I was never close to being an A-level player, but whenever I got up to New York in the 60's and 70's I always made it a point of dropping in at the pool rooms. I got to Ames one time only, in 1964 or 1966, apparently just before it closed. It was just after they'd opened for the day, and other than me and the house man the place was deserted. IIRC the tables were older, in immaculate condition, with the leather laced pockets that played a lot easier than today's Diamonds, or even the Gold Crowns of the 60's.
But mostly I played at Julian's and McGirr's. Julian's was on 14th Street across from Union Square, an upstairs room whose tables had pockets as wide as the ocean. I once put a 7-pack for $2 a game on a local player, but when someone whispered to me that I was playing the New York State Champion, I folded like an accordion and wound up the loser.
The best of them by far was McGirr's, on 8th Avenue between 44th & 45th Sts, downstairs on the west side of the Avenue. I loved everything about that place: The overall condition of the tables; the super tight pocketed regulation sized table up front; the gorgeous 5' x 10' table towards the back (my favorite); the snooker tables; and of course hustlers like "Georgia Boy" and others whom I never knew by name but who could shoot lights out. I have to wonder how many road players survived that room. Every time I went there it was jam packed with players, both in the evenings and afternoons.
Only got to the 7-11 once, and it may have been gone by the time I was pretty much fixated on McGirr's. Didn't think much of the tables, but I know the action was the point.
