Folks, I may have to move from the Pittsburgh area to the Washington D.C./Baltimore area depending on how some job prospects work out. I would like to know your opinions on the best rooms in that area between (and including) the two cities. I would greatly appreciate the room name and your reason for the recommendation. Any information about the neighborhood in which the room is located would also be great (i.e. good neighborhood, bad, etc.). Thanks!
Best Rooms Between Baltimore and D.C.?
- Thread starter pool
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Rooms
Here are a few.
In D.C.:
Atomic Billiards on Connecticut
Cue Bar down on U street
Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle (19th st)
In Baltimore:
Buffalo Billiards....near Lombard I believe
In between:
Golden Sports Bar (Ellicott City)
Knottingham's (Columbia)
Sharky's (Annapolis)
Here are a few.
In D.C.:
Atomic Billiards on Connecticut
Cue Bar down on U street
Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle (19th st)
In Baltimore:
Buffalo Billiards....near Lombard I believe
In between:
Golden Sports Bar (Ellicott City)
Knottingham's (Columbia)
Sharky's (Annapolis)
Hands Down Side Pocket Sports Cafe' Laurel Maryland. No joke, located between Baltimore and D.C. Largest, Best Tables, Good Menu, Plenty of Competition, What more can I say, If you want leagues it got it, if you want action, it's go it, just for fun it's got it.
Peace hope to see you around, Black Cat
Peace hope to see you around, Black Cat
RichZuHaus said:
I have only been here a short while, but I can tell you (since I live in Columbia) that Knottinghams is not a pool room - it is a bar setting and the tables are not for those that are serious players (at least what I saw of them). Columbia is smack down in the middle and I have to drive to rooms - Side Pockets in Laurel; Big Daddy's in the Glen Burnie area; Orange Ball in Rockville, First Break in Sterling, VA. Those are the ones I have been to. If you get the timing right, Side Pockets would be a good place to shoot, but it is truly a bar scene at night. Big Daddys would be my second choice. Orange Ball is a decent place, but it is loud and the tables are funny (maybe the rails). So, there is my take. If you move, buy a table - you will be better off or if you want someone to spar with, there are plenty around to do so (including myself). Good thing is the Tiger Tour starts up again in February.
Best of luck.
I agree, near Washington DC (actually in Laurel outside of DC), Side Pockets (used to be Champions) is a fantastic Room. They have a bar and good food and the tables are kept pretty well. You can most likely find action there if you want to.Black Cat 5791 said:Hands Down Side Pocket Sports Cafe' Laurel Maryland. No joke, located between Baltimore and D.C. Largest, Best Tables, Good Menu, Plenty of Competition, What more can I say, If you want leagues it got it, if you want action, it's go it, just for fun it's got it.
Peace hope to see you around, Black Cat
Winston's Billiards (Rockville, MD - outside of DC) - used to be Champions very nice room. Same thing, tables are kept pretty well and they offer good food and a bar. Not sure about action.
Fast Eddies (Alexandria, VA) - Very nice room. Good food and bar. I only went to tournaments there so I don't know about the action available.
Fast Eddies (Fairfax, VA) - same as Fast Eddies above.
Champions (Shirlington, VA) - Same as most Champions, not sure about the action at this particular one. But nice tables, good food and nice bar.
First Break Cafe (Sterling, VA) - Limited Food, no bar, but nice tables. Not sure about action, but I think you can find some there if you are looking.
However, I was from Baltimore so I can speak to their rooms better. In Baltimore you have:
Kelly's Cue Club (Parkville) - a true pool hall, very little edible food, no bar, just a pool hall. Great tables, lot of good people there, but not overly crowded when I have been there. A few very good players, should be able to find a game with someone if you want to gamble. No regular tournaments the last time I was around the area.
Top Hat (Parkville/Carney) - Nice pool hall, nice tables, food is better than Kelly's. No bar. Very nice pool hall. Used to have a Sunday handicapped tournament that was very fairly rated. You can most likely find action there if you are looking.
Cheers (Parkville) - Great place and atmosphere - used to be Champions, good food and has a bar. Depends what you are looking for, but if you are looking for a fun night out with some friends it is great. If you are looking for gambling, probably not the place to go.
Baltimore Billiards East (Linthicum) - some of the best players in the area used to hang out here. Used to have a Saturday night tournament but I think it was cancelled. Only have (2) 9 foot tables, with several 8 foot tables. The 9 foot tables are the action tables and used to have regular ring games. Great people, some very, very good players when I was there. Menu is fairly large for a pool hall (next to bowling alley) and they have a bar.
Satyr Hill Cue Club (Parkville - across the street from Top Hat) - Don't know much about it, but heard it was for lower level players mostly.
Jack and Jills (now called something else - Bill and Billies?) in Glen Burnie - I believe this was the place that may be closed down now, but was mentioned in several threads because it sponsored the Straight Pool qualifier and Randy Goldwater had an issue with the owner - Used to be the place in Baltimore - was the gambling mecca back in the day...All the players used to play here, just had average tables, but was open all night (I believe). Again, I am not sure if it is open anymore.
Baltimore Billiards West (Dundalk) - Terrible Room - 2 or 3 (9) foot tables, nice place to play if you go with a friend and just want to play all night. No action whatsoever. It is rare to see more than 2 or 3 of the 8 foot tables occupied. But they do have a bar if you go with a friend. Not sure about food, but I am sure they have it as they are next to a bowling alley.
Green Room (Dundalk) - all 7 foot tables but they have a bunch of them. Something like 50 - 75, 7 foot tables. This is the APA mecca. The APA holds all of their playoffs and higher level tournaments there. Nice place, food is decent and they have a bar. Action is somewhat limited, but you can most likely find it if you want it. Mostly league players though.
Pulasky Highway, Rosedale (can't remember name because it recently changed) - Probably the next Jack and Jills of Baltimore. It is owned by a true pool afficiendo who likes to stake and play. Last time I was there, it was scattered because some of the tables had simonis while some of the others had Mali. They have pretty good food and I think they got their liquor license. No problem finding a game because everyone is looking to pounce on anyone who walks through the door (normal pool hall atmosphere). Not the safest place in the world, I know that someone was shot there a few years ago. Not the nicest neighborhood, but it is not terrible. No problem finding a game.
That is about all I can think of for now. I hope that you try some of these out and let us know your experiences.
Wow, you got a good bunch of info. You might also pm JAM --- she has lived in the area for quite a long time and has probably been to most every room.
Hey Pool!
DC/Baltimore is a great area for pool! I help run the Tiger Pool Tour. Check http://www.TigerPoolTour.com for our 2008 schedule which is slowly getting filled out. Take a look at the Rankings on the site - maybe you'll see some players you know.
Building on some of the extensive notes above...
I highly recommend Champions in Arlington (Shirlington Rd). New management and definitely a place that will become a hotspot in the next few months.
First Break Cafe in Sterling, VA does have a bar and is one of the better action spots in the area.
Bill & Billie's in Arnold, MD has indeed been closed down recently.
VIP Billiards in Ellicott City has been cleaned up and is a really great place to practice.
Blue Jay Club across the street from VIP is not so nice I've heard. Bangers and poorly kept tables from what I've been told.
Edgars in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Haven't been there in a while. I think it's a "business man" hangout. It was started by someone associated with Nottingham's in Columbia, MD.
There's a Dave & Busters (or Jillian's) in the Arundel Mills Mall near the BWI airport that has about 10 tables.
There are lots of weekly tournaments for which I don't have the latest information. It used to be First Break in Sterling, VA, Orange Ball in Rockville, MD, Top Hat in Baltimore, Big Daddy's in Pasadena, MD all had weekly events. I'd guess that Champions on Shirlington Rd will start one up.
Andy
DC/Baltimore is a great area for pool! I help run the Tiger Pool Tour. Check http://www.TigerPoolTour.com for our 2008 schedule which is slowly getting filled out. Take a look at the Rankings on the site - maybe you'll see some players you know.
Building on some of the extensive notes above...
I highly recommend Champions in Arlington (Shirlington Rd). New management and definitely a place that will become a hotspot in the next few months.
First Break Cafe in Sterling, VA does have a bar and is one of the better action spots in the area.
Bill & Billie's in Arnold, MD has indeed been closed down recently.
VIP Billiards in Ellicott City has been cleaned up and is a really great place to practice.
Blue Jay Club across the street from VIP is not so nice I've heard. Bangers and poorly kept tables from what I've been told.
Edgars in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Haven't been there in a while. I think it's a "business man" hangout. It was started by someone associated with Nottingham's in Columbia, MD.
There's a Dave & Busters (or Jillian's) in the Arundel Mills Mall near the BWI airport that has about 10 tables.
There are lots of weekly tournaments for which I don't have the latest information. It used to be First Break in Sterling, VA, Orange Ball in Rockville, MD, Top Hat in Baltimore, Big Daddy's in Pasadena, MD all had weekly events. I'd guess that Champions on Shirlington Rd will start one up.
Andy
JDB said:
Top Hat still has a Sunday tournament and it begins at 1pm. $20 entry fee, practice time starts early and they usually provide the donuts. No longer handicaped and double elimination. Strong tournament. One other notable is they have brunswick tables and the rate is only $2.50/hr
Damn, with some of the players that showed up there, it must be a real tough tournament without a handicap...OriontheHunter said:
Max Eberle (although he has moved out west)
Tom Vanover (Cigar Tom; Bob Vanover's brother I think)
Joe Cataldi (great player, very nice guy)
Dominik .... (can't remember last name, but a good lower level shortstop)
Mark (Doughnut Man) - can't remember his last name - but JAM listed him as one of the top 5 in the Baltimore area a year or so ago
Shaun Wilkie - Great Player - most of you know him
Dannie Green - never saw him when I played there, but heard he attends now and then - plays around or above strong shortstop level
Joe Wright - strong shortstop
I am sure there are many I am forgetting, but it is a great tournament whether it is handicapped or not. Where else can you play that caliber of talent for around $20 entry fee with double elimination.
I am starting to wish I lived back there and actually play once in a while.
JDB,
Don't forget Jerry Slivka (ex Pittsburgh guy). I'm pretty sure he won a whole lot of those Sunday events last year. Not sure if he's around this area right now.
Dominic's last name is Noe. Haven't seen him in years.
Mark "donut" Ford doesn't enter our regional tournaments much anymore but probably still plays jam-up.
I think Mike Davis used to hit that Sunday event every now and then.
Brett Stottlemyer probably was a regular as well.
Andy
Don't forget Jerry Slivka (ex Pittsburgh guy). I'm pretty sure he won a whole lot of those Sunday events last year. Not sure if he's around this area right now.
Dominic's last name is Noe. Haven't seen him in years.
Mark "donut" Ford doesn't enter our regional tournaments much anymore but probably still plays jam-up.
I think Mike Davis used to hit that Sunday event every now and then.
Brett Stottlemyer probably was a regular as well.
Andy
Hey Andy,alinco said:
Yeah, I am probably a few years out of touch. I knew Dominic's last name was something like that...lol. I was going to say Knoe?
I was gone before Slivka, Mike Davis and stottlemyer started playing in those tournaments, but wish I was still there.
Sounds like you might play there though. If so, I would have tell people to watch out for Andy Lincoln as well. The guy looks like a schoolteacher but shoots jam up pool.
IMO...
Top hat is the best place in the Baltimore area. Good equipment, cheap table time, no alcohol (which may, I know, be a - for some), action for all levels.
Shirlington has become a bit of an action spot of late. 4 figs being bet with regularity...
Top hat is the best place in the Baltimore area. Good equipment, cheap table time, no alcohol (which may, I know, be a - for some), action for all levels.
Shirlington has become a bit of an action spot of late. 4 figs being bet with regularity...
obr said:
Primarily I play out of a small place called The Parlour in the Sharpsburg area. They have 3 9' tables which is pretty good for a pub. It would not be unusual to see me at Breaker's (Paul Mottey's place) either. I was there a lot more often before they put in a bar and started serving crappy food which meant no outside food anymore. The tables are still sweet there, though.
