Bucket List of Pool Halls

K

kollegedave

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a birthday coming up, so I started thinking about pool halls that I would want to visit before my aging ass dies. If there were some pool halls you would want to visit before you die, what would they be / what is the best room in your area or state...?

I am in St. Louis, Missouri, so here is what I can offer:

In Missouri, I think the best room is Cue and Cushion in St. Louis. However, if you are going through St. Louis, then you are likely to pass The Break in East St. Louis (Sauget), which is notorious for great action, and on your way out of Missouri, you would likely pass Olathe, Kansas, which is where you ought to stop in and see Shooters.

I know that I should make a pilgrimage to Hard Times in California, but I am not sure about any other great / historic rooms. I think I should probably see Chris' in Chicago, and I have already played at both Amsterdam Billiards in NYC. Maybe I should check out Capone's in FL. After this, I would not know where to go, what is the best room where you are?

Thanx in advance.

kollegedave
 
Fargo Billiards of course

I would love to see Fargo Billiards...Don't really have any reason to go to North Dakota so it's tough for me to shell out almost a grand for flight and hotel just to see a pool hall. And the weather sucks up there as well. LOL!!!
 
One of the best times of my life was when I went on the road selling Instroke cases. I traveled all over the USA and got to go to many iconic pool rooms. Unfortunately I am not a photo guy so I didn't take images of all the places I have been. Someday I want to take my wife and daughter on a cross country trip and revisit some old places and discover the new ones.

On my bucket list, Fargo Billiards, Sandcastle Billiards, John Schmidt's place.
 
JB Cases said:
One of the best times of my life was when I went on the road selling Instroke cases. I traveled all over the USA and got to go to many iconic pool rooms. Unfortunately I am not a photo guy so I didn't take images of all the places I have been. Someday I want to take my wife and daughter on a cross country trip and revisit some old places and discover the new ones.

On my bucket list, Fargo Billiards, Sandcastle Billiards, John Schmidt's place.
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John,

You'll love Sandcastle Billiards! Ed is one of the most friendly people in the business.
John Schmidt's place is like stepping back into the old days, very nostalgic. John is also exceptionally friendly.
He may be considering a new location in Wheeling.

I too would like to visit Fargo Billiards and meet Mike in person.
 
Mickey Qualls said:
Hank's in Denver, because I want to see what all the hulabaloo is about the water there.........:thumbup:
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Hank's is an iconic room, but there's no more free water at Hank's. In its former life it was the Family Fun Center, and I saw lots of road players there. Eddie Kelley, Bill Staton, Buddy Hall, Bill Stroud, many others. And they had free water. (The water issue is mostly a big joke).

There's still action at Hank's, but some of it has moved to Felts I heard.
 
If you get the chance, spend one evening at One Side Pool Room in Manila. You want action? You got! And you do not need to give any weight to get it. All you gotta have is the cash.

Warning: Fire no air barrels in Manila.
 
mrsmith1976...Fargo Billiards wins the poolroom lottery hands down, as the best room in North America. Mike really did his homework before opening this incredible room. Besides the weather is only crappy in the winter! LOL

BTW, my pm box is back open, so if you would please resend your pm...:D

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

mrsmith1976 said:
I would love to see Fargo Billiards...Don't really have any reason to go to North Dakota so it's tough for me to shell out almost a grand for flight and hotel just to see a pool hall. And the weather sucks up there as well. LOL!!!
Click to expand...
 
kollegedave said:
I have a birthday coming up, so I started thinking about pool halls that I would want to visit before my aging ass dies. If there were some pool halls you would want to visit before you die, what would they be / what is the best room in your area or state...?

I am in St. Louis, Missouri, so here is what I can offer:

In Missouri, I think the best room is Cue and Cushion in St. Louis. However, if you are going through St. Louis, then you are likely to pass The Break in East St. Louis (Sauget), which is notorious for great action, and on your way out of Missouri, you would likely pass Olathe, Kansas, which is where you ought to stop in and see Shooters.

I know that I should make a pilgrimage to Hard Times in California, but I am not sure about any other great / historic rooms. I think I should probably see Chris' in Chicago, and I have already played at both Amsterdam Billiards in NYC. Maybe I should check out Capone's in FL. After this, I would not know where to go, what is the best room where you are?

Thanx in advance.

kollegedave
Click to expand...


Was just in the Philadelphia area, and played at Drexeline Billiards, in Drexel Hill, PA (http://www.drexelinebilliards.com/). This was Jimmy Caras' "home poolroom" at the end of his playing life. The equipment is in top shape. Lots of great billiards memorabilia, and Bob Maidhoff can tell you the stories that go with it.

A great, old-time poolroom, with old wood cue lockers (but new cloth on the tables), and a lunch counter (!) is Cap's Cue Club on Teall Ave in Syracuse, NY. All of the great Central and Upstate New York pros over many decades -- from Crane, Cranfield and Joe Canton to Danny DiLiberto to Mike Zuglan and Dennis Hatch -- have played there.

I believe the Pocket Billiard Lounge, in Binghamton, NY, is still open. That is also a historic room which hosted many major events.

Larry
 
Theres a room in Pismo beach California. It is an old movie theater converted to a pool room. It has the cast decoration all around the room and the stage is the kitchen, dining area. Plus it is one block from the ocean.
The other place I used to love was Fast Eddys in Santa Cruz when they first opened. Barn wood, booming kitchen, lots of fun.
If you want room and action, California Billiards in Mt View. I keep thinking about moving to the coast, but I don't want to be too far away from the action.
 
Great thread , thanks. I am getting ready to travel and am also looking for nostalgic rooms, rooms with lots of great players and places with great one pocket .
 
Man this thread just will not go away. Maybe someone could make some t-shirts. "Hanks Billiards. Where chalk is free but water aint" or "Hanks Billiards where pool is free on Wednesdays but not water"
 
kybill9 said:
Theres a room in Pismo beach California. It is an old movie theater converted to a pool room. It has the cast decoration all around the room and the stage is the kitchen, dining area. Plus it is one block from the ocean.
The other place I used to love was Fast Eddys in Santa Cruz when they first opened. Barn wood, booming kitchen, lots of fun.
If you want room and action, California Billiards in Mt View. I keep thinking about moving to the coast, but I don't want to be too far away from the action.
Click to expand...

THANK you for mentioning that Pismo room!!!!

I loved that room but could never remember where it was! It was always stuck in the middle of long road trips where the towns all ran together in my hazy memory! I never forget a room layout, but the name or the town... poof.

Thanks to your mention I found they have a website. Must go back soon.

Nothing ever happened there (that I know of) but it was always such a great room on it's own.
 
I would have to say Chelseas in NY. Not sure if they are still open or not, but we pulled an all nighter about 10 years ago. 4 of us left Plaza billiards in Rahway NJ at about 12:30 and drove to Chelseas. As soon as we got in (about 1:30) there were 3 guys old as dirt, no offence to the elders out there, Im talking grim reaper type, just hawking the two tables where we were shooting. You know that they were the type that could run 100 without blinking. stayed until the sun rose just exchanging money between ourselves. Just a fun experience that i will never forget. I was going along hoping to see the big money games you would hear about before everyone started playing cards, but no luck.

Mike
 
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