Pool themed chain sport bars

[Tennesseejoe]

I enjoy going to sport bars for watching events like the Triple Crown, football, etc., good food and drinks. And I have met some nice people and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

But when it comes to playing pool, the equipment is terrible, loose cloth, bad rails, unleveled tables, etc. Wouldn't you think that national chains would know a little more about the pool business? What are you opinions?

 

[vjmehra]

They probably do...it simply comes down to economics. Here in the UK we have exactly the same thing, but bar owners know that the vast majority of people using the tables don't care. For the tiny percentage that care about the condition of the balls/tables it's simply not worth maintaining them properly (especially in cities like London where the rental costs for the owner make margins super tight I'd imagine)!

 

[slide13]

Wouldn't you think that national chains would know a little more about the pool business?

Not really...that situation doesn't surprise me at all. I would never expect decent equipment from a chain bar as they likely see pool tables the same way they look at dart boards, tvs, shuffle board, etc....just one more thing to put in their for people to do while spending money on drinks and food. They aren't catering to the serious player at all....they're catering to the serious drinkers more likely.

 

[macguy]

I enjoy going to sport bars for watching events like the Triple Crown, football, etc., good food and drinks. And I have met some nice people and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

But when it comes to playing pool, the equipment is terrible, loose cloth, bad rails, unleveled tables, etc. Wouldn't you think that national chains would know a little more about the pool business? What are you opinions?

In a lot of cases the tables are put in by vendors and they don't always do much of anything to maintain the tables. We had a really nice place open near us. They had 12 9' tables pay by the hour , a raw bar and sea food kitchen with fresh food.

In one year half of the pool tables were gone to expand the seating for the restaurant. Less then another year they were down to one coin op table in the bar area.

Unless it is just a pool room and that is the business the owners want to be in. It never seems to take long before they begin to prioritize their business and the pool tables get moved out. I have seen this numerous times in sport bars.

Their Sq foot space is just to valuable to justify pool tables unless it is their primary business and they are willing to make the sacrifice because they want to own a pool room.

 

[Ralph Kramden]

I enjoy going to sport bars for watching events like the Triple Crown, football, etc., good food and drinks. And I have met some nice people and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

But when it comes to playing pool, the equipment is terrible, loose cloth, bad rails, unleveled tables, etc. Wouldn't you think that national chains would know a little more about the pool business? What are you opinions?

The Fox & Hound sports taverns have very good equipment.
Diamond tables, decent cloth and cues, free pool with lunch.

Ask for balls & chalk. You'll get Aramith balls & Master chalk.


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[Tramp Steamer]

My vision is an up-scale pool room (not pool hall) with good food service, and at least wine and beer, alcohol if necessary.
Fifteen Diamond small tables, coin, token, or card. Twelve Diamond full size, pay by time.
Three of the large tables would be in a separate room for gambling and tournament finals, have stadium seating, and at least one of the large tables lit up for TV and/or streaming.
Oh yes. And free cigars.

P.S. No big screen TVs, no juke box, no arcade machines. Decor would be Pool oriented.

 

[jtarewicz15]

My vision is an up-scale pool room (not pool hall) with good food service, and at least wine and beer, alcohol if necessary.
Fifteen Diamond small tables, coin, token, or card. Twelve Diamond full size, pay by time.
Three of the large tables would be in a separate room for gambling and tournament finals, have stadium seating, and at least one of the large tables lit up for TV and/or streaming.
Oh yes. And free cigars.

P.S. No big screen TVs, no juke box, no arcade machines. Decor would be Pool oriented.

Let me know when you open this so I can give my job 2 weeks notice before I spend every day here.:thumbup:

 

[PlayTrey]

I'm guessing in a lot of places, the amount of net revenue a pool table takes in versus the amount of floor space it consumes is a lot lower than the amount of revenue the bar or a tabletop produces per square foot, for example. Pool needs to figure out how to increase the amount of per square foot revenue it produces for a venue. Otherwise, it will just be a loss leader to bring a certain demographic in the door. Quality suffers when an item becomes a loss-leader. I don't want to pay more to play pool, but . . .

 

[dougster26]

My vision is an up-scale pool room (not pool hall) with good food service, and at least wine and beer, alcohol if necessary.
Fifteen Diamond small tables, coin, token, or card. Twelve Diamond full size, pay by time.
Three of the large tables would be in a separate room for gambling and tournament finals, have stadium seating, and at least one of the large tables lit up for TV and/or streaming.
Oh yes. And free cigars.

P.S. No big screen TVs, no juke box, no arcade machines. Decor would be Pool oriented.

Just think, a pool room without a juke box. I sure would miss the rap music with the mf this and mf that -- not. Free cigars and a shot of bourbon! Hopefully we can get some Cubans. I could live in a place like that, count me in.