Hey New Yorkers...

jason

jason

Unprofessional everything
Silver Member
How do you rate the playing in the city? I know you have Amsterdam Billiards, but how is the rest of the city? Bars, pool halls, leagues, tournaments, equiptment, etc.

Please give me your view of the pool scene.
 
If you're talking about NYC, every single thing is much more expensive than, say, down South.

If you go upstate, though, to, say, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, there are some very nice pool rooms, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg for food and lodging.

This weekend, there's a pretty cool Joss tournament being held at the Golden Cue in Albany, NY. It's great pool room, and I understand they just remodeled. These are genuine pool folk, and these are *real* pool rooms.

NYC might be great for some, but it costs big bucks to hang there for any extended period of time if you're a stranger in town. :)
 
JAM said:
If you're talking about NYC, every single thing is much more expensive than, say, down South.

If you go upstate, though, to, say, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Binghamton, there are some very nice pool rooms, and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg for food and lodging.

This weekend, there's a pretty cool Joss tournament being held at the Golden Cue in Albany, NY. It's great pool room, and I understand they just remodeled. These are genuine pool folk, and these are *real* pool rooms.

NYC might be great for some, but it costs big bucks to hang there for any extended period of time if you're a stranger in town. :)
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Thanks JAM. Yes, I was talking about the NYC scene, but thanks for the other info too.
 
I'm not a New Yorker, but I do travel there every other month and have been checking out each and every room.

Society and Amsterdam are FANTASTIC Rooms! Great Vibe, Great Tables, A little pricey depending on the night.

"Masters" WAS a pretty good room, but it's now closed down.

Skyline in Brooklyn is nice, once you get inside. Not the best area and it's upstairs over a garage or something.

SoHo Billiards is just okay. Lots of tables in a weird multi level layout. Some tables are needing more work than others. Price was better than other Manhattan rooms.

Haven't been to Raxx yet as it was pretty far away.

I'm interested in finding more if anyone else has some recommendations. I always stay down in WFC area.
 
stuckart said:
I'm not a New Yorker, but I do travel there every other month and have been checking out each and every room.

Society and Amsterdam are FANTASTIC Rooms! Great Vibe, Great Tables, A little pricey depending on the night.

"Masters" WAS a pretty good room, but it's now closed down.

Skyline in Brooklyn is nice, once you get inside. Not the best area and it's upstairs over a garage or something.

SoHo Billiards is just okay. Lots of tables in a weird multi level layout. Some tables are needing more work than others. Price was better than other Manhattan rooms.

Haven't been to Raxx yet as it was pretty far away.

I'm interested in finding more if anyone else has some recommendations. I always stay down in WFC area.
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Which pool room is the one that Jean Balukas' family owns?
 
Masters was the spot. Pool is not the same no more, everyone is really nitty in nyc.
 
stuckart said:
I'm interested in finding more if anyone else has some recommendations. I always stay down in WFC area.
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Unfortunately, there isnt anything in the downtown/Financial district.

One other room in Manhattan, not mentioned, is East Side Billiards (upper east side). It's not a players room by any means, but is worth mentioning. If you are staying in Manhattan, your options are limited. I like Skyline in Brooklyn, but, it is a bit of a haul going from downtown. Rob and Sammy (owners) are good ppl and Rob is a solid player in his own right.

If you have a car, then things open up. One of the best action rooms in the NYC metro area is actually in NJ; Sandcastle Billiards, in Edison.

Like Mikey said, Master Billiards was a great room ,but Ben shut it down due to health reasons.


Eric
 
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I have to say, thanks to Amsterdam, it has become my standard of reference and spoiled me when I visit and compare other poolhalls in terms of equipment, staff, and the pool scene.

The leagues are at the heart of Amsterdam, and they attract most of the best players in the city.
 
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jason said:
Thanks JAM. Yes, I was talking about the NYC scene, but thanks for the other info too.
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Jen included a lot of great information about NYC, and then about NY counties a huge distance away from NYC.

Fact is, there are some great rooms *just outside* of NYC, if you want to look due north; very commutable via the MetroNorth train system (out of Grand Central Station), or via car:

Westchester County:
  • Cafe Billiards, 600 Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers. (Haven't been there myself in a while, but I remember it was a trendy place, decently-maintained tables, and the service was great.)
  • Executive Billiards, 109 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. (Hip and trendy, and well-maintained equipment.)
  • Iron Willies Billiards, 3535 Route 202 in Yorktown Heights. (If you like impeccably-maintained equipment, this room is for you. Mostly Gold Crown IVs and Vs that were purchased from WPBA events [some still have the markings], and a couple Diamonds -- one SmartTable 7-footer that the APA league'ers play on, and one 9-foot ProAm with the One Pocket ball-collection accessory. The place is also extremely clean.)

Putnam County:
  • Jack & Jill Q Lounge, 55 Main Street in Brewster. (This one is a very old room and equipped with original Gold Crown 1s that are very well maintained. Also a 3C billiards table. There are several STRONG Latino players that play out of here, and even when they're playing off the wall, you'll get more than you bargained for if you're looking for action. The owner, Steve P., is a good friend and he'll take care of you -- he takes special interest in new customers and makes sure you have a good time in his establishment.)
A little further northeast, in Connecticut (still a train ride from Manhattan):
  • Busters Billiards & Amusements, 46 Old State Road in New Milford, CT. (Possibly the best-maintained Gold Crowns I'd played on in a while. The owner, Eddie L., is very meticulous about his tables, and he does his own table work [he's available for hire as a table mechanic as well]. Just like Steve P. of Jack & Jill Q Lounge in Brewster, Eddie is of the type that takes personal care of you to make sure you have a good time in his establishment. And if you're looking for action, this is a good place -- Eddie's probably the strongest stick around.)

That's about it off the top of my head, and I hope it adds to your list of "should visit" places.

Hope this is helpful!
-Sean
 
ace911 said:
everyone is really nitty in nyc.
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Pot, meet Kettle. :D

--

Raxx and Skyline are both really nice rooms but are technically outside of New York City.

I think in the City there's Slate, Amsterdam, Society, Soho and East Side Billiards with Amsterdam and Society being the two rooms for more serious players.
 
Eric. said:
Unfortunately, there isnt anything in the downtown/Financial district.

One other room in Manhattan, not mentioned, is East Side Billiards (upper east side). It's not a players room by any means, but is worth mentioning. If you are staying in Manhattan, your options are limited. I like Skyline in Brooklyn, but, it is a bit of a haul going from downtown. Rob and Sammy (owners) are good ppl and Rob is a solid player in his own right.

If you have a car, then things open up. One of the best action rooms in the NYC metro area is actually in NJ; Sandcastle Billiards, in Edison.

Like Mikey said, Master Billiards was a great room ,but Ben shut it down due to health reasons.


Eric
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Tropical 128 is the most downtown poolroom in Manhattan. It's located on Elizabeth, between Broome & Grand streets and if nothing has changed since I was there about a year ago, they have the only snooker table available to the public in the borough.

This is the middle of Chinatown so if you're not from here, it's an interesting area of the city to visit. It is one of the few remaining neighborhoods in Manhattan that has yet to be gentrified and if you do a little research, can probably find the best Chinese food you'll ever have without visiting China.

The poolroom, on the otherhand, is not much to brag about. The tables are commercial-style but I can't remember the brand. All I remember is that they played okay. The snooker table is the only reason I'd go there.
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Tropical 128 is the most downtown poolroom in Manhattan. It's located on Elizabeth, between Broome & Grand streets and if nothing has changed since I was there about a year ago, they have the only snooker table available to the public in the borough.

This is the middle of Chinatown so if you're not from here, it's an interesting area of the city to visit. It is one of the few remaining neighborhoods in Manhattan that has yet to be gentrified and if you do a little research, can probably find the best Chinese food you'll ever have without visiting China.

The poolroom, on the otherhand, is not much to brag about. The tables are commercial-style but I can't remember the brand. All I remember is that they played okay. The snooker table is the only reason I'd go there.
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Tropical128...is taht the place with a Koi pond inside? Yeesh. I dunno if I would call that place a poolhall,lol, but Little Italy (what s left of it) and Chinatown is worth visiting. Right around the corner, is one of my favorite Italian pastry joints; Ferrara's....


Eric
 
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Masters's Closed and Ginky died. That's the status right now.

Here are a few rooms in Queens, NY
  1. BQE billiards
    70-02 34th avenue
    Jackson Heights, NY
    (718) 719 4348
  2. Paradise Cafe Billiards
    3804 48th St, Sunnyside, NY 11104-1030
    (718) 707-0147 ‎
  3. Break Bar and Billiards
    32-04b Broadway
    Long Island City, NY 11106
    (718) 777-5400
  4. Carom Cafe
    3402 Linden Pl
    Flushing, NY 11354
  5. Steinway Cafe and Billiards
    3525 Steinway St.
    Astoria, NY 11102
 
Eric. said:
Tropical128...is taht the place with a Koi pond inside? Yeesh. I dunno if I would call that place a poolhall,lol, but Little Italy (what s left of it) and Chinatown is worth visiting. Right around the corner, is one of my favorite Italian pastry joints; Ferrara's....


Eric
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I mention it because it has a snooker table and because it's a great area of the city to visit. Aside from that, there's nothing to do there although I thought the staff was rather nice.
 
So it looks like I've hit most of the good rooms. And I'll continue going to Society and Amsterdam each and every visit. Soho was pretty close but just didn't have any vibe both times I went there.

I really liked the Wednesday Night Tournament at Masters. I took 3rd twice and 2nd once. (Only because Ginky let me off the hook, RIP)

I have no problem with the train or hailing a long cab ride.

What can you tell me about these rooms? How are the tables? Tournaments, Action, Bangers, etc. etc.

BQE billiards
70-02 34th avenue
Jackson Heights, NY
(718) 719 4348

Paradise Cafe Billiards
3804 48th St, Sunnyside, NY 11104-1030
(718) 707-0147 ‎

Break Bar and Billiards
32-04b Broadway
Long Island City, NY 11106
(718) 777-5400

Carom Cafe
3402 Linden Pl
Flushing, NY 11354

Steinway Cafe and Billiards
3525 Steinway St.
Astoria, NY 11102
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
I mention it because it has a snooker table and because it's a great area of the city to visit. Aside from that, there's nothing to do there although I thought the staff was rather nice.
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I hear ya, Jude.

Still, the 2 best rooms in Manhattan are ABC and...your place. You guys really fixed up Broadway Billiards!


Eric
 
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