Is Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle still open? That place defines what a "happy hour giddy crowd" bar should be, complete with pool tables, and even a snooker table, at least when I went. Of course, the people that go there like to sit on the tables and chat, which the owners could care less about as they rake in the pool time, liquor and everything else.We have lost a lot of pool rooms in my area in recent times.
Champions in Silver Spring, MD
Champions in Rockville,MD
USA Billiards in Laurel, MD
Bill and Billie's -- or is it Jack and Jill's? -- in Glen Burnie, MD
Bill and Billie's in Arnold, MD
Babes on Wisconsin Avenue NW in DC
In this area, especially in Metro DC, the rent is so high for pool rooms that they are unable to survive on pool table rents alone. They have to sell food, alcohol, have loud music, and many TVs for sports fans in order to survive in some areas.
What I have noticed in my travels, visiting many pool rooms on the East Coast, is that the pool rooms situated near colleges and universities seem to do well.
It is important to offer good food and beverages, especially NON-ALCOHOLIC choices. Otherwise, people will just leave the pool room when they get hungry and go elsewhere. Some of the BEST pool rooms I have been to served no alcohol, but this is not an option for pool room located in high-rent districts.
The leagues are where it's at today for pool rooms, I think. They can keep the pool room business BOOMING every day of the week. The pool rooms without the leagues are not as financially sound as those with leagues, IMHO.
Also, many pool rooms offer FREE pool during the day, if you ring up a minimal amount in a tab, like buying lunch. This is a great way to attract prospective pool enthusiasts in a room and keep them coming back. Before long, a pool room will build up a set of "regulars," much like a neighborhood gathering place.
One more thing, cleanliness and getting rid of odors is key. There is nothing worse than walking into a pool room and having it smell like urine, vomit, and body odor. In fact, I have been to some pool rooms where I was not comfortable using the rest room. They might as well have taken out the toilet and put a tree in there. The smell of it all too!
Location, advertisements, pool events for players of all caliber, cleanliness, good food and non-alcoholic beverage options are just some things I can think of that will help keep a pool room afloat.
In D.C. area, though, I think I'd rather open up a Starbucks joint than a pool room. It's just too costly.
Build it and they will come. It is possible to have a successful pool room, but one must have business sense, maybe buy their own land, and do some of the things I suggested above. JMHO, FWIW!
I think the best pool room I have ever read about is this one -- http://www.parlorbilliards.com/photo.html -- in Bellevue, Washington. I don't know how successful they are, but, man, that's my kind of pool room! :wink:
But I was there three or four years ago, so I don't know what it's like now, if it is even open.
(Can't imagine some of the Jack & Jills crowd going to this place. It was like yuppie-central)
