What is the best pool hall you ever played in? And where is it?

schmizz said:
I hate uppity pool halls. I like dives where people go for one reason and that's to shoot pool. Not order meals, not listen to DJ's or watch bands, not watch a 100 different games on a hundred different TVs. Give me a trashy hall w/good tables, morgue lighting, vending machines and a bathroom you can catch a venereal disease just by looking at it and I'm in heaven! :groucho:

I'm actually mostly serious. A clean bathroom would be nice.
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Thats Bogies in Houston.
Family billiards in clearwater, real dive but has had some of the best action on earth thru its years.
 
Hard Times in Sacramento, CA
California Billiard Club in Mt. View, CA
The old California Billiards in Santa Clara, CA (closed many years now)
The Palace in SF
Cochrans in SF

Those are and were my favorites.

--Jeff
 
PoolBum said:
Neither have I.

I'd make the trip back to NY just to visit Chelsea Billiards again if it was still there.
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I was in NYC last week and went to check out Chelsea Billiards. Timdog24 was correct. It is called Slate now and it is a big disappointment. More ping pong than pool tables. Nobody was playing pool. I left and went to Amsterdam Billiards on 11th. Very nice place and packed with people.

Greg
 
Sealegs50 said:
I was in NYC last week and went to check out Chelsea Billiards. Timdog24 was correct. It is called Slate now and it is a big disappointment. More ping pong than pool tables. Nobody was playing pool. I left and went to Amsterdam Billiards on 11th. Very nice place and packed with people.

Greg
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Good move, thanks for your input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Best pool hall

Without a doubt, Cochran's (not sure on spelling) in the 60's on Market St in SF. It was a real old time pool hall. One of the best things ironically, was the Palace was across the street- Also a great place to shoot.
 
I don't remember the name of the place, but it was a small pool room in an artsy section of Tokyo. I saw only three tables, but I think there was another floor. Really cozy room.
 
Have been to several that I thought were nice places. Action most of the time and not a lot of loud music or a bunch of loud TVs.
Old days it was Le Cue in Houston
Now
Legends -League City, Tx.
Bogie's - Houston
Bayou Billiards - Baton Rouge
Billiard Den--Richardson,Tx. outside Dallas
Rusty's-Ft.Worth on Camp Bowie
Banana's - San Antonio- Just wish the tables were in a little better shape, but all the one hole action you want
 
I played in Mr. Cues II and Marietta Billiards Club in Atlanta, Ga. Area. They are very nice pool halls. Lot's of great players around both of them too.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
Rac n Cue, Bloomington Indiana. In the late 60's and early 70's this was the best. 35 Gold Crowns and some great road players like Nick Varner, Steve Dickerson, Art Clemments, etc. The owner was well connected and had a Joe Balsis come in to play Nick when he was just finishing at Purdue. I worked there while finishing college at Indiana University.
 
Best Pool Hall, that is a tough one.....

Most people will say best pool hall, but really the best pool hall is always your favorite. And it changes. One of my favorite pool halls was a place called Guys and Dolls in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. It was everything a pool hall should be, you had to walk down the stairs to get to it. Once you opened the door you smelled nothing but chalk and smoke. All gold crowns. There was always a sense of danger that lurked in the air. People from all walks and life.

Sadly I can't remember the last 'real' pool hall I have been in. Everywhere I go to now seems like either a Disney version of a pool hall, or a bar/restaurant that happens to have pool tables.
 
r97584 said:
Most people will say best pool hall, but really the best pool hall is always your favorite. And it changes. One of my favorite pool halls was a place called Guys and Dolls in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. It was everything a pool hall should be, you had to walk down the stairs to get to it. Once you opened the door you smelled nothing but chalk and smoke. All gold crowns. There was always a sense of danger that lurked in the air. People from all walks and life.

Sadly I can't remember the last 'real' pool hall I have been in. Everywhere I go to now seems like either a Disney version of a pool hall, or a bar/restaurant that happens to have pool tables.
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You need to come to Buffalo Billiards, the worlds pool hall. Located in Metairie/New Orleans, Louisiana. You will want to stay there.
Many Regards,
Lock N load.
 
koa2341 said:
Without a doubt, Cochran's (not sure on spelling) in the 60's on Market St in SF. It was a real old time pool hall. One of the best things ironically, was the Palace was across the street- Also a great place to shoot.
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Are these pool halls still there? I heard of one of them but not the other pool hall. It use to be so nice on the road on the West coast. Thinking about it brings back memories.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
U Frisco Boys Forgot A Couple Of Things!!!

Yes of course Cochrans was the best for me as I was just a pup when I would sneak in to watch the action!

Now lets chat about the Original Palace. U C the Original was located on the same side of the street as Cochrans and down a few blocks towards the Ferry Building.
My father took me there a few times to play before Fire destroyed it! It was a classic like Cochrans and more dingy.
The newer Palace was alright but way on the bright side 4 me even as a teenager. Hawaiian Paul and I got along pretty well.

Now lets move on 2 another Pool Hall in the City Bye The Bay.

How could U guys forget "Mikes Pool Hall" on Broadway!!

It was a fun place to hang out and catch some easy action!!

Noel
 
Amsterdam Billiards in New York City.

Just last night in weekly team 9 ball, Earl Strickland vs. Tony Robles. Haven't heard the results yet. Where else do you get match ups like this in league play ?


Society Billiards in New York City.

16 Diamond 9 foot tables and 3 Diamond 7 foot tables. All with Simonis cloth and Aramith Super Pro balls.
 
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ronscuba said:
Amsterdam Billiards in New York City.

Just last night in weekly team 9 ball, Earl Strickland vs. Tony Robles. Haven't heard the results yet. Where else do you get match ups like this in league play ?


Society Billiards in New York City.

16 Diamond 9 foot tables and 3 Diamond 7 foot tables. All with Simonis cloth and Aramith Super Pro balls.
Click to expand...

Things like this happen all the time in regular play at Buffalo Billiards, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Scott Frost, Neck Varner, Chris Gentile, Ronnie Wiseman. Joey Gray, JoeyA, Mike Black, Jammie F. Are just a few to name.
It is a very nice pool hall up there in New York.
Thanks for your input.
Many Regards,
Lock N Load.
 
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