New Hampshire/MA pool halls

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john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm considering a move back to New Hampshire...probably Londonderry or something like that. I'm wondering what's around these days. Not really interested in bar tables. I would be interested in some sort of straight pool league, possibly.

I don't remember where I used to play when I lived in southern NH. I think there was a place in Nashua, and maybe some place in Lowell too (though the place in Lowell was more like an annoying club atmosphere, I think....but I don't remember anymore). When I lived in Rochester, there used to be a pool hall right in town, and I also used to play at Paddy's when they opened.

Anyhow, just wondering what the scene is like. Where I live in Connecticut, it's very slim picking at the moment.
 
hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
You say there is slim pickings in CT? Pool Table Magic, the room Jayson Shaw plays in (US1 I think), the room Larry Liscoti started World Championship Billiards, Yale Billiards, Snookers in RI is not too far from many areas in CT


In NH, the last Boston Billiards left open is there, not a bad room. Not bad tables, standard Gold Crowns, clean.

East of that is Grand China (never been but KMRUNOUT likes that place), Crow's Nest (been a few times, nice place, 8 foot Diamonds), Maximillians (was Billiards Digest new room of the year when it opened, but I never went there)

A bit South of NH is The Billiards Cafe in Ayer, my main room. Best atmosphere you'll find in New England I think, not a lot of action but sure is a great relaxing place. The guy that runs the leagues there did have a Straight Pool league for a season or two but not enough players were into that, along with a One Pocket league, so that died. Have a 12' snooker table there and a 7' Diamond.

Further from NH is Stix and Stones and Amazin, both good rooms. Amazin may have the best setup Gold Crowns in the area, but their european tables play funny,although also nice. Have plenty of 3 cushion tables also.
 
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easy-e

easy-e

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I played at Boston Billiard Club when I was in Nashua. Clean, quiet, tables in good condition, nice menu... Definitely my choice of pool rooms in that area.
 
J

john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
hang-the-9 said:
You say there is slim pickings in CT? Pool Table Magic, the room Jayson Shaw plays in (US1 I think), the room Larry Liscoti started World Championship Billiards, Yale Billiards, Snookers in RI is not too far from many areas in CT


In NH, the last Boston Billiards left open is there, not a bad room. Not bad tables, standard Gold Crowns, clean.

East of that is Grand China (never been but KMRUNOUT likes that place), Crow's Nest (been a few times, nice place, 8 foot Diamonds), Maximillians (was Billiards Digest new room of the year when it opened, but I never went there)

A bit South of NH is The Billiards Cafe in Ayer, my main room. Best atmosphere you'll find in New England I think, not a lot of action but sure is a great relaxing place. The guy that runs the leagues there did have a Straight Pool league for a season or two but not enough players were into that, along with a One Pocket league, so that died. Have a 12' snooker table there and a 7' Diamond.
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Thanks! Yale and Snookers are both pretty far away from me. I'm a little east of Hartford. Pool Table Magic is great...just took a lesson with Mark, and heading up there tonight, in fact. It's not particularly convenient to where I live. It's about a 30 minute drive with no traffic, and they're closed Monday and Tuesdays.

I currently play at World Championship Billiards. It's really the only thing in my area that's a reasonable distance and is actually open everyday. Owner is doing his best, but I think it was a bit different when Larry had it. :)

The place in Nashua I was thinking about must be Boston Billiards. Glad to see it's still there!
 
hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
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john coloccia said:
Thanks! Yale and Snookers are both pretty far away from me. I'm a little east of Hartford. Pool Table Magic is great...just took a lesson with Mark, and heading up there tonight, in fact. It's not particularly convenient to where I live. It's about a 30 minute drive with no traffic, and they're closed Monday and Tuesdays.

I currently play at World Championship Billiards. It's really the only thing in my area that's a reasonable distance and is actually open everyday. Owner is doing his best, but I think it was a bit different when Larry had it. :)

The place in Nashua I was thinking about must be Boston Billiards. Glad to see it's still there!
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30 mins is not long at all, my drive is usually 45 min to 1 hr to get to the rooms I like.

I played in the weekend tournament a few times with my son at World Championship, maybe you saw us there. Usually a bunch of guys playing 3 cushion there during the tournament time. Depending on where you end up living, Billiards Cafe has a Tue night tournament I play in every week.
 
Joe_Jaguar

Joe_Jaguar

AzB Silver Member
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john coloccia said:
Thanks! Yale and Snookers are both pretty far away from me. I'm a little east of Hartford. Pool Table Magic is great...just took a lesson with Mark, and heading up there tonight, in fact. It's not particularly convenient to where I live. It's about a 30 minute drive with no traffic, and they're closed Monday and Tuesdays.

I currently play at World Championship Billiards. It's really the only thing in my area that's a reasonable distance and is actually open everyday. Owner is doing his best, but I think it was a bit different when Larry had it. :)

The place in Nashua I was thinking about must be Boston Billiards. Glad to see it's still there!
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Now that Boston Billiards has added a casino it will be interesting to see how the pool still is...
 
1pocket

1pocket

Steve Booth
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I know there are a couple guys that do play straight pool at Boston Billiards.

Both Grand China and Crow's Nest are almost entirely 8' tables. Crow's Nest is all 8' Diamonds -- very nice tables, but not 9'. Grand China has one 9' table and the rest are 8'.

I play in Manchester, which has a network of private clubs that host most of the pool in Manchester, although there is a small poolroom just north of Manchester -- the Cue and Cushion -- but the better players will not be found there, they are in the clubs. The main problem with the clubs is that they are still allowed to smoke in them because they are 'private' clubs. The tables in the clubs are mostly very well maintained 9' tables such as various vintage Gold Crowns. The other thing is that Manchester has their own local game -- Around the World, that for newcomers takes a bit of getting used to lol. Even though the clubs are "private", you are welcome as a guest and to join is only about 20-25 a year, and the pool time cost is ZERO lol. No wonder the pool players are in the clubs!

We also have several USAPL and other active leagues, in and out of the clubs. Also, I run an American Rotation division in Manchester with 14 of the upper half skill level players from the area -- it's definitely competitive.
 
J

john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
1pocket said:
I know there are a couple guys that do play straight pool at Boston Billiards.

Both Grand China and Crow's Nest are almost entirely 8' tables. Crow's Nest is all 8' Diamonds -- very nice tables, but not 9'. Grand China has one 9' table and the rest are 8'.

I play in Manchester, which has a network of private clubs that host most of the pool in Manchester, although there is a small poolroom just north of Manchester -- the Cue and Cushion -- but the better players will not be found there, they are in the clubs. The main problem with the clubs is that they are still allowed to smoke in them because they are 'private' clubs. The tables in the clubs are mostly very well maintained 9' tables such as various vintage Gold Crowns. The other thing is that Manchester has their own local game -- Around the World, that for newcomers takes a bit of getting used to lol. Even though the clubs are "private", you are welcome as a guest and to join is only about 20-25 a year, and the pool time cost is ZERO lol. No wonder the pool players are in the clubs!

We also have several USAPL and other active leagues, in and out of the clubs. Also, I run an American Rotation division in Manchester with 14 of the upper half skill level players from the area -- it's definitely competitive.
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Thanks! I didn't know there were private pool clubs in Manchester. I wonder how I missed that when I lived in the area? I will definitely check them out too.
 
PocketSpeed11

PocketSpeed11

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Grand China was my go-to bar in my early 20s. In fact, I got my 2nd DWI in the parking lot, which was the final straw in precipitating my now more than 12 year sobriety. Never did touch a pool cue there. I didn't start playing until just over 6 years ago and I haven't even been back to New England in a decade. It's my father's favorite place to play in the area. In the years since I left it has been transformed from a bar with a couple tables to a pool hall that serves drinks...not to mention it's always included a Chinese restaurant. Good eatin'!
 
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J

john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
PocketSpeed11 said:
Grand China was my go-to bar in my early 20s. In fact, I got my 2nd DWI in the parking lot, which was the final straw in precipitating my now more than 12 year sobriety. Never did touch a pool cue there. I didn't start playing until just over 6 years ago and I haven't even been back to New England in a decade. It's my father's favorite place to play in the area. In the years since I left it has been transformed from a bar with a couple tables to a pool hall that serves drinks...not to mention it's always included a Chinese restaurant. Good eatin'!
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They were there even back when I lived in Salem....1998, or so. I don't remember ever eating there, and I don't remember pool tables. I wonder if they're new or if they're always been there?

That was a pretty busy time for me. I don't remember much, to be honest.
 
J

jGrz

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Double tournament that is running at grand China today

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E

erica

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
There is a really good straight pool league at Busters Billiards in Somersworth NH. It is about an hour North of Boston, and 20 minutes from Portsmouth NH. Great players and good 9 foot tables. Also, APA and TAP leagues.

Erica
 
J

john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
erica said:
There is a really good straight pool league at Busters Billiards in Somersworth NH. It is about an hour North of Boston, and 20 minutes from Portsmouth NH. Great players and good 9 foot tables. Also, APA and TAP leagues.

Erica
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Busters is where I used to play when I live in Rochester. Nice place. Glad to hear it's still around.
 
J

john coloccia

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey, just want to say thanks to everyone who's helping out with this. I really had no idea that it was this strong back in my old stomping grounds. It gives me some warm fuzzies knowing that there's a lot going on, especially considering that I haven't lived there in 15 years so it's all going to be pretty new to me again.
 
PocketSpeed11

PocketSpeed11

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john coloccia said:
They were there even back when I lived in Salem....1998, or so. I don't remember ever eating there, and I don't remember pool tables. I wonder if they're new or if they're always been there?

That was a pretty busy time for me. I don't remember much, to be honest.
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Salem is my hometown and Grand China was there all my life. I believe they opened in either the late 70s or early 80s. I know they had at least one pool table early on because the current owner (the previous owners' son) fell in love with pool from playing there as a kid. I can only recollect my drinking days there, back in the early 2000s. I believe they had like 3 tables there then. Judging from the picture posted in this thread, it looks vastly different now. My moving back there won't ever be in the cards, but boy it sure would be nice having a place like that to go to.
 
J

jGrz

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
john coloccia said:
Those are 8' tables?
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I am pretty sure they are oversized 8 foot tables. There is also one 9 foot gold crown with 4" pockets.

Overall it is a great place to play with a great group of people.

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