The best birthday party places in Brooklyn give your group games to play, food to share and a bar to gather around, all in one room. SET Lounge & Billiards does exactly that at two Brooklyn locations, with American pool, Russian pyramid billiards, ping pong, mini bowling, air hockey and darts, a full kitchen, signature cocktails and private events that start at $70 per person. This guide covers what makes a great group birthday spot, the game-based ideas that keep everyone moving, the food and drinks, the family policy for parties with kids, and exactly how to book.
What makes a great group birthday spot
A great group birthday spot gives people something to do together, not just a table to sit at. When your friends or coworkers arrive on different schedules, a venue built around games keeps early arrivals busy and gives late arrivals something to jump into. SET works for birthdays because the games, the kitchen and the bar are all under one roof, so nobody has to leave for dinner or drinks. You can rack a game of pool, order a plate of food, watch a match on the big screens and keep the party in one place from start to finish. If you want a room that does all of that, the party venue in Brooklyn pages walk through both of our spaces.
Birthday ideas built around games
Build the party around a game and the night plans itself. SET gives you six ways to play, and each one sets a different tone for the group.
- American pool. The classic choice, easy for beginners and competitive enough for regulars. $10 per hour per player with two or more players.
- Russian pyramid billiards. An Eastern European cue sport with larger, heavier balls and much tighter pockets than American pool, so it rewards precision and patience. Offered at the Brighton Beach venue for $11 per hour per player. Learn more on the pyramid billiards page.
- Ping pong. Fast, social and great for a bracket-style birthday tournament. $10 per hour per player.
- Mini bowling. A compact take on bowling that plays well for mixed-age groups. $15 per hour per player.
- Air hockey and darts. Quick head-to-head games for the guests who want to keep the energy up. Darts run $10 per hour per player.
Want to keep the bill simple? The $20 Unlimited Games deal covers pool, ping pong, mini bowling and darts every day until 7 PM, which is ideal for a daytime birthday that runs long. There is a one hour minimum on all games, and students get a discount on daytime games with a valid ID, so ask staff when you arrive.
Food from a full kitchen
You do not have to order in, because both SET venues run a full kitchen. That means your group eats where it plays, with no delivery apps and no leaving to find dinner. Order shareable plates between games and keep the food coming as the party grows. Please note there is no outside food or drink allowed, so let SET handle the menu for the group. You can preview the food at the Brighton Beach location on the menu, and the McDonald Avenue kitchen has its own menu too.
Drinks and the bar
SET is a full sports bar, with signature cocktails from $14 to $16, big screens and free UFC watch parties at the Brighton Beach venue. Time your birthday around a fight card or a big game and the room does the entertaining for you. Guests who are 21 and older need a valid ID to drink. The McDonald Avenue location adds a hookah program for guests 21 and up, the only SET venue that offers it, with regular flavors at $50 and premium at $70.
Private events, kids and corporate packages
SET hosts private events starting at $70 per person, with dedicated packages for both kids and corporate groups. A private booking gives your birthday a defined plan for games, food and drinks so you are not improvising on the night. For a milestone birthday, a company celebration or a team outing, the corporate event package structures the whole evening around your group. For a child’s birthday, the kids party package keeps the games age-appropriate and the timing daytime-friendly. You can compare what is included across options on the packages page before you call.
The under-21 policy for family parties
Minors are welcome at SET earlier in the day when a parent or guardian is present, which makes daytime birthdays the right window for family parties. Guests under 21 are not admitted after 8 PM on Friday and Saturday, so plan a kids or family celebration to start and finish before that cutoff. Anyone 21 and older still needs a valid ID for alcohol at any hour. Booking a daytime private event is the cleanest way to run a family birthday, since the $20 Unlimited Games deal also runs until 7 PM and pairs well with an afternoon party.
How to book, both venues and both phones
Book a birthday by calling the venue you want directly. Private events are arranged by phone, so pick your location and dial.
- Brighton Beach (flagship): 3200 Coney Island Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235. Call (347) 508-3200. Open Mon to Thu 2pm to 2am, Fri 2pm to 4am, Sat 12pm to 4am, Sun 12pm to 2am. This is the venue with Russian pyramid billiards, mini bowling, air hockey and free UFC watch parties.
- McDonald Avenue (Gravesend): 1828 McDonald Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11223. Call (718) 758-5999. Open Sun to Thu 2pm to 2am, Fri and Sat 2pm to 4am. This is the venue with the hookah program for guests 21 and up.
When you call, have your date, headcount and the games your group wants in mind, and ask about the private event package that fits your budget. Some events carry a cover charge, so confirm the details when you book. Whether you want a competitive pool night, a family afternoon of mini bowling or a corporate outing with food and drinks, SET gives your Brooklyn birthday a home for the whole party.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a birthday party at SET Lounge cost?
Private events start at $70 per person, with kids and corporate packages available. Individual games range from $10 per hour per player for pool, ping pong and darts to $15 per hour per player for mini bowling, and there is a $20 Unlimited Games deal every day until 7 PM. Call the venue for package details.
Can kids come to a birthday party at SET?
Yes. Minors are welcome earlier in the day when a parent or guardian is present, which makes daytime the best window for family parties. Guests under 21 are not admitted after 8 PM on Friday and Saturday, so plan a kids birthday to finish before that cutoff.
What games can we play for a birthday?
SET offers American pool, Russian pyramid billiards, ping pong, mini bowling, air hockey and darts. Pyramid billiards and mini bowling are at the Brighton Beach venue. There is a one hour minimum on all games.
Which SET Lounge location should I book?
The Brighton Beach flagship at 3200 Coney Island Ave has pyramid billiards, mini bowling, air hockey and free UFC watch parties, reachable at (347) 508-3200. The McDonald Avenue venue at 1828 McDonald Ave adds a hookah program for guests 21 and up, reachable at (718) 758-5999.
How do I book a private birthday event?
Book by phone. Call Brighton Beach at (347) 508-3200 or McDonald Avenue at (718) 758-5999 with your date, headcount and the games you want. Ask about the private event, kids and corporate packages when you call.
