The next stop going south is Lucky Shot and the new 946 Billiards in Sunnyvale. The latter was previously Santa Clara Billiards on Stevens Creek.
Are there pool halls in California?
- Thread starter ppzhao
- Start date
L.S. Dennis
Well-known member
Thanks for those additions, as you know the peninsula used to be full of places to play pool, most of them were bowling alleys. There was Lucky Lanes (although that one may not have on the peninsula, and Millbrae Bowl, Sea Bowl (Sax used to run that one) Mels Bowl, Bel Mateo Bowl, there were lots of them these were just a few. Many of these had action as well!
tomatoshooter
Well-known member
I played there a couple of months ago. I'll probably play again this weekend. I assume you are talking about Hard Times Sacramento. We just had the Jointed Cue reopen, I need to go shoot there, too.
I used to travel to the West coast quite a bit. House of Billiards, Cue and Cushion and Family Billiards were all seen. Also, Fast Eddies, Surf city and Garlic city billiards. Further south I played at College billiards and Jolt'n Joes. I am probably missing a few. I never was able to get to either of the Hard times.
Here’s what going to happen. The decline trend is going to continue for another 2-3 years.
Along the way way, some smart money is going to come along and start franchising parlors.
There will be a business plan and decorum model to be followed that includes a full kitchen & bar.
For dining, there will be designated tables and seating that allows you to view the pool tables.
There’ll also be some modern arcade games, like Golden Tee, but with 84” tv screens. Likely
some form of electronic darts too. Do it right and both could become leagues of their own.
If you had several Golden Tee setups, you could run golf tournaments, individual and team.
Naturally, the same is true of the dart gallery arrangement. What you want is recurring players.
The key is the kitchen. You have to have more than convection oven pizza, sandwiches & burgers.
It goes without saying you’d need the space but based upon my city, there’s sure an abundance of it.
The market would be hungry for the re-emergence of pool & you’d offer a variety of entertainment
with broad appeal. Heck, by that time, 100” 8k TV sets will be available to watch the big games.
Anyway, based upon the abundance of real estate from closed businesses and the disappearance
trend of independent pool room operators, America should be highly receptive to something like this.
Along the way way, some smart money is going to come along and start franchising parlors.
There will be a business plan and decorum model to be followed that includes a full kitchen & bar.
For dining, there will be designated tables and seating that allows you to view the pool tables.
There’ll also be some modern arcade games, like Golden Tee, but with 84” tv screens. Likely
some form of electronic darts too. Do it right and both could become leagues of their own.
If you had several Golden Tee setups, you could run golf tournaments, individual and team.
Naturally, the same is true of the dart gallery arrangement. What you want is recurring players.
The key is the kitchen. You have to have more than convection oven pizza, sandwiches & burgers.
It goes without saying you’d need the space but based upon my city, there’s sure an abundance of it.
The market would be hungry for the re-emergence of pool & you’d offer a variety of entertainment
with broad appeal. Heck, by that time, 100” 8k TV sets will be available to watch the big games.
Anyway, based upon the abundance of real estate from closed businesses and the disappearance
trend of independent pool room operators, America should be highly receptive to something like this.
Fast Eddy's (Capitola) and Surf City (Santa Cruz) seem to be open. Garlic City (Gilroy) closed permanently a while ago. Family Billiards (SF) is open.
There is a new membership-only room in SF with one pool table and one 6x12 snooker table. Members get the key code and make reservations online. https://ccs-sf.com/
Like Dave and Buster's?
There is a Dave & Buster’s in Fresno but it only has arcade games.
Back in the late 80’s, the Dave & Buster’s in Dallas was just ideal.
You were escorted to the tables that were isolated on the perimeter.
The menu was diverse & atmosphere wasn’t your average pool room.
You could go to Rusty’s for just pool. It was never attempted in our
area which is short sighted because it would draw people in. But right
now with COVID still menacing the world, it’s still too unsettled to attempt.
That why I predict in a few years, the time would be ideal because there
may not even be any more pool rooms in our neck of the woods based
on the trend line. It is hard to see them remaining open with reduced hrs.
Back in the late 80’s, the Dave & Buster’s in Dallas was just ideal.
You were escorted to the tables that were isolated on the perimeter.
The menu was diverse & atmosphere wasn’t your average pool room.
You could go to Rusty’s for just pool. It was never attempted in our
area which is short sighted because it would draw people in. But right
now with COVID still menacing the world, it’s still too unsettled to attempt.
That why I predict in a few years, the time would be ideal because there
may not even be any more pool rooms in our neck of the woods based
on the trend line. It is hard to see them remaining open with reduced hrs.
Remember that Brunswick build its reputation around franchising bowling alleys and pool rooms.
They’d come in and do the whole setup including fountain services and cigar display cases. The
operator just cut a check every month, after of course first fulfilling the financing requirements.
And America was ready for it too and business boomed. I think COVID has created a demand for
some recreational activities that are affordable, easily accessible and appeals to a variety of ages.
Pool, high end video golfing….(How many golfers do you know?)…..darts and a nice kitchen menu.
They’d come in and do the whole setup including fountain services and cigar display cases. The
operator just cut a check every month, after of course first fulfilling the financing requirements.
And America was ready for it too and business boomed. I think COVID has created a demand for
some recreational activities that are affordable, easily accessible and appeals to a variety of ages.
Pool, high end video golfing….(How many golfers do you know?)…..darts and a nice kitchen menu.