#1 pool hall in america?

V

vapoolplayer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
i was just curious as to what everyone thinks is the best pool establishment they have seen?

i haven't been everywhere in the country, but i've been around a little. i'd have to say that amsterdam billiards is number 1 on my list, i love that place.

although i've heard the one that closed was nice as well, but i never made it there.

even if you aren't well traveled, if you have a nice pool hall in your area, lets hear it.

thanks
 
oh, i almost forgot, lets here about the competition as well, it may not be the best place, but it might have the best players.

the first time i walked into amsterdam, there were about 5 pro's just banging balls around.......LOL. well 4, the other was giving lessons.
 
The Anchorage Billiard Palace (Anchorage, Alaska) is a great room. Mark Griffin owner of BCA Leagues opened it in 1988.14 Mostly antique Brunswick tables maintained on a yearly basis (one Diamond Pro up front mostly used for one pocket), two 6 x 12 golf tables, friendly staff and easy action (just kidding). Magic Mark want to chime in with some history on the tables?

One of the magazines did some sort of national poll one year, it rated pretty high.
 
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vapoolplayer said:
i was just curious as to what everyone thinks is the best pool establishment they have seen?
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When the Corner Pockets were opened around the country, they were set up nice. You could take your kids or play some serious pool. I have heard from 3-4 friends that the Palace Billiards that is run by John Abruzzo in Chicago is a nice place - again serious pool but if your wife doesn't care about pool she would enjoy the place.
John Madden
www.johnmaddencues.com
 
California Billiards is one of the nicest places I've seen. Plenty of room for the players and sweaters. They set it up so that it is rare that anyone would walk by your table when you're playing. Very nice set up!

I love the back room at Hardtimes in Sacramento too. Great tables, equipment and plenty of room for players and sweaters.
 
I would vote for Comet Billiards in NJ if they offer red circle cueballs and get a better table mechanic to stretch their cloth. They have 20 GCIV's, all the A players in the world including several pros but the cloth wrinkles under your bridge hand.

Very nice place though, enough space between tables to do cartwheels.

-Roger
 
vapoolplayer said:
i was just curious as to what everyone thinks is the best pool establishment they have seen?

i haven't been everywhere in the country, but i've been around a little. i'd have to say that amsterdam billiards is number 1 on my list, i love that place.

although i've heard the one that closed was nice as well, but i never made it there.

even if you aren't well traveled, if you have a nice pool hall in your area, lets hear it.

thanks
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Too many. Here's a post from my friend Mike Page, originator of the game FARGO.

Mike Page Pool Hall Review

and

Fred Agnir follow up

I do have to add Chris' in Chicago as one of my favorite nostalgic pool halls, and Gas Lamp Billiards in San Diego (also a Mark Griffin business) as one of favorite upscale places.

Fred
 
It depends on what your idea of "nice" is. If it is an upscale pool room, than this might not be the one for you, but Hard Times in Bellflower is definitely worthy of mention here.
 
Jimmy M. said:
It depends on what your idea of "nice" is. If it is an upscale pool room, than this might not be the one for you, but Hard Times in Bellflower is definitely worthy of mention here.
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wish i would have been playing a few years ago when i lived on the west coast.
 
The backroom of Hardtimes is certainly a player's dream come true. Those stadium seats are great, I saw Ismael Paez taking a nap in one of the rows (I was waiting to see if Efren would show up, saw Paez saunter in with his case and nudged my friend. "He's a pro too, he played Chao in the world championship finals." We tracked him around the room, he was walking around the tables, we were expecting to witness some action, then I guess he got really tired and plonked down to sleep. Sorry for the long story, Hardtimes rock!)

-Roger
 
vapoolplayer said:
i was just curious as to what everyone thinks is the best pool establishment they have seen? i haven't been everywhere in the country, but i've been around a little. i'd have to say that amsterdam billiards is number 1 on my list, i love that place.
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Agreed, Amsterdam Billiards on 77th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in NYC is the best poolroom I've ever been to in America. 30 Gold Crown IV tables, beautiful decor, a full open bar, a luxurious atmosphere, and a lounge with expesnive furniture and a fire place add up to a very pleasant poolroom to spend time in. There are also a few huge screen TVs in the waiting area and televisions all over the poolroom, so if there's any important sporting event going on, you won't miss it. As you enter from the street, a huge picture of Tony Robles is on your left, and a huge picture of Jennifer Barretta is on your right. Once you get inside, it's a pretty good chance you'll see at least one of them. Amsterdam Billiard club is heaven on earth.
 
Lol

sjm said:
Agreed, Amsterdam Billiards on 77th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in NYC is the best poolroom I've ever been to in America. 30 Gold Crown IV tables, beautiful decor, a full open bar, a luxurious atmosphere, and a lounge with expesnive furniture and a fire place add up to a very pleasant poolroom to spend time in. There are also a few huge screen TVs in the waiting area and televisions all over the poolroom, so if there's any important sporting event going on, you won't miss it. As you enter from the street, a huge picture of Tony Robles is on your left, and a huge picture of Jennifer Barretta is on your right. Once you get inside, it's a pretty good chance you'll see at least one of them. Amsterdam Billiard club is heaven on earth.
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Yeh SJM but they don't carry Brandy. What a downer. lol
 
nfty9er said:
Yeh SJM but they don't carry Brandy. What a downer. lol
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Nifty, if you pay me another visit, I'll try to make sure they have some brandy in stock. I had such a great time when you last came by.
 
Here are my favorite rooms in no particular order:

Cue and Cushion St. Louis, MO---decent one pockect action, but a lot of kids

Airway Billiards Dayton, OH---a player's room with diamonds and gold crowns+bar

Rennaissance Billiards Quincy, MA---great equipment, friendly people+bar

Brighton Billiards Brighton, MA---player's room but the equipment is not maintained as well as it could be.
 
My vote goes to the local room I play in. It is THE POOL ROOM and SPORTS CAFE in Marietta, Georgia. It has over 40 tables which includes many 9 foot tables, a 12 foot snooker table and a 10 foot heated carom table. They have a separate VIP room with 11 of the tables for members only. The tables are spread comfortably throughout the whole room and their food is great from burgers to salads to steaks. They have a few huge screens that have various sports playing on them. They also have large bars overlooking the tables for spectators and players to sit at. They have four tournaments a week which includes 8 ball, 9 ball, 7 ball and One Pocket. Plus they host South East Open Tour, Ladies Seal Tour, Viking Tour and Fury Tour stops there, as well as UPA events. They cover their tables a few times a year with Simonis and try to keep the place nice and their equipment in good shape. What more could we ask for?
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
 
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Hard Times Bellflower has it all! It was funny to see Reyes in particular there last week! He would saunter in whenever -play some 1h, then maybe match up playing 3c, rob Hemmah at 9-ball, kill the locals at chess - and who the hell knows how he fared in the friendly poker game. The owner of Hard Times is one sharp guy - he has a little bit of everything - Gabriels billiard tables, 12-foot snooker table, 9-foot Brunswicks, a couple bar boxes - and all sorts of other games for people to match up at! To top it off - so many of the top pros in the socal area are there - which is great for the wannabees like me!
 
Howdy,
Here are my favorites:
Billiards palace, Tulsa,OK
Hard Times billiards in Bell flower,CA
Tacony`s in Philadelphia
Hollywood Billiards in Hollywood,CA

Vagabond
 
Ha, this is easy, I'm goin' with Red Barn Pool Hall, right here in my back yard. It hasn't even opened yet but it's the greatest, it gives Hard Times Bellflower the 8! ;)
 
kollegedave said:
Here are my favorite rooms in no particular order:

Cue and Cushion St. Louis, MO---decent one pockect action, but a lot of kids

Airway Billiards Dayton, OH---a player's room with diamonds and gold crowns+bar

Rennaissance Billiards Quincy, MA---great equipment, friendly people+bar

Brighton Billiards Brighton, MA---player's room but the equipment is not maintained as well as it could be.
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I don't have much experience with other halls but I will second the vote for Renaissance. A bit biased considering it is where I play but I do love the place.

Dave
 
Agree 100%

cueman said:
My vote goes to the local room I play in. It is THE POOL ROOM and SPORTS CAFE in Marietta, Georgia. It has over 40 tables which includes many 9 foot tables, a 12 foot snooker table and a 10 foot heated carom table. They have a separate VIP room with 11 of the tables for members only. The tables are spread comfortably throughout the whole room and their food is great from burgers to salads to steaks. They have a few huge screens that have various sports playing on them. They also have large bars overlooking the tables for spectators and players to sit at. They have four tournaments a week which includes 8 ball, 9 ball, 7 ball and One Pocket. Plus they host South East Open Tour, Ladies Seal Tour, Viking Tour and Fury Tour stops there, as well as UPA events. They cover their tables a few times a year with Simonis and try to keep the place nice and their equipment in good shape. What more could we ask for?
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
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I second this opinion!...check the links...

http://thebestpoolroom.com/index_marietta.html
http://thebestpoolroom.com/images.html
 
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