The end was near. Now it's come...

Tramp Steamer

Tramp Steamer

One Pocket enthusiast.
Silver Member
I play pool in a place called Billiard's of Springfield. Opening in 1986 with 18 Gold Crown II's, Billiards has hosted the State Nine-ball Championships, the State Eight-ball Championships, many lesser tournaments, and is called home by notable pool players Danny Harriman, Darren Everett, and funnyman Tramp Steamer. Over the years many of the world's best have played there.
Last week, after a new facade was put on the front of the building, a sign was installed with big red letters that read: 'Billiards...Sports Bar and Grill'. I damned near crapped my pants.
Has this happened to any of you? Has your pool hall gone to the dark side?
 
Tramp Steamer said:
I play pool in a place called Billiard's of Springfield. Opening in 1986 with 18 Gold Crown II's, Billiards has hosted the State Nine-ball Championships, the State Eight-ball Championships, many lesser tournaments, and is called home by notable pool players Danny Harriman, Darren Everett, and funnyman Tramp Steamer. Over the years many of the world's best have played there.
Last week, after a new facade was put on the front of the building, a sign was installed with big red letters that read: 'Billiards...Sports Bar and Grill'. I damned near crapped my pants.
Has this happened to any of you? Has your pool hall gone to the dark side?
Click to expand...

Not yet. I don't think they will ever assume the cost of putting in a kitchen and acquiring a liquor license. Just pool here, for the time being. Apparently change is the only thing you can count on.
 
Tramp,

Some call it "progress". All the rooms I visit became billiards and sports bars years ago. A few did change the exterior signage. Most just went with the flow. In my view, anything that keeps our billiard rooms open is better than a CLOSED sign in the window. Sad but true.

Know one thing for sure. If you took the video poker games out of the Las Vegas pool rooms, they'd all be closed. Strange how profit centers have changed in pool rooms over the years.

Lyn
 
cardiac kid said:
Tramp,
Some call it "progress". All the rooms I visit became billiards and sports bars years ago. A few did change the exterior signage. Most just went with the flow. In my view, anything that keeps our billiard rooms open is better than a CLOSED sign in the window. Sad but true.
Know one thing for sure. If you took the video poker games out of the Las Vegas pool rooms, they'd all be closed. Strange how profit centers have changed in pool rooms over the years.
Lyn
Click to expand...

Sad, but true. And, the place bristles with flat screen TVs, too.
 
cardiac kid said:
Tramp,

Some call it "progress". All the rooms I visit became billiards and sports bars years ago. A few did change the exterior signage. Most just went with the flow. In my view, anything that keeps our billiard rooms open is better than a CLOSED sign in the window. Sad but true.

Know one thing for sure. If you took the video poker games out of the Las Vegas pool rooms, they'd all be closed. Strange how profit centers have changed in pool rooms over the years.

Lyn
Click to expand...
The next step though is sometimes no pool tables at all, that is what happened to a place I liked to go to that was walking distance from my home.

Now it a seafood and raw bar and the old pool room is now a large dining area. Once it starts to get in extra income, it can evolve completely away from pool all together.
 
Near here was the Stick n Stein. It was a popular place to play pool. So they built a new larger building in a better location and made it look like a sports bar. It is now boarded up for the last 5 years.
 
I used to play at a place here, kind of an old throwback pool hall. You could get a fried egg sandwich and a coffee for about $3.00, the cup was clean, but it looked dirty because it had years of coffee stains on the bottom. Back then, some of us, when it was a very slow day could even be trusted to go back and get our own beer from the cooler. Everyone had a nick name, We had a "Sausage, " a "Dough Boy," "Captain," "Snake," and so on. Then Martini bars became all the rage and our pool hall became a "Sports Grill and Bar", not the traditional "Bar and Grill" but a "Sports Grill and Bar". People started wearing name tags, nick names became their given names, Erik (with a 'K') Steve, Kent.... and new food was served in wicker baskets, some new decor went up and the smell of chalk dust and beer was replaced by air atomizers with the scent of Ocean Mist and Mountain Pine. Several months later our pool hall moved to the burbs to a newer brick building with high ceilings and lots of low lights, brass fixtures, and dark wood. A year or so later it closed. I fear the same fate for you and your beloved place of refuge. You'll never find the one it used to be, but I implore you - before it's too late find a place you can live with or you'll forever be on the move looking for something that no longer exists and you'll wind up playing on bar tables where you'll be approached by "Kip" and "Tyler" and their girlfriends "Joie," and "Jennifer" who'll badger you with questions like, "Hey, do you want to play on our team?". Trust me, I know of which I speak.
 
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Celophanewrap said:
I used to play at a place here, kind of an old throwback pool hall. You could get a fried egg sandwich and a coffee for about $3.00, the cup was clean, but it looked dirty because it had years of coffee stains on the bottom. Back then, some of us, when it was a very slow day could even be trusted to go back and get our own beer from the cooler. Everyone had a nick name, We had a "Sausage, " a "Dough Boy," "Captain," "Snake," and so on. Then Martini bars became all the rage and our pool hall became a "Sports Grill and Bar", not the traditional "Bar and Grill" but a "Sports Grill and Bar". People started wearing name tags, nick names became their given names, Erik (with a 'K') Steve, Kent.... and new food was served in wicker baskets, some new decor went up and the smell of chalk dust and beer was replaced by air atomizers with the scent of Ocean Mist and Mountain Pine. Several months later our pool hall moved to the burbs to a newer brick building with high ceilings and lots of low lights, brass fixtures, and dark wood. A year or so later it closed. I fear the same fate for you and your beloved place of refuge. You'll never find the one it used to be, but I implore you - before it's too late find a place you can live with or you'll forever be on the move looking for something that no longer exists and you'll wind up playing on bar tables where you'll be approached by "Kip" and "Tyler" and their girlfriends "Joie," and "Jennifer" who'll badger you with questions like, "Hey, do you want to play on our team?". Trust me, I know of which I speak.
Click to expand...

Jesus, Joseph, and Mary! You just scared me sober. :eek:
 
Celophanewrap said:
I used to play at a place here, kind of an old throwback pool hall. You could get a fried egg sandwich and a coffee for about $3.00, the cup was clean, but it looked dirty because it had years of coffee stains on the bottom. Back then, some of us, when it was a very slow day could even be trusted to go back and get our own beer from the cooler. Everyone had a nick name, We had a "Sausage, " a "Dough Boy," "Captain," "Snake," and so on. Then Martini bars became all the rage and our pool hall became a "Sports Grill and Bar", not the traditional "Bar and Grill" but a "Sports Grill and Bar". People started wearing name tags, nick names became their given names, Erik (with a 'K') Steve, Kent.... and new food was served in wicker baskets, some new decor went up and the smell of chalk dust and beer was replaced by air atomizers with the scent of Ocean Mist and Mountain Pine. Several months later our pool hall moved to the burbs to a newer brick building with high ceilings and lots of low lights, brass fixtures, and dark wood. A year or so later it closed. I fear the same fate for you and your beloved place of refuge. You'll never find the one it used to be, but I implore you - before it's too late find a place you can live with or you'll forever be on the move looking for something that no longer exists and you'll wind up playing on bar tables where you'll be approached by "Kip" and "Tyler" and their girlfriends "Joie," and "Jennifer" who'll badger you with questions like, "Hey, do you want to play on our team?". Trust me, I know of which I speak.
Click to expand...

Wrap,

There is both great truth and sadness in your post. The future of our beloved game rooms is cloudy at best. Owners who accepted a limited income to provide a sanctuary for us pool nuts are leaving at an ever increasing rate. The old adage of "the grass is greener on the other side of the fence" comes into play. With added income comes added expenses. Nothing is free. New and improved becomes old and out of date way too fast!

Lyn
 
Tramp Steamer said:
I play pool in a place called Billiard's of Springfield. Opening in 1986 with 18 Gold Crown II's, Billiards has hosted the State Nine-ball Championships, the State Eight-ball Championships, many lesser tournaments, and is called home by notable pool players Danny Harriman, Darren Everett, and funnyman Tramp Steamer. Over the years many of the world's best have played there.
Last week, after a new facade was put on the front of the building, a sign was installed with big red letters that read: 'Billiards...Sports Bar and Grill'. I damned near crapped my pants.
Has this happened to any of you? Has your pool hall gone to the dark side?
Click to expand...

Billiards, sports bar, live music and a comedy club? Rochester had one of those years ago. Billiards in the back room (with red cloth), live music in the bar (C & W) and a comedy club up front. The entire business is now history. Hope B of S is more successful.

Lyn
 
It might be time to move...,

cardiac kid said:
Wrap,

There is both great truth and sadness in your post. The future of our beloved game rooms is cloudy at best. Owners who accepted a limited income to provide a sanctuary for us pool nuts are leaving at an ever increasing rate.


Lyn
Click to expand...
There are more Pool halls in Houston then any other city in the country and I keep hearing about guys that are thinking about opening new rooms.
Most of the rooms hear are sports bars, but there large places with plenty of tables, 15-20 8' tables and a 4-6 9' tables. There are also 7 REAL Pool Halls run by Pool players.

This seems to be one of the few places where Pool is still alive and well and that's sad.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Jesus, Joseph, and Mary! You just scared me sober. :eek:
Click to expand...

It's all true. It's been probably 7 or 8 years and I'm still looking for a place that fits. Well, with any luck (and if you're able to be game...) you'll end up on a good buzz with Jenni (with an 'i') and Joie in a bar in Las Vegas late one night when your team qualifies for the National Tournament, and you know what they say..... "What happens in Vegas...."
All the best to you Tramp, I hope it goes your way.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
I play pool in a place called Billiard's of Springfield. Opening in 1986 with 18 Gold Crown II's, Billiards has hosted the State Nine-ball Championships, the State Eight-ball Championships, many lesser tournaments, and is called home by notable pool players Danny Harriman, Darren Everett, and funnyman Tramp Steamer. Over the years many of the world's best have played there.
Last week, after a new facade was put on the front of the building, a sign was installed with big red letters that read: 'Billiards...Sports Bar and Grill'. I damned near crapped my pants.
Has this happened to any of you? Has your pool hall gone to the dark side?
Click to expand...

Just start drinking more and watching soccer and hockey. Buy a few jerseys, you will be ok once you embrace it. Goaaaaaaaaaaaaaal.
 
michael4 said:
there used to be such a thing as a pool room WITHOUT a sports bar?
Click to expand...
My home room added a bar and some big screens about 2 years ago. It was circling the drain before that - thriving now. I count my blessings.

Of course, the bar and the pool tables being in separate rooms helps a lot.

pj
chgo
 
Tramp Steamer said:
I play pool in a place called Billiard's of Springfield. Opening in 1986 with 18 Gold Crown II's, Billiards has hosted the State Nine-ball Championships, the State Eight-ball Championships, many lesser tournaments, and is called home by notable pool players Danny Harriman, Darren Everett, and funnyman Tramp Steamer. Over the years many of the world's best have played there.
Last week, after a new facade was put on the front of the building, a sign was installed with big red letters that read: 'Billiards...Sports Bar and Grill'. I damned near crapped my pants.
Has this happened to any of you? Has your pool hall gone to the dark side?
Click to expand...

How is Danny Harriman doing? Is he still in the hospital?
 
A sad situation

I started playing pool in the 50's on old leather drop pocket 9' Brunswick tables. It was just pool, soda pop, cony dogs, spittoons, cigar and cigarette smoke. I don't remember hearing any loud music or F bombs.

My little hick Alaskan town lost it's pool hall with 7 of the 9" Brunswick Centurion's 3 years ago. I don't see another one opening as the shooters around here would rather play on crappy unkempt bar box tables, where they can drink and hear loud music. Millions of salmon and halibut in our local waters don't help a billiard business in the summer either. Most Alaskan's live here for the "great outdoor's',

If you guys are fortunate to have access to a decent league and tables in a "Sports Bar" then embrace it. Even if most are 7" tables. At least you have a billiard scene going on.
 
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I am surprised to here it is still open at all. It was there in 93 when I moved to Buffalo. And it was still there in 02 when I moved back to GA. They must be doing something right to stay open that long.
 
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