U.S. Pool Rooms
- Thread starter Wags
- Start date
Great project Jay
I'm jealous too. Not sure how you can expect to top your home room, Shooters in Burnsville. I haven't seen many rooms anywhere that top that. I am hoping to get up to Mike Page's place one day that sounds like a one of a kind room.
But if you do get to the Pittsburgh area I might recommend stopping in to South Hills Golden Cue. Nothing that makes it world class, but truly a players room with quality equipment that is maintained. Kind of reminds me of the way pool rooms used to be. At least that was my opinion.
I would even welcome the chance to meet you there if our schedules allow. You may not remember me, you might remember my younger brother better. Probably went by One-eyed Steve he used to play in the weekly 9-ball tournament at Shooters every once in awhile. Probably spent the whole time complaining about how tough it is to compete against the young kids that don't have jobs and families to support!
I'm jealous too. Not sure how you can expect to top your home room, Shooters in Burnsville. I haven't seen many rooms anywhere that top that. I am hoping to get up to Mike Page's place one day that sounds like a one of a kind room.
But if you do get to the Pittsburgh area I might recommend stopping in to South Hills Golden Cue. Nothing that makes it world class, but truly a players room with quality equipment that is maintained. Kind of reminds me of the way pool rooms used to be. At least that was my opinion.
I would even welcome the chance to meet you there if our schedules allow. You may not remember me, you might remember my younger brother better. Probably went by One-eyed Steve he used to play in the weekly 9-ball tournament at Shooters every once in awhile. Probably spent the whole time complaining about how tough it is to compete against the young kids that don't have jobs and families to support!
Don Brinks
Someone ask earlier about Don Brinks stories. I played at Raytown Rec back in the mid 70's it was a great place. I lived in Knob Noster Mo. about 50+ miles away on the Air Force base but would make the drive 2-3 times a week. A friend would go sometimes named Ken Bernard short guy that played pretty good, and then Jim Rhome would go he was a black guy from I think Pittsburg or up there somewhere. He played great and was fun to be around. Don played 3 cushion and was a champion.
The best story there for me was Ronnie Allen playing a one armed guy named Al I think his name was, not sure now though. They played golf one handed jacked up. Both played great and Ronne was a hoot. My big sister used to hang out at the Le Que in Houston in the 60's and I ask Ronnie about her since I knew he was there then. He said oh yea I remember Cathy the big titty girl that came around. I mentioned it to her one time and she said yea that is what Ronnie would remember. Any way Raytown Rec and Don Brinks would be a place to go and someone to hear tell stories.
Good Luck on your trip
Someone ask earlier about Don Brinks stories. I played at Raytown Rec back in the mid 70's it was a great place. I lived in Knob Noster Mo. about 50+ miles away on the Air Force base but would make the drive 2-3 times a week. A friend would go sometimes named Ken Bernard short guy that played pretty good, and then Jim Rhome would go he was a black guy from I think Pittsburg or up there somewhere. He played great and was fun to be around. Don played 3 cushion and was a champion.
The best story there for me was Ronnie Allen playing a one armed guy named Al I think his name was, not sure now though. They played golf one handed jacked up. Both played great and Ronne was a hoot. My big sister used to hang out at the Le Que in Houston in the 60's and I ask Ronnie about her since I knew he was there then. He said oh yea I remember Cathy the big titty girl that came around. I mentioned it to her one time and she said yea that is what Ronnie would remember. Any way Raytown Rec and Don Brinks would be a place to go and someone to hear tell stories.
Good Luck on your trip
Ahhh...I missed you. I would have liked to meet you
Sent from my phone. Lucky you, you get the abbreviated version.
I'm traveling the highways trying to see every room in the continental U.S. before they all close. I'm getting stories, history and pictures. I'll try to post two rooms, with front door picts, every week (Mon & Fri). If any has any good stories, info, etc., please share.
I started on I29 in Grand Forks, ND so this is the first room I was at.
TJ's
Fargo Biliiards and Gastropub
I'll post another on Friday. BTW, I am in the Kansas City area right now.
I'm really jealous , I always wanted to do what you are doing.
It's a shame so many of the old landmarks have closed down.
Hope you have a great time and I can't wait to hear and see of your travels.
Someone had a 10ft One pocket table like that by Brunswick some of our regulars talk about all the time but cant remember where it was at. I was thinking the table might have been similar to those models that converted from Billiards to Pocket Billiards to Snooker tables.
What a journey. I look forward to following your thread every time you post. I'm curious how you're finding out about these places?
Finding rooms
Actually, research on the internet, yellow pages, google, google maps and the most important resource are the players in the rooms. I have found the the sites listing rooms are very out of date with all the room closings so I rarely use that resource anymore except to double check.
Actually, research on the internet, yellow pages, google, google maps and the most important resource are the players in the rooms. I have found the the sites listing rooms are very out of date with all the room closings so I rarely use that resource anymore except to double check.
I used to frequent both of these establishments quite often!
Fort Crook was a great place. I'm good friends with the owners. They had all bar boxes and one snooker table. I moved in 1998, not sure if they still have the snooker table. Used to play golf on it all the time.
Big John's was the hall for the serious players! They had mostly 9 foot Brunswick's in there at that time. I need to go back just to see what they have now. Great place to find a good game!
Just on the other side of the river in Council Bluffs, IA there was a room called Esquires. I'm pretty sure it closed down years ago though. All bar boxes. BCA and APA leagues were huge in that area, that's why there were rooms with mostly bar boxes.
Thanks for posting these. They bring back a lot of great memories.
PM me when you are getting close (two days in advance) to Buffalo Billiards in Metairie, LA (New Orleans).
Check you PMs...
If you make it up the 95 corridor into CT, you'll have a few to hit. One of them being Gold Crown Billiards in New London. Has a ton of history. The previous owners, Sy and Dolly would always support traveling pool players with lodging and a bite to eat. The current owners, the Fargo's, do as well as can be expected in the current economic climate. Not sure how much longer they can stay open.
Very impressive looking. How's the inside?