Surge, the new 21st century poolroom/bar/restaurant/coffeeshop in Chicago, showing off its summer look.
pj
chgo
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pj
chgo
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Not yer grampa's pool hall
- Thread starter Patrick Johnson
- Start date
What an AWESOME place to play pool, eat, drink and socialize! We need more rooms like this across the country! Wahib and Pat know whats up!!!
Trent from Toledo
I'm sure it's what it "has" to be, unfortunately IMO. Then again, it's better than no room at all, especially if the owner is a player as well and not just a business man.
Rake
There was a cofffee/sandwich shop/pool hall in broken arrow a decade ago did well until he busted his nut expanding in the spring to the dead summer and lost it....would have been fine if he just stayed as is he had god business just was mismanaged on his personal financials
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I saw George often giving lessons at the owner's other fern bar, Pressure.
The other end of the spectrum would be Chris's, the gritty old school action arena. They're within a few miles of each other - I like both.
pj
chgo
Just curious why you state the room would be better if the owner is a player as opposed to just a business man? I'm not saying a disagree with you, but I'm just curious why? Do you think it takes an owner who is a lifelong player to better understand what other players want and need in a poolroom?
Even moreso these days, to make it as a poolroom, I think even if the owner is a player, they still have to be have a pretty good business sense to be able to make a go of it long term - most likely a well run food and beverage operation that can attract non pool players, who will likely make up the majority of the clientele, and account for the majority of the revenue.
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I’m a fan of Chis’....I’ve been in fancy poolhalls where I felt they didn’t even want players.
....spent too much money on the decor and not enough on the equipment.
The worst bottom line is/are chain pool halls.......always waiting on some person in an out of state office to make a decision they probably have no clue about.....they are really mall like bars with attractions between the alcohol and fried food lol....
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I love the old, gritty, to the point rooms with the shady regulars as much as anybody. But as a player, I can appreciate a CLEAN, comfortable room that offers something besides potato chips & slim jims. If I want to relax & play for a few hours or more, I won't be doing it in a dirty, stinky place with no decent food or beverage. If the dirty room is the only option, i'll opt out & not play at all except for gambling or tourneys.
I agree, this is my kind of room. I'm not up to date on my tetanus shots, so I like to err on the side of caution
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Yes, the original GC2s from the old room with new GC5 tops (rails, pockets, skirts).
pj
chgo
The 'businessman' thing hasn't really worked with pool. CW had some Hotel Chain putting on tournies-Flop! KevinTrudeau-good tournies but huge financial flop-Bonus Ball Hi Dive FLOP! Almost everyone had big hopes for those 'businessmen'. This guy would be better off just getting rid of the tables and going full at the rest of it.
UPDATE:
Went to this new pool room last weekend. Took my son to shoot for a few hours as he was home on Thanksgiving break from school.
Great room. Tables not only look great, play fantastic, but are immaculate. Coffee bar is in the front of the pool room. So, if you are just there to get coffee and hang out on your laptop, that's cool. It won't bother the pool players at all.
Seems like a cool neighborhood place with good food, and nice beer selection. Seems like they have lots of fancy coffee concoctions but I've never drank a cup of coffee in my life so not really sure how to rate that part
Prices were pretty reasonable, but if folks are using to playing for free or $3 hour there will be some sticker shock, but I don't mind paying as the guy has to stay in business too. I think it was about $9 per hour for 2 players. Saturday afternoon, with about 4 tables going. I'm sure Saturday nights are hoping.
And they have a parking lot which is nice
This was the old Marie's Golden Cue pool hall. So, it's just got updated and they did a great job on the décor.
Went to this new pool room last weekend. Took my son to shoot for a few hours as he was home on Thanksgiving break from school.
Great room. Tables not only look great, play fantastic, but are immaculate. Coffee bar is in the front of the pool room. So, if you are just there to get coffee and hang out on your laptop, that's cool. It won't bother the pool players at all.
Seems like a cool neighborhood place with good food, and nice beer selection. Seems like they have lots of fancy coffee concoctions but I've never drank a cup of coffee in my life so not really sure how to rate that part
Prices were pretty reasonable, but if folks are using to playing for free or $3 hour there will be some sticker shock, but I don't mind paying as the guy has to stay in business too. I think it was about $9 per hour for 2 players. Saturday afternoon, with about 4 tables going. I'm sure Saturday nights are hoping.
And they have a parking lot which is nice
This was the old Marie's Golden Cue pool hall. So, it's just got updated and they did a great job on the décor.
Glad you liked it.UPDATE:
Went to this new pool room last weekend. Took my son to shoot for a few hours as he was home on Thanksgiving break from school.
Great room. Tables not only look great, play fantastic, but are immaculate. Coffee bar is in the front of the pool room. So, if you are just there to get coffee and hang out on your laptop, that's cool. It won't bother the pool players at all.
Seems like a cool neighborhood place with good food, and nice beer selection. Seems like they have lots of fancy coffee concoctions but I've never drank a cup of coffee in my life so not really sure how to rate that part
Prices were pretty reasonable, but if folks are using to playing for free or $3 hour there will be some sticker shock, but I don't mind paying as the guy has to stay in business too. I think it was about $9 per hour for 2 players. Saturday afternoon, with about 4 tables going. I'm sure Saturday nights are hoping.
And they have a parking lot which is nice
This was the old Marie's Golden Cue pool hall. So, it's just got updated and they did a great job on the décor.
FYI, there are some historical keepsakes of Marie's there. For instance, the long bench and the big table in the coffee shop incorporate some of the decorative parts from the antique 3C table that was in the front window of Marie's. And the light shades over the tables are original from Marie's. We also asked Ted, the old owner, to hang around and be decorative, but he was too busy.
pj
chgo
RJ... Unfortunately they don't have a parking lot. It belongs to the property next door. They allow pool patrons to park there until noon. Then you have to move your car, or get towed.
Marie's always had a parking problem too. Chris's has had the same issues forever too. I
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
Marie's always had a parking problem too. Chris's has had the same issues forever too. I
Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
UPDATE:
And they have a parking lot which is nice
This was the old Marie's Golden Cue pool hall. So, it's just got updated and they did a great job on the décor.
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Actually, the lot is for Surge pool players after 5-6pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
pj
chgo
Looks like a nice place, I could see myself playing there. Of course I would play almost anywhere, not a pool room within 2 1/2 hrs from me...
PJ...Good to know. When I gave a lesson there earlier this year, I was told to move my car at noon, which both my student and I did.
Scott Lee
http:// poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
http:// poolknowledge.com