Private Pool Room/Social Clubs?

I did this with a partner starting in December '98. Started with 3 billiard tables, 3 GC's and 2 barboxes. Added another billiard table and GC within 1 year. Couches, TV, fridge, pop-machine etc. Had the room painted and carpeted in the first couple of months too. One member built a cue locker and another member installed a card entry system (donations). It can work on this small level but don't count on making any money!
 
Mike_Mason said:
I...some of us old timers...especially from up north...remember the gazillions of social clubs that are now extinct...Good luck.

Mike
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I can recall a few private clubs as recently as 2000 in Waldorf, MD.

Sounds good if you ahve a core group willing to put the $ up right away, otherwise, why restrict yourself with the 'private club' status? Have a pool room and offer a frequent flyer club- discounts for play/ expenditures over a certain threshold.
 
Well if you just open a pool room then YOU have to buy a liquor license. you don't need that for a private room.
 
Cmon, what pool player do you know that will shell out $500 for a membership to a pool room? I know this sounds negative, but really...pool players are mostly cheapskates. I think honestly you would have a hard time getting them to pay $100 a year unless it was free pool and then you would only get a handful hardcore players who will be on the tables all the time.

Peg's Pocket in Miami had a private club in the late 80s. Bob Nardone bought the place from Peg and he converted the upstairs which was previously rented to a dance studio but was empty at the time to a private club. I want to say they had like 3 or 4 gold crowns up there with a big screen, couches and a few other things. I dont remember much about that except that it didnt fly back then bc only a handful of the Pegs regulars would pay the membership fee.

Most players I know think in the present only, a long term membership does not make sense with them bc they play wherever the action is, be it tournaments or gambling. If the private club had a few deep pocket go offs that will only play in the club, then you will have a large group of pool players wanting in.
 
I would be willing to pay $200 a month if it had 7,8, and 9 foot tables or no 8, but a 3 cushion table and was no more than a few miles away from my home.

I think 5 tables, a bar, and some kind of food you could make money on. have a little pro shop, send cue work out if no member wants/can't do it. Problem is finding a place with cheap rent. At least it doesn't have to be in a location, location. Now that I'm feeling good, I might look into this. I would take a small salary that didn't go over my social security max. Johnnyt
 
FSutton said:
:scratchhead:

So I've been wondering how do you guys think a private cue club/social club might do? Something small with maybe Diamond Pro Ams like 2 or 3 and maybe one Gold Crown IV. A small Bar, a nice TV for games, a few tables for card games etc. No Jukebox, no bangers, membership only. access open 24 hours a day (the bar would be on regular hours). Members pays dues maybe that would work. Sell day passes to others who want to come in. My father and I have been talking about doing this maybe in the Austin Area when we move there later this year. Dad would like to do a snooker table since there doesn't seem to be one in Austin and he loves a good golf game.

Any thoughts, ideas, input from the AZer's would be appreciated.

f
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Always my favorite idea!
 
I love the idea

This is also an idea that I have had. Myself and a couple of friends thought about putting up 30-40k each and making a small(4 table) room. We felt that it would have to be built out very elegantly and comfortable. We wanted sofas, lounge chairs, fireplace, poker table, small kitchen, pool tables etc. Our problem wasn't financing, it was- who was going to "run" it, we had several friends and business men interested in membership- even as high as 1-2k. We also thought several private tournaments or exhibition matches that were privately funded would draw a couple of pro's out and make for a really entertaining week-end.
 
I belong to a club like that in Boston. Well, we were in Boston for about 15 years. Prior to that, the club was in Cambridge for several years. I think it's around 25 years old now.


The founders owned the condo in Downtown Boston. We had a bar, TV, 3 Gold Crown Tables, Music and parking access to Boston's North End and Waterfront. There are about 20 members, each paying $100 a month dues (paid quarterly). All members had 24 hour access to the unit (my old office happened to be right upstairs) and we could throw parties whenever we liked. The club meets on Thursday nights. It was seldom used other than the regular Thursday night meetings. When I was living right in Boston, I would have small get together s there and would never run into a conflict with another member.

Due to some unfortunate circumstances, the condo was sold this year. The club has moved to one of the founding members basements. This is still a very nice setup. We have room for two tables instead of three, but that really seems to be enough for our needs. Many members didn't want to make the move from Boston to Newton, so they left the club. We still have pretty much unlimited access, but you need to call ahead.

We have about 14 members now. Dues are the same. They go for improvements to the club, recovering tables and if there is any money left at the end of the year, we usually throw a party. The club has been running at or near a loss for several years, but we had done some substantial improvements. Most of those were paid for out of pocket by the owners.

I would say if you can find a cheap location and 10-15 guys, you can make it work, but you need guys you can count on. Not guys that will join for a month and leave or guys who won't have the money to pay their dues.

I have been a member for about 14 years and I am about midway down in the seniority list. Most of the members went to college together and this is kind of like their getaway during the week. They will be there until they are dead.

We have a couple of meetings a year and do have officers. We have a set of guidelines that all members are expected to follow.

Edit:

I'm sure I have photos of the old setup someplace, but it may take me a while to dig them out.
 
Tony Zinzola said:
I belong to a club like that in Boston. Well, we were in Boston for about 15 years. Prior to that, the club was in Cambridge for several years. I think it's around 25 years old now.


The founders owned the condo in Downtown Boston. We had a bar, TV, 3 Gold Crown Tables, Music and parking access to Boston's North End and Waterfront. There are about 20 members, each paying $100 a month dues (paid quarterly). All members had 24 hour access to the unit (my old office happened to be right upstairs) and we could throw parties whenever we liked. The club meets on Thursday nights. It was seldom used other than the regular Thursday night meetings. When I was living right in Boston, I would have small get together s there and would never run into a conflict with another member.

Due to some unfortunate circumstances, the condo was sold this year. The club has moved to one of the founding members basements. This is still a very nice setup. We have room for two tables instead of three, but that really seems to be enough for our needs. Many members didn't want to make the move from Boston to Newton, so they left the club. We still have pretty much unlimited access, but you need to call ahead.

We have about 14 members now. Dues are the same. They go for improvements to the club, recovering tables and if there is any money left at the end of the year, we usually throw a party. The club has been running at or near a loss for several years, but we had done some substantial improvements. Most of those were paid for out of pocket by the owners.

I would say if you can find a cheap location and 10-15 guys, you can make it work, but you need guys you can count on. Not guys that will join for a month and leave or guys who won't have the money to pay their dues.

I have been a member for about 14 years and I am about midway down in the seniority list. Most of the members went to college together and this is kind of like their getaway during the week. They will be there until they are dead.

We have a couple of meetings a year and do have officers. We have a set of guidelines that all members are expected to follow.

Edit:

I'm sure I have photos of the old setup someplace, but it may take me a while to dig them out.
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Yeah, you have all that, but do you have a bong?
 
Tony Zinzola said:
.....snipitty do dah-----
I'm sure I have photos of the old setup someplace, but it may take me a while to dig them out.
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That would be sweet - dig man dig.
 
Cigarette, Pot and cigar smoking was once allowed in the club, but it was later banned or members were asked to take it to the office.

I don't smoke, so I wasn't affected.
 
There is a handful of such clubs here in Norway, and I think more will come. It's a fantastic idea.

The latest club is starting in Trondheim in Feb I think.

They will have 2 pooltables, a small bar, 2 computers for online poker/forum etc, big-screen tv. It is a non-profit place. All members will get a key, can play whenever they want, and they have limited the club to 16 members.

Those 16 will pay a monthly fee which will cover the rent, change of cloth, free coffee and such things.

Once a week the tables will be used for tournament.

I was member of such club, Team 147, here in Stavanger. We had pokertable, bar, 1 Gold Crown IV, 1 snookertable and tv. 10 members only. All got a key, and a monthly fee to keep the club going. We had private leagues in snooker and 9-ball at the club, played at Tuesdays. The rest of the time people had to book 1, 2 or 4 hours at an online website. This way you can guarantee that you get table-time when you go to the club. The owner allowed smoking inside.

Team147 have got quite a few sponsors. Companies who pays quite a bit for 3 evenings a year. Those evenings include free bar, trickshot-show, tournament in either pool, snooker or poker. The members of the club are bartenders, waiters and tournament directors those nights, and the income is used to sponsor players to tournaments.

Good luck with your plans!
 
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I would be interested in Kevin Lindstrom's comments. I believe he has knowledge about a long-standing private club, The Yankee Cue Club in York, PA.

Think I will PM him. Is that OK, KEvin?!;)
 
The little part of PA where we are is littered with private social clubs, but not all cater to pool, but most have a table or two. I used to play in a league that had private clubs like the Italian club (my home club), Pottstown quote club (?sp should be kwait club :) ), the Slovack club, a bunch of fire companies, tons of small bars that seem like someones living room, but man is it fun finding these places you drive by but never knew existed.

Poker machines that paid off!, punch cards, football pools, daily number books, those things you tear open and win junk, cheap drinks, good friends....

good times!
 
Roy Steffensen said:
I was member of such club, Team 147, here in Stavanger.
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Curious - you say was - did team 147 breakup up or are you no longer a member - I haven't seen any new news on their site.
 
Sounds like one of the clubs I'm a member of, but this club was incorporated in 1894!
 
I really like this thread...

Some very good ideas floating around here...and some very good and interesting personal testimonials...

Roy Steffensen used the word 'nonprofit' which is definitely something to look at. Roy is in Norway I think and rules are probably different...but there are many nonprofit social clubs in the USA.

A nonprofit is allowed to make a profit...as long as it goes back into the organization...and the Executive Director is a paid position...as well as other staff.

The University of Texas at Austin has a nonprofit program...and I'm sure they would like to spend time with you...they are by nature community oriented. I'm sure they would like to hear from you.

Best of luck

Mike
 
FSutton said:
:scratchhead:

So I've been wondering how do you guys think a private cue club/social club might do? Something small with maybe Diamond Pro Ams like 2 or 3 and maybe one Gold Crown IV. A small Bar, a nice TV for games, a few tables for card games etc. No Jukebox, no bangers, membership only. access open 24 hours a day (the bar would be on regular hours). Members pays dues maybe that would work. Sell day passes to others who want to come in. My father and I have been talking about doing this maybe in the Austin Area when we move there later this year. Dad would like to do a snooker table since there doesn't seem to be one in Austin and he loves a good golf game.

Any thoughts, ideas, input from the AZer's would be appreciated.

f
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You might want to PM Freddy the Beard and get his input.......He had two clubs that I used to be a member of, just like what you're talking about, for about 8-10 years here in Chicago.......The last one was gorgeous, with, if memory serves, four gold crowns, one 3c table, about 4 card/chess tables, a bar, and last but not least, delicious home made cake !......We had a lot of good times, and champion level $$$ action there.

- Ghost
 
JB Cases said:
You need $50,000 I can't imagine that space for about four pool tables plus a couch would cost more than $500 a month in rent. And it certainly can't cost more than $500 for utilities unless something is wrong.
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I agree it dosent take $50 dimes in front end money to start a private club, however there is no real estate in a neighborhood that anybody with out a gun would want to go that rents for $500 in Ca or Nv. Perhaps in Oregon or some other low cost of living area, even a condo in Vegas or small house that holds 3 tables would cost $1250/mo minimum before utilitys, etc.

There is no dount that private clubs could be done if everything like a perfect storm is just right. Enough willing/able members in close proxmity who are stable people not moving often, reasonable rents(Southern California is out of the question) you cant rent a garage for less than $500 or $300 for a parking space in Santa Monica(i'm not talking Beverly Hills), its bad there. But in the right place, right members, condo/house/whearhouse no doubt it would work, I have a friend in Vegas with a shopping center thats worth about $18,000,000 that has some empty space he dosent really want to lease out(i dont know why-makes no sence) but he wants to keep for "Something" he is eccentric and kinda weird-but a great friend anyways, that would be perfect if he would cooperate for example, but problem is its 40 minutes from my house-my problem, and the area its in has no pool rooms so i doubt many players. It takes the "Perfect Storm" situation. Like my good friend JohnnyT said close to home, 15 mins is the range i suspect.

I kinda have that "Club" thing at my house, my room is attached to my house but is locked out of the house (If I want it has its own entrance so you dont have to be in the house to be in the pool room.) and has a bar/refrigator/bathroom with a urnial too!!, its perfect. It has 1 9' box perfect lighting, music, rail chairs, player chairs, accustics-it dosnet eccho or sound or feel like a home table cause I did the room right(had practice) I let friends use it all the time when I'm not out there, they gamble, or play for free-I dont really pay attention, sometimes I go sweat the games, other times i dont. I love it when I have friends over playing!!! The cloth on my table looks like the front table at any big pool room, it gets played on ALOT!! Its only one table but perfect, not bragging(but i'm damn proud of it) ask anyone who has been there, they got me believing its great, they keep comming back so they must think so and they have $$ for table time somewhere else. I planned on tempoararly putting a box in the room, it felt so good I decided to make it permant, it was stone cold luck it came out so good. I have had over a dozen very well know players there too, I need to start a board on the wall for autographs of the greats who have been there. THe offer to visit is open to anyone here who finds me, I have been luckey enough to have maybe 20 AZers there!!!! I appericate it when someone takes the time out of their Vegas trip to visit and I dont let them down!!! come see for yourself


So yeah a club works if someone wants to foot the bill or most of it or its a perfect storm, and when it works it works-no doubt

best
eric
 
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