Manhattan Beach/Los Angeles pool halls

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NickS923

Registered
Hey all,

I am going to be going out to Manhattan Beach, CA for work the monday after the expo gets out (gonna be playing in some singles events out there and looking forward to checking it all out for the first time) until the following friday (march 22-april 2). I was wondering if there were any folks in the area who know of any good pool halls besides Mr. Pockets which isnt bad but was hoping for a more serious room. If anyone is relatively close to the area and would maybe wanna play some let me know or send me a PM.

Thanks

Nick
 
Ask Jay Helfert, when he's done his 3 week hiatus in the Phillipines. ;)

Or maybe PM AZ's OMGWTF, she's in the LA area.

I'm not sure where Hard Times in Bellflower is... Hollywood Billiards may be too far.

You'll get pointed in the right direction. The next question you need answered is who has big nostrils and who shoots left handed until you get over $100/set! :D

Good luck!
 
There is Mr. Lucky's not too far in Torrance CA. 7 GC's w/Super Aramith and 3 Diamond barboxes. Although small, definitely a more serious room. That's my home room. If you're willing to get out of the South Bay you gotta check out the legendary Hard Times in Bellflower. That's the epitome of a player's room with lots of action and lots of tables.. around 25 GC's, 2 golf tables, 2 valley barboxes, and i think 6 billiards tables. takes about 25 minutes give or take but easy access from Manhattan. Hit me up if you wanna hit some...
 
Mr. Lucky's sounds like your best bet for close by. But if you have a car and are planning on spending a few hours out then you should at least hit Hard Times in Bellflower (2 billiard tables BTW).

There are 10 tables in the tournament room. These are the tighter tables, including the 4" pockets on #6, the table that Oscar played Morra on. It's a pool hall, no alcohol and the juke box is played low, not intrusive. Food choices are minimal.

Santa Monica, up the coast from you, has House of Billiards. And of course, there is Hollywood Billiards, a real nice place. Nice eclectic menu and the food is very good. Full bar. Opens at 5P. All the tables downstairs at Hollywood Billiards are a good bit tighter than the upstairs tables.

If you think you will make it to either Hard Times or Hollywood Billiards you should post it up because there will probably be at least a couple of AZ members who you can hook up with at those spots.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
Mr. Lucky's sounds like your best bet for close by. But if you have a car and are planning on spending a few hours out then you should at least hit Hard Times in Bellflower (2 billiard tables BTW).

Santa Monica, up the coast from you, has House of Billiards. And of course, there is Hollywood Billiards, a real nice place. Nice eclectic menu and the food is very good. Full bar. Opens at 5P. All the tables downstairs at Hollywood Billiards are a good bit tighter than the upstairs tables.

If you think you will make it to either Hard Times or Hollywood Billiards you should post it up because there will probably be at least a couple of AZ members who you can hook up with at those spots.
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Actually Eddie the owner of Hard Times just installed 4 more Verenhoven heated billiards tables. otherwise yes, originally the 2 by the door. Definitely check out the Sunday tournament at Hard times, its a $20 dollar buy in and you never know who you'll bump into. Parica, Hemmah, Morro, and the Dominguez family are regulars in that joint.

Hollywood Billiards has a happy hour $6/hr per table between 5-8pm after that its an arm and a leg around $15 or so. of all the pool rooms, they have the best food menu (full kitchen) and a full bar.

House of Billiards in Santa Monica is pretty decent too. good equipment but can be pricey at times. in the likes of Hard times, their food selection is limited to sandwiches, hot dogs, and anything made on a George Foreman grill

Depending on how far you want to travel, there are also some decent rooms.. Plush Pocket in Northridge (tournies on monday, tuesday, and saturday) and Sal Butera's room in Moorpark with a weekly tourney on Tuesday nights.

But like Dogs said, definitely let us know bc one of us is bound to be there already..
 
Hollywood Billiards...

Also if you're driving and checking out other parts of L.A., check out Hollywood Billiards on 5750 Hollywood Blvd.

www.hollywoodbilliards.com

The best hours to hit this place are between 5pm and midnight on weekdays. There's always 'random' action going on and the tables play great. This is the home of the J. Swanson Memorial Tournament which happens every year in February.

The cheapest time to play is between 5-8pm weekdays / $6 per hour.
 
310Shooter said:
There is Mr. Lucky's not too far in Torrance CA. 7 GC's w/Super Aramith and 3 Diamond barboxes. Although small, definitely a more serious room. That's my home room. If you're willing to get out of the South Bay you gotta check out the legendary Hard Times in Bellflower. That's the epitome of a player's room with lots of action and lots of tables.. around 25 GC's, 2 golf tables, 2 valley barboxes, and i think 6 billiards tables. takes about 25 minutes give or take but easy access from Manhattan. Hit me up if you wanna hit some...
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THAT'S where I was. My god, they were so welcoming to me, someone I believe they perceived as a good player, enthusiast, and friendly chap that actually bought a beverage or two.

It probably helped that I name dropped (some guy named Jay...).

Yeah, it's a small joint, it's all pool, no sunlight and it's all good. It was a slow afternoon so I really can't speak to the action potential. There were a bunch of huys playing one pocket. Good stuff.

Right down the street from Manhattan Beach.
 
310Shooter said:
Actually Eddie the owner of Hard Times just installed 4 more Verenhoven heated billiards tables. otherwise yes, originally the 2 by the door. Definitely check out the Sunday tournament at Hard times, its a $20 dollar buy in and you never know who you'll bump into. Parica, Hemmah, Morro, and the Dominguez family are regulars in that joint.
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Plus a bunch of other names you left off that list. :thumbup: There are a lot of really good local players that frequent Hard Times.

The additional billiard tables must be pretty new because I was there not too terribly long ago and didn't notice them. Do you know where they put them?
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
Plus a bunch of other names you left off that list. :thumbup: There are a lot of really good local players that frequent Hard Times.

The additional billiard tables must be pretty new because I was there not too terribly long ago and didn't notice them. Do you know where they put them?
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Well I was filming at Hard Times for the WPBA regional tour championships.. this was feb. 22ish. The 4 new tables are next to the 2 golf tables and had some of the gold crowns taken out in that first banger section. Not sure if they are felted yet, but Eddie is having this Korean table mechanic do them.. I'm not sure of his name but he's supposed to be very well known in the world of 3 cushion.

Mr. Luckys is pretty chill in the day, only $6/hr per table per hour and $10 at night. same hours and price in the day but $12 night time during the weekend. You will find usually a crowd of older regular playing double one pocket on table 1, the tightest table. Its not action crazy like Hard Times, but you can usually find a game if you ask around.

If you show up at Hard Times before any major tournaments in the US, you might find the pinoy invasion like Efren, Busty, Luat, and Roberto Gomez hanging out there. Its always their practice spot and a must stop for them anytime they come to the states. And they'll play cheap sets just for fun with all us wannabe's!
 
310Shooter said:
If you show up at Hard Times before any major tournaments in the US, you might find the pinoy invasion like Efren, Busty, Luat, and Roberto Gomez hanging out there. Its always their practice spot and a must stop for them anytime they come to the states. And they'll play cheap sets just for fun with all us wannabe's!
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Don't leave out Santos. He's there pretty often too. Gomez won the Pacman event there not too long ago.
 
Was at Hardtimes tonight

The 3 cushion tables are done and playing great I hear'.:smile:
They will be starting 3cushion tourneys soon.
Big Bertha, the golf table is back over where it use to be at the bottom of Little Al's stairs.;)
The six billiard tables and the snooker table are on the left side front.
There are actually 3 bar boxes for league play center front as you enter.
Tournament side with 10 Gold crowns is to the right out of the picture.
HTroom (Medium).jpg
 
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rackem said:
The 3 cushion tables are done and playing great I hear'.:smile:
They will be starting 3cushion tourneys soon.
Big Bertha, the golf table is back over where it use to be at the bottom of Little Al's stairs.;)
The six billiard tables and the snooker table are on the left side front.
There are actually 3 bar boxes for league play center front as you enter.
Tournament side with 10 Gold crowns is to the right out of the picture.
View attachment 130168
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Did you make everyone leave so you could take the picture? lol

It looks like they put a set of bleachers in at the bar boxes. I don't recall those being there. Are those new or am I just old, or both?
 
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Shoot what?

I don't know how old you are but I was a loooong time resident of L.A.'s
South bay area Including Manhattan Beach and it's neighbor to the south ,
Hermosa beach. Give pool up for a few days off. Google ,"Bars in Hermosa Beach,"
and you will be in awe of the possibilities. Hermosa beach has one of the most
beautiful beaches in the world, including bikinis. It is party town
U.S.A. Oh, you'll find pool tables but picture girls in bikinis leaning over them
to take a shot!! Hermosa Beach is the ORIGINAL surf city . Manhattan Beach
is also loaded with places to spend your time but is much more sophisticated
and grown up . Hardtimes is a great pool hall but Bellflower and surrounding
area is the pits. Remember ,you can play pool at home but Hermosa and Manhattan
beaches aren't an every day treat. Check it out before heading inland to play pool.
( Mr. Lucky's is probably your best bet close by) :woot::yeah:
 
12310bch said:
I don't know how old you are but I was a loooong time resident of L.A.'s
South bay area Including Manhattan Beach and it's neighbor to the south ,
Hermosa beach. Give pool up for a few days off. Google ,"Bars in Hermosa Beach,"
and you will be in awe of the possibilities. Hermosa beach has one of the most
beautiful beaches in the world, including bikinis. It is party town
U.S.A. Oh, you'll find pool tables but picture girls in bikinis leaning over them
to take a shot!! Hermosa Beach is the ORIGINAL surf city . Manhattan Beach
is also loaded with places to spend your time but is much more sophisticated
and grown up . Hardtimes is a great pool hall but Bellflower and surrounding
area is the pits. Remember ,you can play pool at home but Hermosa and Manhattan
beaches aren't an every day treat. Check it out before heading inland to play pool.
( Mr. Lucky's is probably your best bet close by) :woot::yeah:
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I'm so with you. Leave the cue in the hotel and hit Hermosa Beach. The weather is fabulous and the company is the best.

I lived in Manhattan and Redondo for quite some time myself and probably spent about 10,000 hours in Mr Luckys. What years were you there?

Kevin
 
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I lived in that area for about 40 years. I'm retired in Arizona now. My wife and I owned Karen's Cleaners on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
Did you make everyone leave so you could take the picture? lol

It looks like they put a set of bleachers in at the bar boxes. I don't recall those being there. Are those new or am I just old, or both?
Click to expand...

Those bleachers has been at Hard Times for a while. When we were streaming Oscar Dominguez/John Morra TAR16, we moved table 2 and 7 to put in two sets of them bleachers for spectators.. So my guess is now there can be a use for that empty space and sweating some bar box action just like next door for the tournament side.
 
310Shooter said:
Those bleachers has been at Hard Times for a while. When we were streaming Oscar Dominguez/John Morra TAR16, we moved table 2 and 7 to put in two sets of them bleachers for spectators.. So my guess is now there can be a use for that empty space and sweating some bar box action just like next door for the tournament side.
Click to expand...

Bleachers are torn down and in storage, there's just two tables with two chairs each in that area, the bleachers were there like 4 to 3 years ago.
 
310Shooter said:
Those bleachers has been at Hard Times for a while. When we were streaming Oscar Dominguez/John Morra TAR16, we moved table 2 and 7 to put in two sets of them bleachers for spectators.. So my guess is now there can be a use for that empty space and sweating some bar box action just like next door for the tournament side.
Click to expand...

Zirroe said:
Bleachers are torn down and in storage, there's just two tables with two chairs each in that area, the bleachers were there like 4 to 3 years ago.
Click to expand...

In any event, they are probably a nice addition for teammates of league players working on the small green. :D
 
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