Denver Pool Halls Closing

I stopped at Table Stakes on my way home today to see if a stay of execution took place. Just a sign on the door, most likely from the landlord that said closed due to eviction and we are hoping to open the space up in a few months as a pool hall and bar. I know most of you have never seen this place but it is all that. Frank built a beautiful pool hall.
 
I just heard that Rack Em has closed too, anybody know if this is true?

And the rates for Match Up's are $3/hr 3-6PM; $4/hr after 6PM. They are also offering a special for Monday nights, $5 for unlimited play after 5PM.

Dave
 
Colorado Springs is not much better, we are literally down to one pool hall worth going to...Antiques. And it leaves plenty to be desired.

Billiards Institute BI, Colfax Billiards, Table Steaks, Colorado Cue club, Shakespears, Sticks in the Springs, The Rack in Boulder, are all long gone.

Seriously, what is left in Denver worth going to? Hanks?....I've heard that place is run down. Rack'em?...not too great IMO. The Wynkoop?...should not even be on a list. The Bit in Longmont?...poorly managed and a waste of space.

It's the death of pool in Colorado IMO.
 
I was at Hank's last night and it was great to see most of the TS/BI crowd in there. Hank had a huge smile on his face the whole night. His room has the most character out of the Denver pool rooms, open or closed, in my mind. It is a players room, no bling just great tables that are cleaned daily along with the balls. When I got in at 6 or so, there were 30+ people around the 5x10's playing or sweating the Golf action. Not too shabby for a Monday night.

Kai
 
sokaiba said:
I was at Hank's last night and it was great to see most of the TS/BI crowd in there. Hank had a huge smile on his face the whole night. His room has the most character out of the Denver pool rooms, open or closed, in my mind. It is a players room, no bling just great tables that are cleaned daily along with the balls. When I got in at 6 or so, there were 30+ people around the 5x10's playing or sweating the Golf action. Not too shabby for a Monday night.

Kai
Click to expand...

That's great news. I only get into Hanks during the daytime -- can't drive at night. That room has more character and more history than any other in town.
 
Hanks be it....

Looks like the old birds will roost again at the FFC/Paradise/Hanks, just hope he doesn't run out of food, and how about those Thur nights?
 
Hank and his wife and kids all run the place. They always have a smile on their faces. Their good people. This is one model that works, family only, no employees and I'm assuming very reasonable rent. Not a get rich deal but a way to make a living being around what they love and do best and that is playing pool. This is a place where if you asked them to turn down the music for you it would get done right away, no I'll ask so and so if its ok and never get done. The smothered burritos are the best. This place is as old school as it gets. The problem is now it may get so busy you wont get a table so easy. By the way my daughter lives in Ft. Collins and I get to Match Ups (Shane's hangout at times). It is a very cool place.
 
I don't think he is going to be hosting any tourneys if that is what you mean by "Thurs nights". Hank's is more of an action room of late, I don't think he has had any tourneys outside of his leagues in a year or two. It would also be hard to run one on 7 tables without it being an all day or all weekend affair. And I'm sorry to say that most pool players are pretty cheap unless they can make money off of it. Plus Hank isn't real keen on charging "green fees", he'd rather see all the money go back out to the players, which is how he runs his leagues. I'll chat with him a little next time I'm in.

Kai
 
Antiques leaves something to be desired? You have well taken care of 9' Diamond Pros, 7' Pro ams and a 12' snooker table...please dont complain about a room like that while everyone up here was NOWHERE to play. Its also nice to hear about matchups in foco, but serisouly thats an hour away. who's gunna drive an hour everytime they want to play a little.

Im currently looking into putting a room together in boulder, it will be a private deal that will have 5-6 new diamond pros and a gabriels 3C table, but it all depends on the # of members I can presell on the idea.
 
Last edited:
tryhonesty07 said:
Antiques leaves something to be desired? You have well taken care of 9' Diamond Pros, 7' Pro ams and a 12' snooker table...please dont complain about a room like that while everyone up here was NOWHERE to play. QUOTE]

Believe me, I'm not the only one that complains. I'm thrilled to have a place to play, but each and every "player" down here has some no brainer suggestions on how to make the place better. JMO
Click to expand...
 
tryhonesty07 said:
Antiques leaves something to be desired? You have well taken care of 9' Diamond Pros, 7' Pro ams and a 12' snooker table...please dont complain about a room like that while everyone up here was NOWHERE to play. Its also nice to hear about matchups in foco, but serisouly thats an hour away. who's gunna drive an hour everytime they want to play a little.

Im currently looking into putting a room together in boulder, it will be a private deal that will have 5-6 new diamond pros and a gabriels 3C table, but it all depends on the # of members I can presell on the idea.
Click to expand...


Remember Diamond has there own 3C table now and it might make the deal better for you. Good luck, I hope it works out.:cool:


Salamander said:
Yep. FFC, then Paradise,...now Hanks.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I had heard about this place for years but thought it was on Colfax.
 
Already have the 3C table. Thanks for the info though, didn't know they made them.
 
Last edited:
Antiques

tryhonesty07 said:
Antiques leaves something to be desired? You have well taken care of 9' Diamond Pros, 7' Pro ams and a 12' snooker table...please dont complain about a room like that while everyone up here was NOWHERE to play. Its also nice to hear about matchups in foco, but serisouly thats an hour away. who's gunna drive an hour everytime they want to play a little.

Im currently looking into putting a room together in boulder, it will be a private deal that will have 5-6 new diamond pros and a gabriels 3C table, but it all depends on the # of members I can presell on the idea.
Click to expand...


First and foremost; good luck with a Boulder room.

I do want to add that Antiques really is no pleasure cruise.
Ultimately, it has become a den of thuggery, mayhem and honestly, it's pretty poorly designed and run considering its potential (yes, there ARE 4 Diamond Pro that are stuffed by an over-congested bar area, one GC III that is not perfect and a broken 6x12 that someone decided to use a car jack under to try to center it under its light...)
On the bright side, the hired staff are warm and genuine people but the downside has become a long, slippery slope.
Interestingly, the room owner has a second room less than a mile from this location that goes empty night after night that would be ideal to house his 8 9 footers (He has in his possession 6 Diamond 9' pros (2 might be pro-ams) and 8 7' diamonds that could give his "playa" players a real location for serious pool instead of the circus act that goes on nightly just west of Academy and Galley ...
The tables aren't 'poorly' maintained, but they are not properly maintained either... but bring your own balls and rack and come before 7pm and you might enjoy real pool at Antique Billiard Museum.

-Ivan
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top