Where to play in Lansing MI?

[hang-the-9]

Next work trip taking me to Lansing, but I don't see much around there. When I was near Detroit had a few nice places but around Lansing it seems bars, or an hour drive for some proper tables. Livonia MI had 2 places I liked, but it's an hour drive to there.

 

[MattPoland]

Here’s a FB Group I manage for “Lansing Pool Players”.

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There’s a new venue, Gravity Smokehouse and BBQ, opening up soon with three Diamond tables but they’re waiting on some contractors before they can pass final inspection.

I was running Thursday 9-ball tournaments out of the VFW 6132 during summer. One more will be held on 9/30 then leagues take over the venue.

Royal Scot has been holding regular Wednesday tournaments. I know some players met up there this weekend for some action.

Nothing is likely happening this week with Michigan BCAPL State Tournament happening in Battle Creek. That has a pro event paired with it, so that might be worth the drive.

Otherwise you could drive up to The Avenue in Owosso. They run tournaments often and have a bunch of Diamond tables.

 

[hang-the-9]

Here’s a FB Group I manage for “Lansing Pool Players”.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

There’s a new venue, Gravity Smokehouse and BBQ, opening up soon with three Diamond tables but they’re waiting on some contractors before they can pass final inspection.

I was running Thursday 9-ball tournaments out of the VFW 6132 during summer. One more will be held on 9/30 then leagues take over the venue.

Royal Scot has been holding regular Wednesday tournaments. I know some players met up there this weekend for some action.

Nothing is likely happening this week with Michigan BCAPL State Tournament happening in Battle Creek. That has a pro event paired with it, so that might be worth the drive.

Otherwise you could drive up to The Avenue in Owosso. They run tournaments often and have a bunch of Diamond tables.

Nice, thanks! I am going to be there right after 9/30 or I would try to get in on that tournament
I'll take a look at The Avenue.

Was not just looking for tournaments but also a nice place to play in, seems Lansing area does not have as nice of a room list as Detroit.

 

[MattPoland]

Nice, thanks! I am going to be there right after 9/30 or I would try to get in on that tournament
I'll take a look at The Avenue.

Was not just looking for tournaments but also a nice place to play in, seems Lansing area does not have as nice of a room list as Detroit.

Sadly it doesn’t. No pool halls. Hour drive for a 9’ table. Good bar leagues on multiple nights a week that span the city. Lots of people with tables at home. But nowhere you can find a good game beyond beating up on non-serious bar players.

The pandemic even made some bars with tables not reopen or decide to get rid of their pool tables for more daytime dining space.

 

[middleofnowhere]

Sadly it doesn’t. No pool halls. Hour drive for a 9’ table. Good bar leagues on multiple nights a week that span the city. Lots of people with tables at home. But nowhere you can find a good game beyond beating up on non-serious bar players.

The pandemic even made some bars with tables not reopen or decide to get rid of their pool tables for more daytime dining space.

If I remember right years ago it had a great pool room. Velvet rail or something like that. I think Jim Mataya played there.

 

[MattPoland]

If I remember right years ago it had a great pool room. Velvet rail or something like that. I think Jim Mataya played there.

Absolutely. Well before my time. Pockets was the last pool hall in town until a few years back.

 

[middleofnowhere]

Absolutely. Well before my time. Pockets was the last pool hall in town until a few years back.
View attachment 610620

Wow an artical from 1979. That's him alright, Joe Farhat.

 

[hang-the-9]

If I remember right years ago it had a great pool room. Velvet rail or something like that. I think Jim Mataya played there.

Well since it closed in 79, I was not even living in the US then, I juuuussst missed it LOL

I guess I just assumed that any decent size town or city would have a nice pool hall nearby, especially since Detroit area has several.

Where I am there are 6 pool halls within 45 minute drive with 9 footers (Green Room, Snookers, Shooters, The Billiards Cafe (which also has a 12" snooker table) Break-Away, RI Billiards), another 3 around 45-60 mins away (Amazin Billiards, Maximillians, Boston Billiards Club, Bo's Billiards), 4 if you count a place with 8 foot Diamonds (Crows Nest). Also a few places with 7 foot Diamonds (Run Em Racks and Bailys)

Now that I list them all, there are a shit load of places to play by me LOL

 

[middleofnowhere]

Well since it closed in 79, I was not even living in the US then, I juuuussst missed it LOL

I guess I just assumed that any decent size town or city would have a nice pool hall nearby, especially since Detroit area has several.

Where I am there are 6 pool halls within 45 minute drive with 9 footers (Green Room, Snookers, Shooters, The Billiards Cafe (which also has a 12" snooker table) Break-Away, RI Billiards), another 3 around 45-60 mins away (Amazin Billiards, Maximillians, Boston Billiards Club, Bo's Billiards), 4 if you count a place with 8 foot Diamonds (Crows Nest). Also a few places with 7 foot Diamonds (Run Em Racks and Bailys)

Now that I list them all, there are a shit load of places to play by me LOL

I don't think it closed in 1979 the article says that's when it was sold and the original owner retired. If you go back to that those years a little earlier though every town had pool rooms.

Mostly little small family run places 8, 10, 12, tables usually no alcohol. You could actually get by with a small pool room back then. The first room I had I was only 22 years old. It had 12 Gold Crown tables and my total monthly nut was about $600 rent electric and everything. Even at 60 cents an hour per cue I made money.

Then you had the bowling alleys that all had pool rooms with like 30 tables, 40 tables. It was really in a little bit of a hay day back then for pool.