Oldest (still operating) pool rooms in U.S.

[peteypooldude]

Idk if it's been mentioned but after leaving Caswell Billiards in 1955 I think, Mosconi went to Ortons in Wilmington and ran 338 which was a record a at the time
It may have been in 53 but if I'm not mistaken the room is still open

 

[Masayoshi]

I'm not sure what year it opened but if you're in California in the LA area check out Hardtimes in Bellflower. There is a ton of history there and with a lot of stories if you are a big fan of pool. It's a players paradise that is if you know how to match up.

Hard times isnt that old. It opened in the late 80s.

 

[markgw]

Hard times isnt that old. It opened in the late 80s.

Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea.....wow!! I thought it had been around way longer than that....

 

[Donny Lutz]

Name?

The oldest in my area was opened in1941 by Reid Caswell
It had 8 old Brunswicks and 1 Barbox. It's up a narrow stairway, I can't imagine how they got the tables up there . Mosconi ran 150 and in an exhibition along with all the other greats. There are 1000s of permanent cig burns all around each table on the old wood floors. The history is deep. A young guy runs it now with a couple rag big tables and some valleys with 18" pockets

Name of the place? Location?

 

[Masayoshi]

Thanks for the heads up, I had no idea.....wow!! I thought it had been around way longer than that....

I think I heard that there was an older pool hall across the street, but it was generally regarded as a crap hole and closed down around the time Hardtimes opened.

 

[gmillioni]

old rooms

cochrans in san francisco. all the greats came through from luther lasiter , to irving crane, to ronie allen, denny searcy, mccready, and many many others. it was owned by cochran who played billiards. the room was immense, housing 5 6x12 snooker tables, two 5 x 10's, and many 41/2 x 9's. probably gone by now but it was a place of stardom and dreams when i was there in the 50's

the jointed cue, definetly a gamblers haven, at least when i was there in the 70's.
and great america billiards also in sacramento but i think its gone.

 

[Curt]

This thread would not be complete without mentioning

The Q-Ball Billiard Lounge in Vineland, NJ. Opened by "Zip" D'orio in 1962 and owned by Jose Garcia for the last 27 years. Remodeled inside & out in 2008, the Q-Ball with it's 17 Gold Crowns is immaculately maintaind by Jose and is rich in history. Many of yesterday's champions and/or road players have past through and played at The Q-Ball. Players like Ray Martin, The "Miz", Gene Nagy, Frank McGowan, Jimmy & Pete Fusco, Cisero Murphy, Joe Balsis, Lou Butera, Don Willis, Allen Hopkins just to name a few. 400 plus watched The World Straight Pool Challenge Match held here in 1967 in the tournament room at the Q-Ball between Jack Breit and Luther Lasiter. They played a race to 1200 points over 6 days, 200 per day. Lasiter retained his title winning handedly 1200 - 632 and pocketing $1,500 while Jersey Red walked away with $1,000. Jersey Red stayed in Vineland for the next 6 months playing here & locally. Jose remembers one day three or four of the older players were each putting in $200.00 to back Jersey Red against this young player from Philadelphia. The game was one-pocket and Jersey Red was one of the best one-pocket players at the time. They (the backers) came home broke, Jimmy Fusco won money that night in 1967. Mosconi played a number of exibitions here between '64 & '66 and "Cueball" Kelly wowed the crowds before matches. There are many photos hanging on the walls at The Q-ball. I've taken photos of some that were taken at The Q-ball. I'm going to attempt post them!

 

[Curt]

More Photos

Some more photos. If you look closely behind Luther Lasiter's left shoulder you'll see a very young Jose Garcia watching intently. Willie signing autographs after an exibition in 1965. "Cueball" Kelly working the fans before a match between Jose & Allen Hopkins in 1977.
Finally, The Q-ball as it looks today.