Spent a few days in Santa Cruz earlier this week. Took my sticks with me hoping to play a bit while I was down there. Checked into the hotel, and lo and behold there was an advertisement for this place in the little binder in my room. It's located smack in the middle of downtown Santa Cruz (900 block of Pacific Ave to be specific).
Went inside and was amazed at how nice this place is. Definitely the nicest room I've been in. All Brunswick Gold Crown IV's. 20+ tables in the place, with a nice layout so there's no bumping elbows. 2 rows along both walls, and 3 in the middle. I asked the bartender if any of the tables were shimmed. He said no, but the 3 in the middle had 4" pockets (I had to chuckle a little). Prices were a little steep at $10/hour, but they cut a break if you're playing by yourself (like I was) and charge $6/hour. Drink prices were as expected, a little high compared to what I'm used to.
They advertised as being one of the "10 Best New Pool Rooms Of 2008" by Billiards Digest. Again, I had to chuckle a little bit. In this day and age with rooms closing left and right, I wouldn't doubt if there were only 10 new rooms opened in 2008.
I chose one of the tight tables in the middle. Table played absolutely level and the cloth and rails were in great shape. Perfect racks first try every time. All tables were clothed with Simonis 860 as far as I could tell. All but 1 were in a dark/royal blue color, which I quickly realized I wasn't a fan of. The 1 off color was red (ughh). Place was pretty much empty both times I went in.
If you happen to find yourself in the Santa Cruz area, this place definitely seems to be the place to play. Just be prepared to pay for it. Also, if you're drinking I'd recommend beer. Their drinks were pretty weak for the price (3 7&7's and I didn't catch anything but a swollen bar tab, let alone a buzz).
Went inside and was amazed at how nice this place is. Definitely the nicest room I've been in. All Brunswick Gold Crown IV's. 20+ tables in the place, with a nice layout so there's no bumping elbows. 2 rows along both walls, and 3 in the middle. I asked the bartender if any of the tables were shimmed. He said no, but the 3 in the middle had 4" pockets (I had to chuckle a little). Prices were a little steep at $10/hour, but they cut a break if you're playing by yourself (like I was) and charge $6/hour. Drink prices were as expected, a little high compared to what I'm used to.
They advertised as being one of the "10 Best New Pool Rooms Of 2008" by Billiards Digest. Again, I had to chuckle a little bit. In this day and age with rooms closing left and right, I wouldn't doubt if there were only 10 new rooms opened in 2008.
I chose one of the tight tables in the middle. Table played absolutely level and the cloth and rails were in great shape. Perfect racks first try every time. All tables were clothed with Simonis 860 as far as I could tell. All but 1 were in a dark/royal blue color, which I quickly realized I wasn't a fan of. The 1 off color was red (ughh). Place was pretty much empty both times I went in.
If you happen to find yourself in the Santa Cruz area, this place definitely seems to be the place to play. Just be prepared to pay for it. Also, if you're drinking I'd recommend beer. Their drinks were pretty weak for the price (3 7&7's and I didn't catch anything but a swollen bar tab, let alone a buzz).
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He followed me in, wouldn't leave me alone and proceeded to hassle me at my table to play for at least $1K. When I finally got rude and basically told him to F off he called me a nit and told me I'm an idiot cuz I just cost myself $10K. I'm just way past that in my life where I need that chaotic crap.
Maybe it's because in a pool room I've always got a weapon in my hands. 