What would you PAY extra for at your local pool hall?
- Thread starter cueandcushion
- Start date
I'd just like to have a pool room here.
The bar that I play tournaments in have the worst tables I've ever seen. The pool hall that used to be here is now a church. 4 hour drive to play in Phoenix. 2 hours to Vegas. So, I'd pay extra just to HAVE a pool hall. Peace, John.
The bar that I play tournaments in have the worst tables I've ever seen. The pool hall that used to be here is now a church. 4 hour drive to play in Phoenix. 2 hours to Vegas. So, I'd pay extra just to HAVE a pool hall. Peace, John.
PoolSleuth
Banned
Rude Dog said:
John have you considered going to the SBA, and applying for a Minority Business Loan, and opening a Small pool Hall in Kingman?
PlynSets said:
That is if one exists....
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Just a couple of additions: top what expect without a cover, below what I'd consider paying a small amount extra to support.
onepocketchump said:
Lots of great suggestions!
I am kinda surprised by the number of people talking about SmokeEaters. We put in 4 SmokeEaters at $1700 a piece, they still cant keep up with the smoke on a Saturday night at times. It drives me nuts! In Saint Louis last year the county council put forth a measure to ban smoking in ALL businesses (with the exception of the casinos, Ummm guess someone got paid for) It failed by one vote. I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. One thing I noticed is many suggestions would be illegal here in Missouri, I guess every state has different laws and therefore different options for business owners. Not to mention local city laws about licensing etc. So for now...no naked rack girls.
I am kinda surprised by the number of people talking about SmokeEaters. We put in 4 SmokeEaters at $1700 a piece, they still cant keep up with the smoke on a Saturday night at times. It drives me nuts! In Saint Louis last year the county council put forth a measure to ban smoking in ALL businesses (with the exception of the casinos, Ummm guess someone got paid for) It failed by one vote. I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. One thing I noticed is many suggestions would be illegal here in Missouri, I guess every state has different laws and therefore different options for business owners. Not to mention local city laws about licensing etc. So for now...no naked rack girls.
How about comfortable bar stools and tables around all tables and particulary around match up / gathering area.
Give people a comfy place to sit with a table and they'll consume more.
The cover charge could go toward vouchers that can be redeemed on drinks, food, table-time etc. Maybe $8 instead of $3, and offer a member's deal so regulars will commit to $20+/month with a list of perks / discounts and so they can avoid the hassle at the door. I'd let the girls in free though.
First time visitors get free entry. Don't want to scare off potential clients who are coming in for the first time.
This should get rid of the lurkers who often take up the prime real-estate.
Give people a comfy place to sit with a table and they'll consume more.
The cover charge could go toward vouchers that can be redeemed on drinks, food, table-time etc. Maybe $8 instead of $3, and offer a member's deal so regulars will commit to $20+/month with a list of perks / discounts and so they can avoid the hassle at the door. I'd let the girls in free though.
First time visitors get free entry. Don't want to scare off potential clients who are coming in for the first time.
This should get rid of the lurkers who often take up the prime real-estate.
You know what I would love to see? Cue lockers! This really old tavern here locally has these cue lockers that run on the bottom of the wall...about the same height as a chair rail would be....just big enough to put a cue case in.
Perhaps, with a monthly membership...or additional fee each visit, a cue locker could be provided to patrons/members. This would allow for a patron's equipment security, and reduce the attraction of would-be thieves. Might help in reducing the 'criminal' element from frequenting an establishment so equipped.
I know one of our local ski areas has a similar 'ski check'. I used it every time I went up....it was worth the extra 2.00 - 4.00 for the piece of mind of having your equipment secured while you were busy with eating, bathroom, drinking...Lol.
Just a thought.
Lisa
Perhaps, with a monthly membership...or additional fee each visit, a cue locker could be provided to patrons/members. This would allow for a patron's equipment security, and reduce the attraction of would-be thieves. Might help in reducing the 'criminal' element from frequenting an establishment so equipped.
I know one of our local ski areas has a similar 'ski check'. I used it every time I went up....it was worth the extra 2.00 - 4.00 for the piece of mind of having your equipment secured while you were busy with eating, bathroom, drinking...Lol.
Just a thought.
Lisa
Compared to what I have now? Diamond pool tables and Gabriels carom tables.cueandcushion said:
(I suppose I should mention that the room already has cue lockers, good house sticks, reasonable if not extensive food, Simonis on GCs, and is totally smoke-free.)
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Cue Lockers...
We put in 12 cue lockers last year as a perk to our regular customers. We provide them free of charge, but with the every increasing size of pool cases the locker size must keep going up too. Our last set of cue lockers would hold one hard 1x2 cue case or 2 soft cue cases. We still have 8 small ones that guys use. Now the new lockers are about 4 times that size with all the 3x5 and 4x8 cases our guys have. Wish I had room for more.
We put in 12 cue lockers last year as a perk to our regular customers. We provide them free of charge, but with the every increasing size of pool cases the locker size must keep going up too. Our last set of cue lockers would hold one hard 1x2 cue case or 2 soft cue cases. We still have 8 small ones that guys use. Now the new lockers are about 4 times that size with all the 3x5 and 4x8 cases our guys have. Wish I had room for more.
T
Timberly
Guest
Waitstaff knowing pool etiquette??? LOL, I'm beginging to wonder if there is such a thing. I go to most of the Tiger Planet Pool events and the waitstaff never ceases to amaze me with their lack of knowledge in pool etiquette. Walking inbetween tourney tables while players are down on a shot, asking them questions while they're down on a shot.onepocketchump said:
I realize that the waitstaff may not play pool and know the ways of the world in pool. I think it's the responsibility of the owner or mgr (depending on the size of the room) to educate the waitstaff on pool room etiquette.
A ph in my area started becoming a hangout for kids. They weren't spending any money. The ph owner started charging them $5 on Friday and Saturday nights to get in. He gave them $5 worth of monopoly type money in exchange for their $5. They could spend that monopoly type money in his ph. He knew he was going to get at least $5 bucks from everyone who went it. I thought it was pretty smart. Let me just add, he has been extremely successful, he just bought a house in an exclusive neighborhood costing well in excess of 1 million bucks.
$5 monopoly money
I know another pool room near me did the same thing. Gave a ticket for $5 when you walk in. They had a big problem with loitering. Then you had to play a minimum of $5 pool. (Regular players were exempted from the policy)
In our pool room, we've had the same problem with large groups of kids coming in with no money and just looking to hang out. We charge at least 50% of the group whether they play pool or not. Has helped out with keeping out the riff raff that never has a dollar to their name. Its a hard balancing act to make everyone happy. Last night I had a group of 9 people come in and told me only 1 person was playing pool. When I told them our policy (of charging half the group) 6 of them shrugged their shoulder and said they "gots no money". I guess they wont be back......it's sad to lose a customer that spends no money. I think I will go cry now.
I know another pool room near me did the same thing. Gave a ticket for $5 when you walk in. They had a big problem with loitering. Then you had to play a minimum of $5 pool. (Regular players were exempted from the policy)
In our pool room, we've had the same problem with large groups of kids coming in with no money and just looking to hang out. We charge at least 50% of the group whether they play pool or not. Has helped out with keeping out the riff raff that never has a dollar to their name. Its a hard balancing act to make everyone happy. Last night I had a group of 9 people come in and told me only 1 person was playing pool. When I told them our policy (of charging half the group) 6 of them shrugged their shoulder and said they "gots no money". I guess they wont be back......it's sad to lose a customer that spends no money. I think I will go cry now.
Thanks to everyone that responded with real ideas. It was a learning experience.
cueandcushion said:
space, i'd pay extra for enough space to not have to always wait or ask some else to move so i could shoot
If you got a good deal on pool time would you...PlynSets said:
Paying extra
Where you at??
We have trouble getting lap dances here.
PROG8R said:
Where you at??
We have trouble getting lap dances here.