there are at least 12 people who are guaranteed to be here on league night that are guaranteed NOT to be here if they play somewhere else.
Perfect...
Our leagues here run on weeknights, M-Th. The bars are generally slow on these nights. In many of the venues, league players account for the bulk of patrons. In a couple places, they've been the ONLY patrons on a few occasions. I can't imagine it's bad for the bar. I'm in the suburbs and people have jobs and don't do karaoke during the week around here.
Here's the deal. This guy bought the place about 2 years ago after it went under. His experience with a venture of this nature is questionable. I think he poured everything he's got into it. So far, he's done a great job. Remarkably well, actually, considering the current political climate in this state. People are latching on, and business seems to have done a 180 over the previous owners.
Over a year ago I started suggesting he replace the lone POS table, and get leagues in there. This establishment has more than enough space, and the atmosphere is great for pool playing. However, when I brought up leagues, he wasn't the least bit interested. The most I got was, "kids ruin pool tables therefore he keeps the cue ball behind the bar"... No love for pool... On New Years Eve, champagne glasses were stacked on the table like a pyramid. On another night, a buddy and myself had been shooting, when his manager decided to stop us because a band was coming on. The table was at the opposite end of this large building from the stage and seating, with a expansive bar situated in between. Pool wasn't interfering with other patrons or their experience in the least. Not even a little. But this managers attitude seemed contemptuous. (In fairness to the venue, I haven't seen that manager now in a handful of visits and I wonder if he's still there.)
I wanted to provide a little background here but this getting long winded so I'll cut to the chase. A few weeks ago I sent in reps from two different leagues to work on the owner. Rep #1 met with him, took some measurements, and reported back, "He's thinking about it, should hear back in a week." This was a huge breakthrough. Two days later, Rep #2 went in, and the owner flipped. His vendor installed two Diamonds a week later.
The owner told the Reps he is giving it a try, and made clear it was on a trial basis. However, I believe he is setting himself up for failure.
Here's the problem. There's no lights over the tables. (Another "problem" is $2/games, when everywhere else is $1.5. I don't believe this alone will make-or-break most team's decision to play there, but combined with the lighting issue it will be a hard pass).
The first league night was this Monday. On Tuesday, one of the Reps contacted the owner about lights. His response was, "The vendor tried dropping off lights but they don't work with his current layout.. eventually he would figure it out." The truth is, he isn't comfortable with the idea of pool leagues yet, and doesn't want to further commit to two tables by installing lights above them.
I want to see this particular establishment succeed. Leagues bring additional patrons, particularly during weeknight "downtimes". Not to mention new patrons who will continue to visit outside of leagues.
To be honest, I believe the owner was oblivious to the mere existence of pool leagues. I'm glad he's giving it a try. Leagues seem to be a good arrangement for the other host venues. Although, I'm afraid it's not going to work out unless he makes an honest effort... Very little is required to accommodate pool players. For the most part they carry all of their own equipment. However, there is a few small requirements that will make-it-or-brake-it for them.
Ultimately here, he needs lights. I need to convince the owner that leagues will be good, while explaining why half-assing it won't work.