What is the most important thing in a successful pool hall?

[flyvirginiaguy]

liquor license a bit

Those help more than just a bit. Table time is just an extra when you have one of those. It will bring a social in the hall that normally would not just go to play pool. Even gets them interested in the game.

And definitely equipment and cleanliness of the place. There is a couple halls in my general area that would be great if done so, but it deters people from going to those.

 

[cyork2]

If you want people like my wife you need to have clean bathrooms.

Equipment is top of the list for my league team - doesn't have to be any particular brand but pocket size is a big deal - none of the top league players I know want to play at Fox N Hound (Dallas) because the pockets are too easy which is a shame because they are some of the nicest actual places to play and they do maintain their equipment.

No one has mentioned it but if I have multiple good options I'll pick a place with better table spacing. Not critical and I know closer together = more tables = more money so you gotta do what you gotta do.

No karaoke. Music is great but not night at 'night club' volume levels that I have to yell over. TVs for sports is even better but if you want to drive more home team fans you should turn off the jukebox during games.

You have to know your target market.. during the week your probably going after league players to fill the place up on off nights. On those nights you don't want to have a live band come in (as one example). However on the weekends that might be exactly what you want since your target market may be a more casual / club atmosphere.

good luck

 

[R3DS!X]

I have 5 different pool halls that are closer to me than the one I go to.

The one I go to has decent tables, decent beer on tap, decent food. the other halls will have at least one of those. There is another place a little further than the one I go to which has excellent beer, food, and tables.

The biggest thing for me though is the staff. The staff at the hall I go to are really cool. They know me by name and know my preferences and its not like I have been going there for years.

 

[1on1pooltournys]

Draw the general public!

I haven't read through what folks are saying...but I know that a GOOD poolroom needs to be able to get the general public in the door!

Whatever that might be. Good food, drink, atmosphere, etc. Equipment is important, but unfortunately pool players usually don't pay the bills. A balance is needed to have the best of both worlds. I've see only a few successful places. Maybe someday if pool makes a surge the great American Pool Room will come back to life.

 

[CJ Wiley]

few can create an environment that attracts the "general public".

I haven't read through what folks are saying...but I know that a GOOD poolroom needs to be able to get the general public in the door!

Whatever that might be. Good food, drink, atmosphere, etc. Equipment is important, but unfortunately pool players usually don't pay the bills. A balance is needed to have the best of both worlds. I've see only a few successful places. Maybe someday if pool makes a surge the great American Pool Room will come back to life.

Yes, you can always predict the success of a pool room by the quality of the women that frequent the place. They are the best judges of cleanliness, atmosphere and service. The equipment is important, but hardly the most important quality - anyone can buy and service a pool table.... few can create an environment that attracts the "general public".

Controlling the music is a powerful step in the right direction to control the atmosphere. Letting the public control what music is playing is a mistake that usually goes unrecognized. 'The Game is the Teacher'

 

[1 Lone Wolf]

Maybe

Great or good food, Full bar, Lots of TVs with sports on all of them. Live Music on the weekends, Karaoki or a DJ on a couple nights during the week. Now go in the adjacent billiard room, that's right , it must be separated. Have all of the leagues you can , have handicap tournaments during the week. Have some good $ added events to attract good players. It must be kept clean, pool tables , restrooms , etc. It is hard to make it without all of the above. Gary Lutman

 

[franko]

That's it

I haven't read through what folks are saying...but I know that a GOOD poolroom needs to be able to get the general public in the door!

Whatever that might be. Good food, drink, atmosphere, etc. Equipment is important, but unfortunately pool players usually don't pay the bills. A balance is needed to have the best of both worlds. I've see only a few successful places. Maybe someday if pool makes a surge the great American Pool Room will come back to life.

That's it for me also.We had a gorgeous room built here in N. East OH in 2008.It had great food , full Liquor lic. 14 brand new 9 footers, a pro shop, it had everything but Pool players.The owner did not know how to get people in the door.The owner of a very successful room 30 miles south tried to offer him some advice but he stayed the course.He closed his doors 6 months from opening.You need body's, some will eat some will play the people become regulars and the regulars create the atmospher. This room came in 2nd or 3rd in Billiard Digest best new rooms.One more thing it had unlimited parking and was freeway accessible. Some owners have that knack with customers some don't.

 

[thefonz]

In this order:
- great tits
- good tables
- great food

If I had the money, I've always thought of opening a hall with servers wearing lingerie:thumbup:

 

[jay helfert]

Yes, you can always predict the success of a pool room by the quality of the women that frequent the place. They are the best judges of cleanliness, atmosphere and service. The equipment is important, but hardly the most important quality - anyone can buy and service a pool table.... few can create an environment that attracts the "general public".

Controlling the music is a powerful step in the right direction to control the atmosphere. Letting the public control what music is playing is a mistake that usually goes unrecognized. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Here is a guy who has owned clubs! You have to make people "want" to come in. Having a good atmosphere and good service (plus clean restrooms!) will go a long way to making that happen.

What worked for me was smart, cute (sexy too) and friendly waitresses, lots of TV's (big screens a plus) for watching sports and lots of room for people to move around. Cramming as many tables as possible into a small space is a big no no. Everyone wants their own little space to have fun and not be bumping into the folks next to them.

I never went for a full kitchen. Good pizza, burgers, nachos w/cheese, and hot wings will satisfy most customers craving for food. They aren't there for a gourmet meal anyway. They are there to have fun and good finger food will suffice. Buy quality meat and charge a little more. I always bought the best hamburger meat and raised the price maybe fifty cents.

Remember this, "cheap is expensive!" Going the cheap route will cost you in the long run, with lost customers and lost business.

I liked having variety. Pool, ping pong, foosball, bar tables, video games (basketball, golf, driving, shooting all are good) and you MUST have an ATM! A good digital juke box will make you money as well. But YOU chose the music! I would not let them put gangster rap and crap like that on there.

Beer and wine is a must to be successful. Full liquor of course is even better, but you need a lot more controls to maximize your return.

 

[smoooothstroke]

Good pool players.

 

[measureman]

Free water of course :grin:

 

[Grilled Cheese]

Some (former) pool room owners thought that booze was everything, and nothing else mattered. Unfortunately for them, they didn't even do liquor service well either.

The reality is, people are there for the pool first. While yes, they drink and they are there for that too - pool is number one. Period. No if ands or buts. Because if it was just for the alcohol, they could just go to any number of bars which are just bars.

A surprising number of owners can't get this through their head. Some get away with it, because they're the only show in town.

A great pool room has the following:

1. Good equipment kept in good shape.
2. Good service. (in other words, fast service)

After those two huge items...

3. Good Food
4. Nice atmosphere
5. Reasonable prices
6. Clean

Of course, other nice things include leagues, music, events, tournaments and other things which add buzz and fun to the overall pool room.


It comes down to the owner. The pool room is always a reflection of the owner and their work ethic, objectives and world view. If the owner is a good player, and still enjoys the game - probably will have good equipment in there. If he is also serious about business and isn't just about pool and nothing else - they will have a good staff that gives good service. I've seen the other extreme where they owner is all about pool, and the place is old and boring. No attention to music, bar, food or anything else.

That is why so many pool rooms are awful. It was someone with some capital at the right time and place to try and do something. Not always do they love what they do, or had any kind of deep knowledge or insight into the business. Most pool room owners I've met are extremely lazy. They have it setup to the point where it runs, profits enough for their liking and to where it can be almost hands-off for them. Which is why they are dirty, managed poorly and not very fun. But so long as it pleases a certain critical mass of people to keep it afloat and turn a profit for the owner - they could care less about making it a truly enjoyable place with wider appeal. A place that can create even more profit.

Most owners I've met come in around 11am - 12pm, go into the office, collect the cash from the previous night and then leave. You won't see them there at night. You won't see them much during the day. The bartender and/or manager of the place "runs" it...and usually steals from the owner. The owner knows this, and does not care - so long as they get what they want out of the place, they won't rock the boat.

Whomever has been reading this long post can surely relate to have seen the same in their neck of the woods.

 

[CJ Wiley]

how powerful the music really was in an entertainment concept

Here is a guy who has owned clubs! You have to make people "want" to come in. Having a good atmosphere and good service (plus clean restrooms!) will go a long way to making that happen.

What worked for me was smart, cute (sexy too) and friendly waitresses, lots of TV's (big screens a plus) for watching sports and lots of room for people to move around. Cramming as many tables as possible into a small space is a big no no. Everyone wants their own little space to have fun and not be bumping into the folks next to them.

I never went for a full kitchen. Good pizza, burgers, nachos w/cheese, and hot wings will satisfy most customers craving for food. They aren't there for a gourmet meal anyway. They are there to have fun and good finger food will suffice. Buy quality meat and charge a little more. I always bought the best hamburger meat and raised the price maybe fifty cents.

Remember this, "cheap is expensive!" Going the cheap route will cost you in the long run, with lost customers and lost business.

I liked having variety. Pool, ping pong, foosball, bar tables, video games (basketball, golf, driving, shooting all are good) and you MUST have an ATM! A good digital juke box will make you money as well. But YOU chose the music! I would not let them put gangster rap and crap like that on there.

Beer and wine is a must to be successful. Full liquor of course is even better, but you need a lot more controls to maximize your return.

Very good points.....I agree with everything except making money off the music. This has a value far greater than the $700 a month you make in revenue....controlling the atmosphere through music can make "time stand still" and this will vastly increase revenue day in and day out. The Juke Box may have great music, but it will still stop and start with no "flow". My experience in the Dance Club showed me how powerful the music really was in an entertainment concept.....and that's what a pool room really is.

 

[(((Satori)))]

Very good points.....I agree with everything except making money off the music. This has a value far greater than the $700 a month you make in revenue....controlling the atmosphere through music can make "time stand still" and this will vastly increase revenue day in and day out. The Juke Box may have great music, but it will still stop and start with no "flow". My experience in the Dance Club showed me how powerful the music really was in an entertainment concept.....and that's what a pool room really is.

C.J.'s Billiard palace was an awesome place. I went to a few great tournaments there back in the day and can see how it would have made for a great local room to play out of.

 

[Grilled Cheese]

I have to agree with the comments about the gangsta rap. But that goes for any kind of music that is outside of the mainstream. Whether it be some hillbilly music (when not in the South), death metal, hardcore/punk or anything on the extreme - it's not good for business.

Someone will inevitably drop a $20 in the juke and play their crap for an hour. Yes, you made $20, but that will cause about $200-$500 to walk out the door if not more.

I have seen first hand how bad music can drive people out. A room I used to visit brought in the gangsta crowd. They starting playing that crap non-stop and I would literally see and hear each and every regular say "I can't listen to that crap" and leave. Needless to say, that place isn't in business anymore. Never seen ownership so oblivious to what their customer base wants and thinks...

A good businessman understand demographics. Appeals to the widest number of people. You may not wow any one person, but the goal is not to drive anyone out.

I'm not one to get annoyed easily or quickly by music of any type...but I've been to places where the gangsta rap becomes overbearing. A few songs here and there, whatever. But if it is non-stop, I'll leave. Some say that's tough luck - don't want to hear it, pay up and play your tunes. Well sorry...my idea of a fun night out isn't competing with everyone to dominate what is coming out of the juke so that I don't become annoyed. That in itself is annoying.

If the owner thinks that's good business, they are fools. Because what are they making on that box vs my table time, drinks, food etc? Not just me, but the party who is with me. It's no comparison.

The room I frequent most has preset music on weekends, also occasional DJ or they'll even put the radio on a mainstream station. They are quite successful.

 

[mikepage]

Very good points.....I agree with everything except making money off the music. This has a value far greater than the $700 a month you make in revenue....controlling the atmosphere through music can make "time stand still" and this will vastly increase revenue day in and day out. The Juke Box may have great music, but it will still stop and start with no "flow". My experience in the Dance Club showed me how powerful the music really was in an entertainment concept.....and that's what a pool room really is.

I think CJ makes an excellent--and thoroughly unappreciated--point about the role of the music.

I fail to understand why any room owner would allow a single patron to put a dollar in a machine and choose the ambiance for every patron in the building for a few minutes.

What if there was another machine that for a dollar would change the odor of the air for three minutes---wild cherry, creamy vanilla, mountain pine...or another machine that for a dollar would change the color of the cloth for everybody. Or a dollar to adjust the thermostat... Or a dollar to change the colors of the walls for three minutes... Or a dollar for the volume on the music...

Abdicating control of any of these things--including the music--makes no sense to me.

 

[CJ Wiley]

keep$ the "larger than life" buzz going year round.

C.J.'s Billiard palace was an awesome place. I went to a few great tournaments there back in the day and can see how it would have made for a great local room to play out of.

Yes, CJ's Billiard Palace was quite a pool room, at one time we had as much action as any other and the major tournaments helped too. I did 6 televised shows out of that pool room with Earl, Andam, Potier, Jimmy Mataya, Roger Griffis, etc.

We ran 4 commercials a night on ESPN for 3 straight years....this was what really kept CJ's in the public eye. The televised events and the commercials work well together and keep$ the "larger than life" buzz going year round.

 

[Frankenstroke]

I don't think you can underestimate to the "action" factor. A room with a reputation as an "action" room will attract action players, young wannabee's, railbirds who will buy a drink and sweat the action.

You want to walk into a poolroom and "smell money" ala The Color of Money.
You want to get a young boy's attention? Tell him how the 2 guys over there are playing for $100. He will watch a while, then jump on a table and practice. Wasn't that how most of us got hooked?

 

[PaulieB]

Yes, you can always predict the success of a pool room by the quality of the women that frequent the place. They are the best judges of cleanliness, atmosphere and service. The equipment is important, but hardly the most important quality - anyone can buy and service a pool table.... few can create an environment that attracts the "general public".

Controlling the music is a powerful step in the right direction to control the atmosphere. Letting the public control what music is playing is a mistake that usually goes unrecognized. 'The Game is the Teacher'

Honestly, I read through this post and wondered what the real question was ... is it what matters to the pool players of this community or what matters to the pool room owners. They are two different things.

A liquor license with big sales is easily the most important things to a pool hall. I don't care if they have crappy equipment, rude waitstaff, lousy food,etc ... if you want to make money then open up a pool hall with huge liquor sales.

Everyone posting about a good pool hall and talking about good equipment is talking about expenses to the pool hall that brings no real return on investment. It is just what the players want. We can all agree that good equipment is a sign of a good place to go to, but if some of us vote for good equipment and show up looking to spend 4 bucks on table time and drink water... the place won't stay open for long.

Seriously, waitstaff, booze sales, food menu ... all come first, in that order , imo. If you don't put those first you will not have the money to keep the place open to buy good equipment to keep the real players coming in. The real players are not always the real spenders... and you have to keep a balance between keeping the players happy and keeping the doors open.

 

[jay helfert]

Very good points.....I agree with everything except making money off the music. This has a value far greater than the $700 a month you make in revenue....controlling the atmosphere through music can make "time stand still" and this will vastly increase revenue day in and day out. The Juke Box may have great music, but it will still stop and start with no "flow". My experience in the Dance Club showed me how powerful the music really was in an entertainment concept.....and that's what a pool room really is.

My juke box was wired into the sound system so that as soon as it stopped playing, my own music would kick in. I regulated what music was offered on the juke box and made sure to have lots of oldies, soft rock, classics, etc.