Pool road trip USA — best pool halls, best action, best spots 2022

[phreaticus]

Just make it more real than Poolhall Junkies and it will do great.

Northern California, besides Hardtimes in Sacramento:

Jointed Cue in Sacto,
Family Billiards in SF
California Billiards in Fremont
maybe Fast Eddy's in Capitola
Easy Street in Monterey where John Schmidt ran 626 -- probably no action though, the fish are at the Aquarium

Fast Eddy's in Santa Cruz (Capitola) is about same state as Easy Street, not much real action there. I guess Lettuce Larry used to be the guy there, but not sure if he's to be found any more. But it's a super cool old school poolhall with nice GC's and they recently added 2 gorgeous Diamond's with tight pockets set up perfectly for 1p. There is another cool but no gamble crazy poolhall in SC called Surf City Billiards - sort of like going to haight ashbury in SF... In any case, a drive up the NorCal coast on highway 1 from Big Sur thru Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay (Mavericks), Pacifica and up to SF - is a world class road trip, hard to not recommend adding to the agenda and a sure hit with non pool playing loved ones. Fremont and Sac for $$ games.

OP - if you make it to SF Bay Area, feel free to give me a shout. There are several other places with good tables for fun, practice and $$ games.

Cheers

 

[Guy Manges]

Will fly from NY to Austin, then Bus, Train or maybe rental car to Houston and New Orleans and up to Louisville by car probably. Will have to keep an eye on cost… Accomodation, food, gas and oh the table fees… Not good enough to hustle my way through the US I am afraid…

Best of luck be with you, I'll bet AZB'er in each city will help...

 

[RunEmOut08]

Hit me up if you come through Richmond VA. Can find a variety of good action for you.

 

[Vahmurka]

Hi everyone,

in just a few months from September 2022 until February 2023 I'll have the privilege to visit the US. The main theme of my journey is playing pool and exploring the country and its people. Needless to say, I am thrilled.

I bet everyone here would love to read or watch your impressions shared once you are back home. Or even "live" during your trip!
Wishing you a smooth and entertaining journey!!

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

Well if you pass Phoenix, Arizona you are messing boat. Phoenix offer some great thing to do beside playing pool, Plus you are hitting dates for Barret Jackson Auction, and Waist Management Phoenix Open. Two should never miss events.

 

[quiet eyes]

Fast Eddy's in Santa Cruz (Capitola) is about same state as Easy Street, not much real action there. I guess Lettuce Larry used to be the guy there, but not sure if he's to be found any more. But it's a super cool old school poolhall with nice GC's and they recently added 2 gorgeous Diamond's with tight pockets set up perfectly for 1p. There is another cool but no gamble crazy poolhall in SC called Surf City Billiards - sort of like going to haight ashbury in SF... In any case, a drive up the NorCal coast on highway 1 from Big Sur thru Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay (Mavericks), Pacifica and up to SF - is a world class road trip, hard to not recommend adding to the agenda and a sure hit with non pool playing loved ones. Fremont and Sac for $$ games.

OP - if you make it to SF Bay Area, feel free to give me a shout. There are several other places with good tables for fun, practice and $$ games.

Cheers

Great idea, great cues and thanks for the offer... we are coming down from Portland to somewhere in between San Francisco and LA. So the PCH and some of the locations you and Bob mentioned are on our way.

 

[quiet eyes]

I bet everyone here would love to read or watch your impressions shared once you are back home. Or even "live" during your trip!
Wishing you a smooth and entertaining journey!!

Thanks for your kind words. Will certainly keep you updated.

 

[quiet eyes]

if you decide to go south before you go west
i live in vero beach fl
nice beach
i could find you several people to play
you could come to my house and gamble cheap
home room below
9 foot gold crown
extended rails 4.25 inches
PM me if you wish
View attachment 647238

What a sweet room! Thanks for the offer. A German top class player (high-stakes gambler) strongly recommended Florida recently. But I am a bit sceptical that Florida will fit into my schedule. Your country is huuuge! Re money matches: I am more micro-stakes, haha, on the lookout for some fairly strong competition to grow my game and a bit of pressure without ruining myself. I also want to play as many tournaments as possible. Thanks bbb!

 

[quiet eyes]

Well if you pass Phoenix, Arizona you are messing boat. Phoenix offer some great thing to do beside playing pool, Plus you are hitting dates for Barret Jackson Auction, and Waist Management Phoenix Open. Two should never miss events.

I heard great things about the pool scene in Phoenix. Definitely on my list... maybe I can go there after the DCC in February. And these two events you mentioned don't have anything to do with pool, do they?

 

[bbb]

What a sweet room! Thanks for the offer. A German top class player (high-stakes gambler) strongly recommended Florida recently. But I am a bit sceptical that Florida will fit into my schedule. Your country is huuuge! Re money matches: I am more micro-stakes, haha, on the lookout for some fairly strong competition to grow my game and a bit of pressure without ruining myself. I also want to play as many tournaments as possible. Thanks bbb!

pm me

 

[hotelyorba]

Man, so so jealous! I'm kicking a plan around in my head to do a Pool Pilgrimage at some point in the near future too. Not as extensive as you're planning, but I'm keeping an eye on this topic for inspiration. Also hoping you will tell us all about your experiences when you're there! Best of luck on your travels!

 

[plague]

Will definitely be at Skyline. I am located in Astoria for most of my time, though. So Steinway is right around the corner and Amsterdam 40 minutes away.

Question for the New Yorkers: Which pool hall would be your best bet for a good base to train, play drills and compete on a daily basis also taking expenses into account?

i liked cue bar in Queens for that

 

[Black-Balled]

Texas to Denver then on to Vegas,Denver is on the way if you are driving.
just keep in mind this is a big country with lots of miles between major cities.

And even more kms!

Truth.

 

[kling&allen]

Great idea, great cues and thanks for the offer... we are coming down from Portland to somewhere in between San Francisco and LA. So the PCH and some of the locations you and Bob mentioned are on our way.

Salem, Oregon (an hour or so outside Portland) has the Cue Ball, a historic pool room that's worth your time.

 

[measureman]

What a sweet room! Thanks for the offer. A German top class player (high-stakes gambler) strongly recommended Florida recently. But I am a bit sceptical that Florida will fit into my schedule. Your country is huuuge! Re money matches: I am more micro-stakes, haha, on the lookout for some fairly strong competition to grow my game and a bit of pressure without ruining myself. I also want to play as many tournaments as possible. Thanks bbb!

Germany's area is approximately 137,847 square miles (or 357,022 square kilometers if you're German). Although this makes Germany the largest country in Central Europe and the 6th largest in all Europe, it's pretty paltry compared to the 3,796,742 square miles (or 9,833,520 square kilometers) of the United States

 

[Bbutler]

East US I'd recommend a stop in Atlanta to visit Mr. Cues. Plenty of action and great people there. Also if you're in the Chicago area Chris's billiards was a filming location for some scenes in the Color of Money. Not sure if it's still there, though.

Since you're starting in eastern Canada you should finish in the west with a stop in Alberta. It's off the beaten path but TopShots in Edmonton is something to see. One of the nicest rooms in the world.

 

[FeelDaShot]

I like your plan! I think Texas and New Orleans are going to be your best stops, but I've never been to either. I've also heard that St. Louis has a big pool scene but once again, I haven't been there either lol. The pool rooms I visited in Vegas weren't as impressive as I expected. Maybe I came at a bad time.

 

[couldnthinkof01]

Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, all worth going to for tournaments if your near Chicago land.
Des Moines, Minneapolis area, Milwaukee area, Chicago suburbs.
Big dogs, Cr's, shooters, reds, chris', carom room, mad apple. All good tournament spots for amateur pool. Some action as well. Just not like Texas or Nola

 

[Poolhall60561]

Chicago Area; Chris’s, Surge, Pockets, Red Shoes and Pyramid Club.

 

[quiet eyes]

Man, so so jealous! I'm kicking a plan around in my head to do a Pool Pilgrimage at some point in the near future too. Not as extensive as you're planning, but I'm keeping an eye on this topic for inspiration. Also hoping you will tell us all about your experiences when you're there! Best of luck on your travels!

It is a one time opportunity, indeed. I will share my experiences for sure. And I must say that I already get a warm feeling from all the AZB hospitality.