What's the best pool hall in your town, and why?

9BallPaul

9BallPaul

Banned
In a previous thread, I wrote about Denver pool halls of 50 years ago.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=89402&highlight=denver+pool+halls+'60s

Now that I can afford my own table, I spend much less time in the pool halls, although I miss the pals I once knew. But I still visit the Denver rooms now and again, and here's my take on Denver circa 2011:

Still the champ:Family Fun Center. OK, I grant that it's now called Hank's, but until Hank spends enough money to buy himself a sign, I'm gonna go with the original name. (For a dozen years it was called Paradise, and that's what the sign says outside -- except that a couple letters have blown off. Classy place, as I mentioned.

I've been hanging in this room since high school, when I sneaked out my Dad's Dodge Dart to witness late-night sessions between Billy Stroud, Andy Hudson, Freddy the Jap, Bill Barnes, Tony "Cheese" Ricotta, his son T.J. Ricotta, Tim Cole, Rodney Robitz, Steve Roundsville, and others whose names now escape me.

Today this place remains open, though many of the old Gold Crowns have been replaced with Dynamos. The billiards table recently re-appeared -- always a good sign -- and the old-timers still gather for their daily golf game on the corner snooker table. Leagues keep the place going at night.

During its heyday in the '60s, the best players in the world trooped through the Fun Center. I got to see Eddie Taylor, Bill Staton, Buddy Hall, a guy I think was Jimmy Reid (driving a green Caddy with a trunk full of custom cues) and others lost to memory.

The other room in Denver that gets mentioned is Felt (once known as Table Steaks) and that place draws some good players and features good equipment. In the history department, it's got some years to go.

Also, Melissa Little is the house pro at a downtown joint called Wynkoop Billiards, which sits atop a brewery bar. Nice equipment but no action I've ever seen. Little's main squeeze, Mark Haddad, is now considered top dog in Denver. I've yet to see him play.

That's it for my town. What about yours?
 
9BallPaul said:
In a previous thread, I wrote about Denver pool halls of 50 years ago.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=89402&highlight=denver+pool+halls+'60s

Now that I can afford my own table, I spend much less time in the pool halls, although I miss the pals I once knew. But I still visit the Denver rooms now and again, and here's my take on Denver circa 2011:

Still the champ:Family Fun Center. OK, I grant that it's now called Hank's, but until Hank spends enough money to buy himself a sign, I'm gonna go with the original name. (For a dozen years it was called Paradise, and that's what the sign says outside -- except that a couple letters have blown off. Classy place, as I mentioned.

I've been hanging in this room since high school, when I sneaked out my Dad's Dodge Dart to witness late-night sessions between Billy Stroud, Andy Hudson, Freddy the Jap, Bill Barnes, Tony "Cheese" Ricotta, his son T.J. Ricotta, Tim Cole, Rodney Robitz, Steve Roundsville, and others whose names now escape me.

Today this place remains open, though many of the old Gold Crowns have been replaced with Dynamos. The billiards table recently re-appeared -- always a good sign -- and the old-timers still gather for their daily golf game on the corner snooker table. Leagues keep the place going at night.

During its heyday in the '60s, the best players in the world trooped through the Fun Center. I got to see Eddie Taylor, Bill Staton, Buddy Hall, a guy I think was Jimmy Reid (driving a green Caddy with a trunk full of custom cues) and others lost to memory.

The other room in Denver that gets mentioned is Felt (once known as Table Steaks) and that place draws some good players and features good equipment. In the history department, it's got some years to go.

Also, Melissa Little is the house pro at a downtown joint called Wynkoop Billiards, which sits atop a brewery bar. Nice equipment but no action I've ever seen. Little's main squeeze, Mark Haddad, is now considered top dog in Denver. I've yet to see him play.

That's it for my town. What about yours?
Click to expand...

I think in baltimore we had the best spot for a very long time,we had the best 9ball player in the tri state area from the 70s.80s,and 90s he would play anybody that called first or came bye,it didnt matter who it was,archer,strickland,amdam,rempe,fuscos and many more,that place was running out billiards in dundalk,anybody would get played and bet high too!but those days are gone now vanover is in his 70s and just cant play like he used too!BTW GREAT THREAD THANKS!
 
9BallPaul said:
In a previous thread, I wrote about Denver pool halls of 50 years ago.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=89402&highlight=denver+pool+halls+'60s

Now that I can afford my own table, I spend much less time in the pool halls, although I miss the pals I once knew. But I still visit the Denver rooms now and again, and here's my take on Denver circa 2011:

Still the champ:Family Fun Center. OK, I grant that it's now called Hank's, but until Hank spends enough money to buy himself a sign, I'm gonna go with the original name. (For a dozen years it was called Paradise, and that's what the sign says outside -- except that a couple letters have blown off. Classy place, as I mentioned.

I've been hanging in this room since high school, when I sneaked out my Dad's Dodge Dart to witness late-night sessions between Billy Stroud, Andy Hudson, Freddy the Jap, Bill Barnes, Tony "Cheese" Ricotta, his son T.J. Ricotta, Tim Cole, Rodney Robitz, Steve Roundsville, and others whose names now escape me.

Today this place remains open, though many of the old Gold Crowns have been replaced with Dynamos. The billiards table recently re-appeared -- always a good sign -- and the old-timers still gather for their daily golf game on the corner snooker table. Leagues keep the place going at night.

During its heyday in the '60s, the best players in the world trooped through the Fun Center. I got to see Eddie Taylor, Bill Staton, Buddy Hall, a guy I think was Jimmy Reid (driving a green Caddy with a trunk full of custom cues) and others lost to memory.

The other room in Denver that gets mentioned is Felt (once known as Table Steaks) and that place draws some good players and features good equipment. In the history department, it's got some years to go.

Also, Melissa Little is the house pro at a downtown joint called Wynkoop Billiards, which sits atop a brewery bar. Nice equipment but no action I've ever seen. Little's main squeeze, Mark Haddad, is now considered top dog in Denver. I've yet to see him play.

That's it for my town. What about yours?
Click to expand...
Any place not run by squares who before they decided to go into the pool room business owned a tire store or something and have a clue about the game.
 
richiebalto said:
I think in baltimore we had the best spot for a very long time,we had the best 9ball player in the tri state area from the 70s.80s,and 90s he would play anybody that called first or came bye,it didnt matter who it was,archer,strickland,amdam,rempe,fuscos and many more,that place was running out billiards in dundalk,anybody would get played and bet high too!but those days are gone now vanover is in his 70s and just cant play like he used too!BTW GREAT THREAD THANKS!
Click to expand...

You're welcome. You talking about Guys and Dolls? I played there while stationed at Fort Meade in 1970.

Other great rooms I've visited would include Cochran's on Market Street in San Francisco, and across the street at Palace Billiards. Terrific rooms, great players. Those were the days.

Also, I should mention the 211 Club in Seattle. I wrote an article about the place when it closed a dozen years ago:

http://www.math.washington.edu/~lind/Web/211.html
 
Des Moines

Gotta love big dogs. All but a handful of the 50 some tables are diamonds with about 7 of them being 9ft pros.
 
That's easy, the Galaxy. It's the only pool room in town.

(It really is a nice place run by good people, however.)
 
In the Los Angeles area it would have to be Hard Times in Bellflower. It's a true players room: No alcohol, no video poker and you hardly notice the juke box. Just pool, with a rich history of players, tournaments and action.
 
9BallPaul said:
You're welcome. You talking about Guys and Dolls? I played there while stationed at Fort Meade in 1970.

Other great rooms I've visited would include Cochran's on Market Street in San Francisco, and across the street at Palace Billiards. Terrific rooms, great players. Those were the days.

Also, I should mention the 211 Club in Seattle. I wrote an article about the place when it closed a dozen years ago:

http://www.math.washington.edu/~lind/Web/211.html
Click to expand...

Just read your article on Club211...THANKS for the walk down memory lane. That was one of my favorite pool rooms. I am a bit young (43 y/o), but I remember Palace Billiards like it was yesterday. I used to go in at 7 pm and play the midnight tournament and stay inside till 7 am since I thought the area wasn't too safe to be walking around in the middle of the night. lol
 
floppybear said:
Just read your article on Club211...THANKS for the walk down memory lane. That was one of my favorite pool rooms. I am a bit young (43 y/o), but I remember Palace Billiards like it was yesterday. I used to go in at 7 pm and play the midnight tournament and stay inside till 7 am since I thought the area wasn't too safe to be walking around in the middle of the night. lol
Click to expand...

My stint working for the P.I. was short, but I loved Seattle while I was there. Besides the 211, there was a bar I found that had a bunch of Dynamos and a 6x12 snooker table, of all things. ZooBar, maybe?

Anyway, the Northwest had a pretty strong pool scene going a dozen years ago.
 
Richmond, VA

I am very happy to report that while working this temp job here in Richmond, there are TWO equally great pool rooms, Diamond Billiards and The Side Pocket. Both have well maintained equipment, good staff, and friendly clientele. You'll be happy playing either place.
 
We have 2 really nice rooms here in the Pittsburgh area.

Breakers - Owned by Paul Mottey. Very well kept Diamond tables and 6 well kept Gold Crowns. 1 Diamond bar box and 1 Billiard table. This place attracts the serious shooters, but they also have several leagues including APA.

South Hills Golden Cue - Owned by Jimmy Marino. 18 Very nice Gold Crowns and 1 Billiard table. This place is laid back and friendly and has the young crowd filling up the place on weekends.

Depending on your mood, either place is great to shoot at.
 
Romines in Milwaukee has it pretty locked up. Nice place and nice people.

Terry Romine does a great job of running this place. He's usually there and he not only knows pool but plays awful good too.

He does alot of different promos like poker tournament, fights on the big screen and I'm sure the volley ball leagues will be starting up.

You never know what will be happening next but there's always something.

This place has been there for a long time and I'm sure will be there for alot longer.

If you come to Milwaukee and want to have a good time and play some pool Romines High Pockets is the place.

You can always find some kind of a game there. Always a little action.

See ya there geno.............
 
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9BallPaul said:
In a previous thread, I wrote about Denver pool halls of 50 years ago.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=89402&highlight=denver+pool+halls+'60s

Now that I can afford my own table, I spend much less time in the pool halls, although I miss the pals I once knew. But I still visit the Denver rooms now and again, and here's my take on Denver circa 2011:

Still the champ:Family Fun Center. OK, I grant that it's now called Hank's, but until Hank spends enough money to buy himself a sign, I'm gonna go with the original name. (For a dozen years it was called Paradise, and that's what the sign says outside -- except that a couple letters have blown off. Classy place, as I mentioned.

I've been hanging in this room since high school, when I sneaked out my Dad's Dodge Dart to witness late-night sessions between Billy Stroud, Andy Hudson, Freddy the Jap, Bill Barnes, Tony "Cheese" Ricotta, his son T.J. Ricotta, Tim Cole, Rodney Robitz, Steve Roundsville, and others whose names now escape me.

Today this place remains open, though many of the old Gold Crowns have been replaced with Dynamos. The billiards table recently re-appeared -- always a good sign -- and the old-timers still gather for their daily golf game on the corner snooker table. Leagues keep the place going at night.

During its heyday in the '60s, the best players in the world trooped through the Fun Center. I got to see Eddie Taylor, Bill Staton, Buddy Hall, a guy I think was Jimmy Reid (driving a green Caddy with a trunk full of custom cues) and others lost to memory.

The other room in Denver that gets mentioned is Felt (once known as Table Steaks) and that place draws some good players and features good equipment. In the history department, it's got some years to go.

Also, Melissa Little is the house pro at a downtown joint called Wynkoop Billiards, which sits atop a brewery bar. Nice equipment but no action I've ever seen. Little's main squeeze, Mark Haddad, is now considered top dog in Denver. I've yet to see him play.

That's it for my town. What about yours?
Click to expand...

Is Table Steaks over on Sheridan still the place for action? I need to go out there soon and see some friends that I made when I was there in 2003. Greg Way was a beast and Tony Piazza was sick, giving the owner 15-3 in 1P and crushing..
 
Jamaica Joe's

I would have to say Jamaica Joe's for the Oklahoma City area. Three 9 foot Diamonds, 1 Gold Crown, eleven Diamond bar-boxes and one lonely Valley. All maintained great. With a full grill and drinks, it is a great place to play. :thumbup:
 
Romine's High Pocket. http://www.romineshighpockets.com/home/

It's one of the last real pool halls left in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan areas.

It has that old pool hall feel as well as the updates for the younger crowd. Lots of events on the big screen. Best of both worlds IMHO.

Great food, staff & management.
 
Diamond Billiards Pub in Lexington, KY is hard to beat, if you ask me. 5 or 6 9' Diamond Pro's, 7 or so 7' Diamond bar boxes, which are only 50 cents a play. How can you beat that? $4 per hour on the big boxes.

Nice ambiance and plenty of tourneys and action too. Great pool room!
 
blanezx3 said:
Is Table Steaks over on Sheridan still the place for action? I need to go out there soon and see some friends that I made when I was there in 2003. Greg Way was a beast and Tony Piazza was sick, giving the owner 15-3 in 1P and crushing..
Click to expand...

Sorry to say Table Steaks Sheridan has been shut for at least a couple years. In fact, that name doesn't exist anymore. The place on West Floyd Avenue has been sold and renamed Felt. Haven't seen it yet, but you can read about it elsewhere on this forum, pretty sure.
 
mr cues

Mr Cues in Chamblee ,GA for me it's a little bit longer of a drive than the marietta room but has more of a "pool room" feel .Also it has always been just about like it is right now.Other rooms in the area change managment ,green fees, and overall energy shift so much it's hard to know what to expect when you walk in the door.Cues is just Cues .....I like it and need to go there more .
 
I like AAA in Okc. Two 10' snooker tables, one 10' carom table, four 9' gold crowns, and five 7' Shelties. Good folk and cheap too! Also, and this is big for me, no smoking!!!
 
Pool Hall in Maricopa County AZ (aka Greater Phoenix) that is abot Pool, Not some Juke Box Blasting Bad Music, Hard Liquor & More Drunks than Pool Players, the only place I can think of is Kolby's in Tempe. All the other places to play pool that are not PRIVATE CLUBS, serve Hard Liquor, and have JUKE BOXES. Most are BARS, or Sports Bar and have the BAR Problems. JMHO.
 
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