Pool Rooms in Jacksonville, FL

Just Jim

Just Jim

Registered
Hello all,

I am fairly new to this forum. I have a few posts, but mostly observe. You all seem so much more informed than I, so I usually don't have much to say.

I will be on a business trip to Jacksonville, FL this week just before the Joss Tour Final. I am looking for a place to practice. Problem is, I need to find a fairly classy place because one of the guys I play with on these trips is bringing his wife and she doesn't appreciate dives.

I have located three places that show promise:

Bankshot Billiards
11000 Beach BLVD

Blanding Billiards
2044 Blanding Blvd

&

Dave & Busters
7025 Salisbury Rd

They are all about the same distance from the hotel that we are staying in: Hyatt Regency, 225 E Coast Line Dr.

Does anyone have any opinions on these rooms?
I would appreciate any help you could offer.
 
I have played at BankShot Billiards a couple of times. It was during the early afternoon and the place was pretty dead. I'm not sure what the nighttime crowd is like. The equipment was ok, but not great.
 
I've been to Bankshots and it's a very nice pool hall to practise and for your friend to bring his wife. Thorsten Hohmann is the house pro and he will actually be back in Jacksonville on Sunday from Germany.
 
Sweet Marissa said:
I've been to Bankshots and it's a very nice pool hall to practise and for your friend to bring his wife. Thorsten Hohmann is the house pro and he will actually be back in Jacksonville on Sunday from Germany.
Click to expand...

Thanks Marissa,

I was considering Dave & Buster's but it looks a bit too "yuppie" for me and a bit noisy.

How is the food at Bankshot?
 
Just Jim said:
Thanks Marissa,

I was considering Dave & Buster's but it looks a bit too "yuppie" for me and a bit noisy.

How is the food at Bankshot?
Click to expand...
It's alright. They don't have a very extensive menu, but I haven't been since May. They don't have a grill so everything is microwaved, I believe. Ralf (Souquet) loves the pork sandwiches; he had me eating those most of the time I was there, and the burgers are good for not being grilled.
 
Sweet Marissa said:
It's alright. They don't have a very extensive menu, but I haven't been since May. They don't have a grill so everything is microwaved, I believe. Ralf (Souquet) loves the pork sandwiches; he had me eating those most of the time I was there, and the burgers are good for not being grilled.
Click to expand...

Thanks again.
 
Just Jim said:
I was considering Dave & Buster's but it looks a bit too "yuppie" for me and a bit noisy.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, com'on Jim, live a little. D&B's are a hit or miss kind of thing, as far as pool. Definitely more like a "date" place than a pool room, but some are OK. Usually have furniture type tables, usually pretty well maintained. Decent menu, and a little something for everyone to do, regardless of age or inclination. Not hypin' D&B's by any means - give me a "pure" pool room any day - but D&B's may best meet your criteria and keep your friends wife happy (which equals more pool time for you). JMHO.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
Pizza Bob said:
Ahhh, com'on Jim, live a little. D&B's are a hit or miss kind of thing, as far as pool. Definitely more like a "date" place than a pool room, but some are OK. Usually have furniture type tables, usually pretty well maintained. Decent menu, and a little something for everyone to do, regardless of age or inclination. Not hypin' D&B's by any means - give me a "pure" pool room any day - but D&B's may best meet your criteria and keep your friends wife happy (which equals more pool time for you). JMHO.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
Click to expand...

I would also prefer a "pure oppl room" with tripple shimmed pockets. The last Joss Turningstone event was played on Diamond Pro tables with very tight pockets. I'll probably go with D&B's and trek of to another pool room after my guests get tired of playing. Thanks for your input.
 
I played at Blanding Billiards a few times several years ago. At that time it was a decent blue-collar kind of place, nothing special. The tables were just okay; the cloth was about shot. The girl behind the Sixties-style counter would fry you a burger. There was a dark-haired guy with watchful eyes who was always playing gin at a table at the back of the room. If you looked as dumb as I do Gin Man would make a phone call, and after a little while a sharp-looking elderly man would come in and suggest some 9 Ball for 10 a game. I kind of liked the joint, but I'd say it's too downscale for your party unless it's changed a lot since 1998.

I've always wondered who that was that Gin Man called. He was grey haired, slim, fit looking, and seemed quietly confident. He wore good casual clothes and a baseball cap and carried a brown case that might have been a Widowmaker. Anybody know him?

AS
 
Last edited:
On University Blvd

On University Blvd there are three pool halls, University Billiard Club or UBC, Billiard Connection, and Harley's Billiards. UBC has the best equipment, Billiard Connection has the best choice of food and beer, and Harley's you will find alot of money games. UBC is south on University and Billiard Connection and Harley's are north on University close to Jacksonville University.
 
Sweet Marissa said:
They don't have a grill so everything is microwaved, I believe. Ralf (Souquet) loves the pork sandwiches; he had me eating those most of the time I was there, and the burgers are good for not being grilled.
Click to expand...

I believe I saw that they were using George Foreman grills to make their hamburgers, not microwaves. In any case, I thought the food wasn't too bad and I agree with you, the pork sandwiches were quite tasty.

I will say this also about Bankshots, the place is kept up quite nicely IMO. The restroom was in working order and was quite clean. Also, the staff were friendly and food/drink orders were handled within a reasonable amount of time.
 
Thank you all for your comments. I am on my way in the morning. I think that I will stick with Bankshot Billiards. I called down there and they said that they have Olhousen tables with tight pockets.

See you at the Joss Tour Final.
 
vader93490 said:
I believe I saw that they were using George Foreman grills to make their hamburgers, not microwaves. In any case, I thought the food wasn't too bad and I agree with you, the pork sandwiches were quite tasty.

I will say this also about Bankshots, the place is kept up quite nicely IMO. The restroom was in working order and was quite clean. Also, the staff were friendly and food/drink orders were handled within a reasonable amount of time.
Click to expand...
They have one of the nicest staffs I've ever seen in a pool hall!
 
Sweet Marissa said:
They have one of the nicest staffs I've ever seen in a pool hall!
Click to expand...

I gotta drag you over to Starkville in the fall Marissa...this little pool room I got in mind will really show ya some hospitality. They have a big tourney twice a year and the players come outta the wood work for it. Really a tourney for those wanting to stay under radar.

PM me sometime if you would be interested in attending it!

Shorty
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top