Livingston's (South) mini review
Just moved to Sarasota/Venice area from Jersey. Noticed this thread and thought I'd chime in. I went to Livingston's (the one on Clark Road) to see for myself, and was actually surprised to find a really nice room with Brunswick 9 footers in pretty good shape. Some had brand new cloth (that played slower than 860HR, but what the hey) and lots of tables and chairs with Tiffany style lamps above them. There were servers to take my drink order, and would have bought food, but I wasn't hungry.
The place is NON smoking, which is great for me, since I don't smoke. In fact, I don't think there is any other place to play that is non smoking,(especially with 9 footers), but I haven't checked everywhere. Actually, I don't need to keep searching, because this place will work for me.
The main use of this place is for kids that want to do arcade stuff and ride go karts
around. The saving grace, however, is that kids are not allowed in the "Royal Room", and the policy is enforced. There are many 8 footers just outside the RR, and there are lots of kids and families playing, which is fine with me. The good news is that when you get in there and shut the door, the noise of the music, arcade games, yelling, and ball banging is basically gone.
On Monday nights, they have a 10 dollar special, and cheapskate that I am, I played 5 1/2 hours for 10 bucks.
This place seems to have huge potential, but I asked around there and when I
mentioned tournaments or leagues, they looked at me like I was talking in another language. Just outside the RR, there are showcases full of cues, ball sets, and many accessories, but it would seem that they haven't been touched in years. (I'm not sure who you would even ask about the products for sale).
Perhaps at one time, the place was really happening, but I was there for hours, and only one other table was ever used, and it was just a couple on a date. Everybody else in the building, (which was crowded) would just kind of peek in every once in a while and probably wonder who would want to play in the quiet, on such large and difficult tables? That would be me!
By the way, being new here, I'm looking for people to play. Let me know. By the way, I don't gamble, so it's just for fun. I'm a C+/B player, and like all games, especially 14.1 and 1 hole.
Bill (formerly) in jersey