Stay away from? as in no action? I have not been there since the flood so I do not even know if these places are even around any more but there's the legendary "Sports Palace" on Jefferson Hwy. and also "Pickle's Poolroom" right across the street.
Take it from me Steve: The good days of The Sport Palace and Pickle's Sportsbar are LONG gone, unfortunately. Please be careful if you go to either of these two places as they have gone downhill in recent years.
Buffalo Billiards on Airline Drive in Metairie (Open 24/7 w/many 9 foot Diamond Tables and LIghts and
reluctantly, Banger's Paradise aka: Corner Pocket in Kenner,LA with some decent Brunswick tables and Diamond lights.
Buffalo Billiards is more of a player's room with a handicapped tournament on Tuesday night at 8:00 pm and a Friday handicapped one pocket tournament at 1:30 PM. It's where I play. If you want to say hi, just ask for JoeyA. I'm around more than I should be.