only have one side of the room available.

Good food, kool atmosphere....

Awesome place, great arcade, billiards, air hockey, food is awesome, Phil and his wife are top notch proprietors.

Been going here occasionally for decades now, and so glad it's still here. Great selection of beers on tap, great service, great jukebox, decent food, fun for the whole family, and the most unique t-shirts for sale you'll find anywhere. Hope to keep coming back for decades to come.

Cool place. All age friendly, open until 12. Lots of room to play pool. There is a large selection of beer on tap and bottled beer. The pizza was good, best eaten piping hot!

Bad food and worse service. Emo guy with gage earring depressed about his job isn't my problem

Love love love the frog legs! And their rotating beer taps are pretty cool too because you never know what unique and local beers they'll have. Fun place to take the whole family.

I really like Hotshots. They have decent bar-type food if you're hungry. I had a hamburger there, and it was pretty good. I had no complaints. They have two different sized pool tables. One size for people like me who aren't in a league or anything, and on the other side... regulation-sized tables. The people who work there are very nice. I had to use the restroom, and it was very clean. That might not seem like a big deal, but trust me, it is. So all-in-all, it was a great experience.

Didnt eat or drink there. The atmosphere was fsntastic though. The T-shirt store in the front was excellent. Reasonable prices and well over a 100 shirts!

Great place for billiards and beer. Their sign says "best fish and chips in town" ....if that's the case then I won't be eating fish and chips anywhere in Pismo again! Great beer selections, clean, and awesome juke box. A few old school video games and one pinball machine. Fun can be had here for sure.

Fun place, what you'd expect for frozen fried food... They offer about a tablespoon of ranch with the overpriced food and then charge 75? for refills...

Great selection of beers on tap, bottles, and cans. Craft too! I think they have like 30. I had a Hawaiian pizza and it was excellent. Prices are very good.

Would give 5 stars if the restrooms were clean. Love the beer choices and how many tables they have available including air hockey to switch up the fun. I have yet to try their food.

The food was cold and the building hot. They ought to put in fans. All those bodies playing pool at one time creates a very warm sweaty environment. The only saving grace is the staff. They are very friendly and helpful.They are sorely understaffed. Long lines to turn in your balls which you are renting by the hr. My food was cold and my drinks warm. I swear I ate the driest burger. It is stifling hot in there. The only good thing was the friendly staff

Staff was friendly and helpful. Wait time for a pool table was fairly quick. Food is delicious! Definitely a gem hang out spot in pismo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are pool tables in arcades still good in this modern age?

Yes, pool tables in arcades remain a fantastic draw in 2025! Games like 8-ball or 9-ball offer tactile, skill-based fun that blends strategy and precision. Modern tables feature smooth felt, responsive cues, and vibrant designs, enhancing the classic experience. Arcades foster a social vibe with casual matches or competitive tournaments, appealing to all skill levels. Unlike digital games, pool’s physicality—lining up shots, feeling the cue’s weight—keeps it timeless.