Here in the Valley of the Sun most of the places to play pool, are bars,v and sports bars. Think only Kolby's in Tempe by the University of Arizona is close to what a pool room of yester year was.
Back to the bars, and sports bars they in the business of selling alcohol, as the alcohol, and food sales is what pays the bills, not quarters in a bar box, or hourly rate.
If you visit most of these places, and then watch the Spike TV Show Bar Rescue you can relate real fast why these business are not making it.
IMHO most of the owners are clueless how to keep customers, or attract customers. Most IMHO could learn a lot from watching Bar Rescue and correcting some of the problems the bar rescue expert identifies in the show. Simple stuff like a clean environment, and clean rest rooms is a place to start.
Several months ago I went by this fairly big sport bar with let's say over 20 tables, my reason for stoping was to pick up the local pool newspaper. First thing that hit me was the stench smell of old grease coming I assume from in the kitchen. Next I noticed the floors were filthy, and it was like 11 am so the place just opened, and apparently the owner don't care about the smell or appearance.
Got my paper, went back to the car saying to my self this is why I no longer bother to go to these places to play pool, or do tournments.
Most Bars with Bar Boxes charge 50 Cents a game, some are Free Pool with drink purchase opening until 4 PM, Big Table places like the Metro is like 7 bucks a day before 4 or 5 PM.