What's the difference between a spectator chair and a regular bar or kitchen stool?

I sit in a spectator chair when playing average bangers. I sit in the recliners when playing the break and run guys. I have a two-seat spectator chairs on the opposite side of the room.

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MurrayNevada said:
I sit in a spectator chair when playing average bangers. I sit in the recliners when playing the break and run guys. I have a two-seat spectator chair on the opposite side of the room.
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Thanks, Murray, for the photo. The couch and chairs look very close to the table. Don't they interfere with where you'd want to put your feet and butt while crouching down to line up and hit a ball that is close to the rail? How many inches of clearance do you actually have? (maybe the perspective of the photo is deceptive)
 
The photo is deceptive and there is plenty of room all around. That corner chair is very far from the table. I do occasionally have to put the footrest of one of the recliners down for the shooter's convenience. If they are really good, I'll just stretch out across the couch. Good luck with your set-up.
 
Specs for the Diamond chairs, from their website: Chair Height - 42½” Seat Height – 25” Seat Width – 23” Total Unit Width – 6’

And note that the two chairs can be used either as a unit with the accessory tray connecting them or separately by just not attaching the accessory tray.
 
Go to a place that sells pool tables and talk with them. They will probably have some on site or will recommend something for you. Unless your gonna be running a pool hall in your house, don’t worry about anything other than does it look good in the room.
 
NewFloridian said:
We're new pool table owners (a beautiful 12-year-old Connelly!) so please forgive the newbie question... From what I can tell, the seat height for purpose-built pool spectator chairs is 25-33". A standard bar-height stool has a 30" seat height. Instead of paying $450-900 for a "spectator chair", why not get some bar stools for a lot less? The upside of the bar stools is that they usually swivel, which would make it easier to follow the action. The downside of the bar stools is that they don't include cupholders or a notch for a cue stick (but if it is truly just a notch in the wood, maybe that could be added to a non-swivel bar stool and is a simple notch in the wood secure enough for a valuable cue stick? Would you leave a Dennis Searing cue in a spectator chair notch?)

If the answer is "You have to have spectator chairs", what is the best seat height to select? And what are some good brands/sources? We live in South Florida (Jupiter).

Thanks in advance for any advice!
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Our Renaissance would products commercial spectator chairs are 29 inch seat height, 12 inch foot rest height, 38 1/2 inch armrest height, 10 inch back rest height starting 4 inches above seat rest height, 46 inches to top of back rest posts, Seat rest 21 inch width by 17 inch depth, armrests two and three-quarter inches wide by 21 1/2 inches long, overall width of chair 24 inches, two layers of support braces below seat wrist on three sides, with only the foot rest in the front, Wood slats on seats are one and three-quarter inches wide except the very first one on the front of the seat which is 3 inches wide. If you PM me your cell phone, I will send you some photos.
 
Next thing your going to tell him is you don't actually need billiard shoes.

A spectator chair done right is comfortable, high and easy to get in and out of. They are usually 28-30 inch seat height which is the standard for sitting at a 42 inch high bar or high top table. Many will have a large footrest to make getting in and out easy. A bar stool you climb into and may not get up for hours.

I have these from American Heritage Billiards. I know a guy who knows a guy and was buying 4 of them plus a high top table and 6 swivel stools so I only paid a small fortune.
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Our spectator chair's seat are about 30" which is approximately the height of the slate from the floor. Perfect for viewing and easy to get in and out of the chair. If they are too low, it becomes an effort to get in and out to the tune that I would prefer to stand the whole time.
 
I will be refitting out part of the house for a upgraded pool room, this thread has been great for some style inspiration and links to some very nice pool furniture.
 
I picked up the wood ones with the game room and pool patterns for cheap off Facebook. One set needs some padding redone but I have a total of 4 now.

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NewFloridian said:
We're new pool table owners (a beautiful 12-year-old Connelly!) so please forgive the newbie question... From what I can tell, the seat height for purpose-built pool spectator chairs is 25-33". A standard bar-height stool has a 30" seat height. Instead of paying $450-900 for a "spectator chair", why not get some bar stools for a lot less? The upside of the bar stools is that they usually swivel, which would make it easier to follow the action. The downside of the bar stools is that they don't include cupholders or a notch for a cue stick (but if it is truly just a notch in the wood, maybe that could be added to a non-swivel bar stool and is a simple notch in the wood secure enough for a valuable cue stick? Would you leave a Dennis Searing cue in a spectator chair notch?)

If the answer is "You have to have spectator chairs", what is the best seat height to select? And what are some good brands/sources? We live in South Florida (Jupiter).

Thanks in advance for any advice!
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The lowest $350 chairs complement the table ex wide, comfortable yes to the notch
 
Fatboy said:
Don’t get anything too soft, when you play long sessions soft chairs can wear you out. Like padded carpet. Comfortable but kinda firm is best.

Stickley brand are old school pool chairs from 100 years ago. There are lots of styles, other brands too. I have some Diamond chairs that are good. Brunswick are garbage(bad wood-Chinese trash)

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Stickley spectator chairs

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Gives you a general idea of good sweater and player chairs. The height isn’t much of a issue. A couple inches either way isn’t a big deal. Standing up from something too soft is a issue for playing. For spectators only then it don’t matter.
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Stickley is in my neighborhood. Beautiful products, priced accordingly.
 
Woodshaft said:
Depending on how long your spectators are going to be sitting, you need back and arm support. If not sitting long, 30" stools work. BTW, bar stools work for a bar because the customers at least have arm support-- the bartop.
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Exactly - sooo much more comfortable - especially when sitting for 30 min + watching some run 50 balls on you!! I had bar stools until I got two spectator chairs and spectator bench - there is no comparison in comfort, and all my buddies agree.
 

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Thanks, everyone, for being so helpful. The local billiards store, which is the only source that I know for used spectator chairs, didn't return my call. My "Request More Information" form at Blatt Billiards for https://blattbilliards.com/collections/chairs/products/the-billiards-spectator-chair did not yield an answer other than an auto-responder. So I ordered two of these at $395 each (price match to Overstock.com), including free shipping: https://www.pooltables.com/furniture/spencer-marston-deluxe-spectator-chair (the company picked up the phone quickly and shipped the next day)

Considering their Chinese origin, they look pretty good! The web site description is not accurate regarding the seat height. It is about 28" at the max and perhaps compresses down to 27" when a person of ample girth is seated. About 30 minutes to assemble each one. They come with Chinese Loctite, but I decided to use regular Loctite. The drawer is on ball bearing glides.
 
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NewFloridian said:
Thanks, everyone, for being so helpful. The local billiards store, which is the only source that I know for used spectator chairs, didn't return my call, so I ordered two of these at $395 each (price match to Overstock.com), including free shipping: https://www.pooltables.com/furniture/spencer-marston-deluxe-spectator-chair

Considering their Chinese origin, they look pretty good! The web site description is not accurate regarding the seat height. It is about 28" at the max and perhaps compresses down to 27" when a person of ample girth is seated. About 30 minutes to assemble each one. They come with Chinese Loctite, but I decided to use regular Loctite. The drawer is on ball bearing glides.
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wish you lots of enjoyment from your chair choice
i bought those also
mine are 7-8 years old (i think) maybe more
not used alot but you can see where the seat is wearing from the seams

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I don't know how everyone is posting photos. Every time I try the system says that my photo (standard iPhone) is too big!

I would think a local upholstery shop could put leather on that seat pretty easily. Or maybe Spencer Marston would be embarrassed and send you new ones! Our house came with a 19-year-old Baldwin entry handleset and I called them to try to order a new latch mechanism. They sent me a whole new one for free!
 
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