What Are the Hot NYC Area Rooms?

[DJSTEVEZ]

Hi gang,
I feel like the Rip Van Winkle of Pool. I was very into the scene back in the late 80's to the mid 90's but have been out of it since. My buddies and I used to do all-nighters starting out in the early evening at rooms in Queens, then hitting the late night and all night haunts in Manhattan.

Some of these included The Golden Q, Abel's Tables (Astoria), Amsterdam (when it was circa 72nd St on the West side) The Corner Pocket (which is now where Amsterdam Billiards calls home), Mammoth (Chelsea, West side), Society, The Billiard Club, and always finishing up at Chelsea (on W 21st). Honorable mentions go out to Tekk/Fat Cat, Westside Billiards, Jacks, Whitestone Billiards (in Queens) and West End in Elizabeth, NJ.

The boys want to get together and hit some balls & rooms soon. I see a lot has changed. In NJ it appears Sandcastle has taken over the rep West End used to have.

SO, what are the must see, hot rooms in Queens & NYC? Thanx! -Z-

 

[Kris_b1104]

In Queens, the premier room that's a must visit is Steinway Cafe & Billiards(house Pro is Strickland) . In Brooklyn you have Gotham City Billiards. Manhattan, I think Society and Amsterdam are still the most popular. In Long Island, you have Raxx Pool room in Hempstead. Those are the most popular ones that I know of. You also have BQE billiards in Jackson Heights, Queens.

 

[FranCrimi]

Sounds like you're getting little forgetful, too. The room was Corner Billiards not Corner Pocket.

 

[ctyhntr]

Golden Cue on Queens Blvd is now Play Lounge.

Amsterdam Billiards moved down from the Upper East side when their building was condemned to take over Corner Billiards. Your visit to New York City is not complete without a stop at Amsterdam.

Chelsea Billiards is now a nightclub called Slate. Fat Cat is still around, down by Christopher street. To me you'll likely get a game of Magic, The Gathering, or Cards Against Humanity than pool. If you want action, you go to Steinway in Queens.

Society Billiards is now where Broadway Billiards (21st and Broadway not 145th & Broadway) used to be. They are the largest room with Diamond tables in NYC.

I was told when Whitestone Billiards closed, all their tables ended up at Paradise in Sunnyside. They're now closed, joining the ranks of Masters. Many of the former staff at Masters are now at Steinway.

For action, you now go to Steinway in Astoria, ask for Finnegan or Mio. They've taken over the title of action room from Masters, which took over from Golden Cue on Queens Blvd. Whenever the filipinos (Efren, Bustamante, Parica) are in town, they all hang out at Steinway. The house pro at Steinway is a guy named Earl Strickland. I heard he's pretty good, and a very patient instructor.

 

[PoolBum]

Chelsea Billiards is now a nightclub called Slate.

The horror!

 

[Keith Jawahir]

Skyline billiards is not too far from Gotham, and it's another good spot. Jorge Rodriguez is usually there. Mondays and Wednesdays about 7pm at Steinway would probably be your best bet for action since that's when Finnegan's weekly tournament is held.

 

[cleary]

Steinway, Skyline, Gotham and Amsterdam are the best rooms in NYC imo. Probably in that order.

 

[cleary]

Society Billiards is now where Broadway Billiards (21st and Broadway not 145th & Broadway) used to be. They are the largest room with Diamond tables in NYC.

They're basically a club like Slate… If you want to hear a live DJ, buy $12 beers and watch people dance around, it's great! If you want to play pool or match up, you might want to look elsewhere.