Folks:
While spending the holidays with my folks out in Littleton, Colorado, I finally had a few days "off" for myself. ("Off" meaning I didn't have to don the toolbelt to repair items around my folks' house, nor do the "Uncle Sean 'lets-his-nieces-and-nephews-ride-him-like-a-horsie-around-the-house' thing".)
Because of concerns with mileage charges on the rental car ("lightness of the wallet" due to gifts, etc.), I unfortunately could not travel very far to find some of the recommended rooms in the area surrounding Littleton (the closest "nice spot" -- "Hank's" -- turned out to be at least a half-hour away).
However, I needed to play -- I was getting withdrawal symptoms (PTs -- "pool tremens?") after not picking up a cue in easily two weeks. My folks mentioned that while driving along Bowles Avenue in Littleton, they saw a huge place called "Fox and Hound" and that it had pool tables easily visible through the front windows.
That's only a mile or so away, so I figured what the heck. This is my trip report from last night...
Place name: Fox and Hound
Address: 8996 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123
Website: http://foxandhound.com/locations/littleton-bowles-ave.aspx
Motif: High-end multi-deck/-floor sports bar with Diamond 9-foot tables clustered throughout in dedicated areas
PROs:
I was surprised to find Diamond tables at a sports bar. These were older Diamonds, to be sure, but I recognized them as soon as I peered through the window -- those distinctive leather pockets, half-hexagonal corner pockets with the heavy black "seams" bisecting each angle, and the small metal tag with the silver Diamond logo on a red background. These were the drop-pocket variety with leather-webbed catch bags and a "clicker ring" at the bottom. They are well-maintained, and you can tell that they clean these tables each night -- the table's wood furnishing had a nice polished gloss, but it certainly wasn't "Pledged" or slick (I made sure to check for that before playing). As mentioned above, the cloth could use a little regimented *proper* brushing, since nap cloth was installed on these tables (their staff is, shall we say, the "college kid" variety, so they might not be aware that nap cloth is supposed to be brushed only in the head-to-foot direction). However, after playing a bit, I found the tables to be perfectly level, and the rails/cushions to be true -- I played some short-rack banks and was happy with the table's performance, banking at all speeds.
The wait staff was excellent -- if you even "ponder" having another beer or your food plate to be taken away, they were right there. If you made eye contact with the wait staff, they came right over to you, even if they were already burdened-down taking away clusters of empty glasses and plates.
$2.00 draft pints -- can't beat that! I had a couple pints of Guinness, and my glass was "carefully monitored" by the wait staff.
I actually had to wave them off from filling my glass one more time beyond my final one. Now that's service!
Although the pool tables are probably most used by "non-serious" players, I found myself in an interesting situation, when, after I got loosened up with a little slam-ball, I racked up for a little 14.1 practice, and set myself up with a break ball. I think I was in the middle of a 30-ball run, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a couple of 20-somethings watching me play. (The table next to me had about six college-agers obviously playing 8-ball, and I think they were playing doubles, but I wasn't paying much attention.) The two watching me, a guy and a gal, had these really confused looks on their faces, like "what in the &^% are you playing??" I finally realized where I was -- "we ain't in NY anymore, Toto!" I explained to them I was playing straight pool, and briefly explained what the rules were. I explained that the goal of this game isn't stripes or solids, or the black 8-ball, but more of numbers -- to keep running balls until you miss, or else have no shot and have to play a safety. Interestingly, the girl seemed more interested than the guy. She was asking questions, and the guy tried to inject his show of knowledge, but after I very politely corrected him (or said something to the effect of "yes, you could play it that way, but if you miss, you sell out...") he turned and redirected his attention to the game on his own table. The girl, on the other hand, seemed enthralled with the strategy and patterns in straight pool, and continued to watch, once in a while stopping me to ask questions about why I shot that ball, and not the easier one into the side pocket, etc. I explained to her the pattern I was going after by using the path of the cue ball (cue ball control), the concept of the remaining balls being ever more crucial in how you play them, to arrive at a good position on the break ball, etc. She "got it." I gathered straight pool intrigued her as a "thinking person's game," and later on, she said just that.
After a while, it became obvious that the guy was getting a little miffed that his girl was spending more time directing her focus at the goings-on at my table than at his, so I had to do some damage control. I made it a point while he was playing to commend him on a nice shot, nice setup for the next ball, a nice "out," etc -- even more than I'd do normally. This seemed to do the trick, and I can tell he relaxed a lot more. When they left, they both thanked me, and she said she was going to try some 14.1 the next time they play. (And I hope they do.)
My play wasn't particularly spectacular -- mostly 40s & 50s, with my high run last night a 66 -- but I had fun nonetheless. I was satiating my pool bug and enjoying some tasty pints of Guinness at the same time, so I wasn't looking to break any personal records. I had fun, and that's what counts. And I highly recommend this Fox and Hound location to anyone looking for the same type of pool-playing experience. It's expensive, yes, and I'm sure the prices are better during non-peak times. But for a couple hours of pool while out-of-town, it did the trick for me.
Hope you enjoyed this trip report!
-Sean
While spending the holidays with my folks out in Littleton, Colorado, I finally had a few days "off" for myself. ("Off" meaning I didn't have to don the toolbelt to repair items around my folks' house, nor do the "Uncle Sean 'lets-his-nieces-and-nephews-ride-him-like-a-horsie-around-the-house' thing".)
Because of concerns with mileage charges on the rental car ("lightness of the wallet" due to gifts, etc.), I unfortunately could not travel very far to find some of the recommended rooms in the area surrounding Littleton (the closest "nice spot" -- "Hank's" -- turned out to be at least a half-hour away).
However, I needed to play -- I was getting withdrawal symptoms (PTs -- "pool tremens?") after not picking up a cue in easily two weeks. My folks mentioned that while driving along Bowles Avenue in Littleton, they saw a huge place called "Fox and Hound" and that it had pool tables easily visible through the front windows.
That's only a mile or so away, so I figured what the heck. This is my trip report from last night...
Place name: Fox and Hound
Address: 8996 W Bowles Ave, Littleton, CO 80123
Website: http://foxandhound.com/locations/littleton-bowles-ave.aspx
Motif: High-end multi-deck/-floor sports bar with Diamond 9-foot tables clustered throughout in dedicated areas
PROs:
- Diamond 9-foot tables in good condition, good rails/cushions for banking, durable (and clean!) nap cloth
- Good pocket-cut on those Diamond pockets. I played a bit of "slam-ball" initially to loosen up, and as long as I hit the pocket good, the ball fell. If I hit the pocket badly, it bobbled -- which is as it should be with a ball hit at speed.
- Wall-abushkas (house cues) are two-piece stainless steel-jointed cues in decent condition -- every one I inspected had a good tip on it, that was properly shaped and scuffed. Not all of them were "perfectly" straight, but hey, these are house cues after all. I was able to find one that was reasonably straight.
- Pool areas are cordoned-off from the rest of the restaurant and sports areas (and the entrance to each pool area is monitored by a manned wait staff counter -- so those that aren't playing pool or associated with those playing, are not allowed to enter or disturb those that are)
- EXCELLENT wait staff -- couldn't ask for better. Not only do they make periodic visits (and they do this without being intrusive or annoying), but if you look up and make eye contact with any one of them -- zzzzziip!! -- they come right over, asking what you would like.
- Great food and drink -- $2.00 draft pints the night I went there (Tuesday)
- Place has a nice vibe, wasn't overcrowded, music at low volume / quiet (although I can imagine on game night this place could be loud)
- Since the Diamond tables are covered with durable nap cloth, they could use more periodic brushing to keep the nap in the right direction. There were places in the head string area where there were visible swirls from either patrons or staff trying to rub chalk marks out of the cloth with a swirling motion of their hand, or something like that. But at the same time, at least the cloth was CLEAN!
- Don't expect to find your average pool hall player/patron or serious players here. I saw mostly college kids here for a good time -- not that there's anything wrong with that.
- Balls could use a little polishing regimen more often. I mean, they weren't bad, but by pool hall standards (at least where I'm from), balls are cleaned and polished at least daily, if not after every two or three rent-outs/uses. I guess I'm spoiled!
- Expensive. Pool here is $10/hr -- at least at the time I went, which is the evening (prime time on Tuesday evening).
I was surprised to find Diamond tables at a sports bar. These were older Diamonds, to be sure, but I recognized them as soon as I peered through the window -- those distinctive leather pockets, half-hexagonal corner pockets with the heavy black "seams" bisecting each angle, and the small metal tag with the silver Diamond logo on a red background. These were the drop-pocket variety with leather-webbed catch bags and a "clicker ring" at the bottom. They are well-maintained, and you can tell that they clean these tables each night -- the table's wood furnishing had a nice polished gloss, but it certainly wasn't "Pledged" or slick (I made sure to check for that before playing). As mentioned above, the cloth could use a little regimented *proper* brushing, since nap cloth was installed on these tables (their staff is, shall we say, the "college kid" variety, so they might not be aware that nap cloth is supposed to be brushed only in the head-to-foot direction). However, after playing a bit, I found the tables to be perfectly level, and the rails/cushions to be true -- I played some short-rack banks and was happy with the table's performance, banking at all speeds.
The wait staff was excellent -- if you even "ponder" having another beer or your food plate to be taken away, they were right there. If you made eye contact with the wait staff, they came right over to you, even if they were already burdened-down taking away clusters of empty glasses and plates.
$2.00 draft pints -- can't beat that! I had a couple pints of Guinness, and my glass was "carefully monitored" by the wait staff.
I actually had to wave them off from filling my glass one more time beyond my final one. Now that's service!Although the pool tables are probably most used by "non-serious" players, I found myself in an interesting situation, when, after I got loosened up with a little slam-ball, I racked up for a little 14.1 practice, and set myself up with a break ball. I think I was in the middle of a 30-ball run, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a couple of 20-somethings watching me play. (The table next to me had about six college-agers obviously playing 8-ball, and I think they were playing doubles, but I wasn't paying much attention.) The two watching me, a guy and a gal, had these really confused looks on their faces, like "what in the &^% are you playing??" I finally realized where I was -- "we ain't in NY anymore, Toto!"
I explained to them I was playing straight pool, and briefly explained what the rules were. I explained that the goal of this game isn't stripes or solids, or the black 8-ball, but more of numbers -- to keep running balls until you miss, or else have no shot and have to play a safety. Interestingly, the girl seemed more interested than the guy. She was asking questions, and the guy tried to inject his show of knowledge, but after I very politely corrected him (or said something to the effect of "yes, you could play it that way, but if you miss, you sell out...") he turned and redirected his attention to the game on his own table. The girl, on the other hand, seemed enthralled with the strategy and patterns in straight pool, and continued to watch, once in a while stopping me to ask questions about why I shot that ball, and not the easier one into the side pocket, etc. I explained to her the pattern I was going after by using the path of the cue ball (cue ball control), the concept of the remaining balls being ever more crucial in how you play them, to arrive at a good position on the break ball, etc. She "got it." I gathered straight pool intrigued her as a "thinking person's game," and later on, she said just that.After a while, it became obvious that the guy was getting a little miffed that his girl was spending more time directing her focus at the goings-on at my table than at his, so I had to do some damage control. I made it a point while he was playing to commend him on a nice shot, nice setup for the next ball, a nice "out," etc -- even more than I'd do normally. This seemed to do the trick, and I can tell he relaxed a lot more. When they left, they both thanked me, and she said she was going to try some 14.1 the next time they play. (And I hope they do.)
My play wasn't particularly spectacular -- mostly 40s & 50s, with my high run last night a 66 -- but I had fun nonetheless. I was satiating my pool bug and enjoying some tasty pints of Guinness at the same time, so I wasn't looking to break any personal records. I had fun, and that's what counts. And I highly recommend this Fox and Hound location to anyone looking for the same type of pool-playing experience. It's expensive, yes, and I'm sure the prices are better during non-peak times. But for a couple hours of pool while out-of-town, it did the trick for me.
Hope you enjoyed this trip report!
-Sean
