some observations on memphis pool scene

[lorider]

had a pool hall close 2 weeks ago. it had been here forever. it was and old style place. no juke box , no nothing, just pool tables. served beer and decent pub food.

i attribute his closing to several things. first and formost was no advertising. i had been living here 6 years before i heard of his place. i knew the old man for 5 years before i learned he did cue repairs and 6 years before i learned he converted house cues . the place needed sprucing up and the tables needed work but he kept the place clean. he just refused to change with the times. i am going to miss the place.

here is what i mean by him not changing with the times. this weekend i went to another pool hall celebrating their 6 year anniversary. the place was packed. they had a dart tournament, poker tournament and pool tournament all going on at the same time. the juke box was too loud and most of the music was not to my taste but people were steadily putting money in it. a lot of the younger generation hangs out here, not exactly my kind of crowd. my ideal pool hall would be somewhere between this place and the one that just closed.

more later, got to go play league. would like to hear your thoughts on what type of pool hall is your preference.

 

[randyg]

Sorry to hear that.

I like a place that focuses on pool.


Do your Mother Drills 1-2-3 every day!

randyg

 

[Six Shooter]

I prefer something very similar to the OP's preferred type of place. Music is ok but not at the top of the volume but not dead quiet. Good music at that but I reckon that it is subjective on what is considered good music based on everyone's prefs.

Definitely clean. No odors of old burned grease coming out of the kitchen. Must have decent food.

I can handle either smoking or non-smoking etsablishments.

Crowds are ok. Young or old as long as they are not interfering with my time as well.

I prefer an establishment that does serve alcohol. Not because I imbibe a whole lot and never when I am driving but there is always a little activity going on somewhere usually.

I can do fine at a non-alc. establishment but it always seems that though they are recognized as family recreation centers, it's generally dead there unless it's the only place in town and I have to try to imagine what it must be like for an owner to constantly worry about clientele based on the serving and consumption of alcohol or not.

 

[ctyhntr]

Sorry to hear another pool hall closed. I had a heart to heart talk with a local pool hall owner a couple of months back, about improving table conditions, music, etc. His insight was that he/she must generate enough revenue to cover his expenses, and hopefully turn a profit. He pointed out that to me that his bar/catering customers spend more than pool players. The reality was unless you present a better financial incentive to pursue your business, no business owner is willing to go broke catering to you.