The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2026 - Issue 39

bitenightout Korean‑style fried chicken next to Mexican‑inspired street‑food bites or American‑style smash burger sliders alongside Mediter‑ ranean‑leaning dips and flatbreads. Games such as Pot Shots, Killer, Void, and Cliff Edge are pro‑ jected directly onto 20 American pool tables, turning traditional pool into an interactive, multiplayer experience that can accom‑ modate up to a dozen people at once. Each one is a canvas for animations, targets, and challenges that appear and disappear as the game progresses. Instead of aiming for pockets alone, players might be asked to hit glowing zones that ripple across the cloth, trigger chain reactions, or unlock bonus rounds. Another major format is the team‑based challenge mode, which allows up to a dozen players to compete in rotating turns. The technology automatically assigns points, handicaps, and pow‑ er-ups based on each player’s skill level, allowing beginners and experts to improve or elevate their skills. A newcomer might re‑ ceive a ‘double‑points’ boost or a larger target zone, while a confi‑ dent player might be challenged to hit a specific ball or complete a trickier shot. There’s also a timed speed‑play mode, which turns the table into a race against the clock. Instead of taking turns, players sprint through rapid‑fire challenges, potting as many balls or hitting as many targets as possible before the timer runs out. The table flashes countdowns, the soundtrack intensifies, and the whole experience becomes a high‑energy burst of chaos and precision. It’s particularly popular with groups who want something more adrenaline‑fuelled than traditional pool. For purists, Poolhouse includes a modernised version of classic pool. The system automatically tracks fouls, illegal shots, and break speeds, eliminating rule debates and allowing players to focus on strategy. It can also offer optional guidance such as sub‑ tle visual hints, trajectory lines, or difficulty adjustments. Even in this more traditional mode, the table’s responsiveness adds a layer of polish, making the game feel sharper and more cinematic. Overall, Poolhouse is an exciting and breathtaking social venue enhancing the game of pool with cutting-edge technology and immersive design. It knocks the traditional sport out of the ball‑ park and replaces it with strategic gameplay that will have you hooked for hours and vying against your friends. Even if you’re not looking to pick up a cue, there is plenty of space to enjoy the venue’s ambience and its drinks and food offerings. Poolhouse is open 12 pm to 11 pm on Monday and Tuesday, 12 pm to 12 am on Wednesday, 12 pm to 1 am on Thursday and Fri‑ day, 11 am to 1 am on Saturday, and 11 am to 11 pm on Sunday. Poolhouse 100 Liverpool Street London EC2M 2AT Tel: 020 3826 8888 www.pool.house