Which Pool Room Must I See Before I Design Mine?

I'll be at Lacy's Cue this Saturday for the APA Tri-Cups. I plan on taking a walk-through video for some friends of mine. I'll post it here afterwards, so you can get a good idea.

To the guy ripping on Fargo's...

I'm a beer snob and even I don't complain if a pool hall doesn't have "microbrews."
I was at a bar a few weeks ago and the cute little bartender didn't know how to make a Mint Julep. I didn't go complain about the place on a forum. I simply asked her if I could have a different drink.
 
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ideal billiard center

DJSTEVEZ said:
Which Pool Room Must I See Before I Design Mine?

I'm going for an Upscale Billiard Club feel, but with accommodations for the Player's Crowd. Think the old Chelsea Billiards in NYC (now Slate) or something like that. I'm planning for circa 23 full size Pocket Billiard tables, 1 heated Billiard table and possibly a f/s Snooker table.

Thanx! -Z-
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Below is my personal "Fantasy Billiard Center", inspired by Robert Byrne's article, "My Dream Room" in the April 1993 issue of Billiards Digest.

SMOKE-FREE: Totally smoke-free or at least separate rooms for smokers and non-smokers.

VARIETY OF QUALITY TABLES: At least eight 9' tables, eight 7' tables, a billiard table, a snooker table and even a bumper pool table! Quality, clean, level and properly lit tables. And of course, ball sets that are cleaned regularly. Quality racks.

VARIETY OF LEAGUES: Offer patrons a choice of BCAPL, VNEA, ACS, APA or other league systems.

VARIETY OF TOURNAMENTS: Eight-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 14-1, rotation, 3-cushion, rotation, one-pocket, carom, etc. Singles, doubles, triples events, etc.

HEALTHY FOODS: At least some options to burgers, hot dogs and fries and potato chips. There are lots or folks who like salads or vegetarian foods.

COMFORTABLE SEATING: Cushioned seating for at least five people close to each table to accommodate team play. Of course, ample room for them.

STORAGE SPACE: Safe place to keep coats, cue cases, etc. For rent lockers.

BULLETINT BOARDS: Multiple, large, well-lit bulletin boards for league and tournament standings, schedules, news, sales and specials, etc.

WALL STUFF: Playing rules, photos of customers, tourney and league winners, artwork, World Champions, etc.

TROPHY AND CUE/CASE DISPLAY CASES: Locked and loaded.

RESIDENT INSTRUCTOR: Poster describing instructor's qualifications, lesson info, free table time for lessons at certain times of the day.

HOUSE PLAYERS: One or two people who just hang out to answer customer questions, watch for and prevent theft or abuse of equipment, or simply to play pool with folks who may come in alone. Give them some free practice time.

SEATING FOR SPECTATORS: Bleacher seating for big events, or a balcony from which to watch, or mirrors positioned so customers can watch from a distance.

SEMI-PRIVATE TABLES: For private lessons or special matches.

CARPETING: Should go without saying.

AN OCCASIONAL FREEBEE: Seems like common sense, but many proprietors are never seen by customers, let alone to socialize with them and receive an occasional drink, discount, free lesson, etc.

NO SALT-LICK CONES OR TALCUM POWDER DISPENSERS: Over-use of this stuff from the old days just makes a mess.

QUALITY EMPLOYEES: Pay employees a fair wage and hire people who are neatly dressed, friendly, and informed about leagues, tournaments, etc., and have sales skills.

BEADS: A great holdover from the old days -hanging beads or some other method of keeping score if there are no such devices built into the tables. A small blackboard is a last resort.

CHALLENGE TABLE: One table kept open when it's busy to give customers something to do while waiting for a table when it's busy. Could be a bumper table.

DAYTIME HOURS: An opportunity for second shift workers to play and even play in an afternoon league or tournament.

LARGE TV SCREEN: For sports events, videos, or with an app for tournament brackets, etc.

PROPER ROOM LIGHTING: No excessive room lighting that creates glare and shades or curtains for windows that allow sun glare at certain times.

MUSIC: Music, but not so loud that you have to shout to carry on a conversation or take a pool lesson.

CLEAN AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS.

Hope this helps a bit.
 
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as the old saying goes: can't eat leaves and shit money.

Donny Lutz said:
Below is my personal "Fantasy Billiard Center", inspired by Robert Byrne's article, "My Dream Room" in the April 1993 issue of Billiards Digest.

SMOKE-FREE: Totally smoke-free or at least separate rooms for smokers and non-smokers.

VARIETY OF QUALITY TABLES: At least eight 9' tables, eight 7' tables, a billiard table, a snooker table and even a bumper pool table! Quality, clean, level and properly lit tables. And of course, ball sets that are cleaned regularly. Quality racks.

VARIETY OF LEAGUES: Offer patrons a choice of BCAPL, VNEA, ACS, APA or other league systems.

VARIETY OF TOURNAMENTS: Eight-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball, 14-1, rotation, 3-cushion, rotation, one-pocket, carom, etc. Singles, doubles, triples events, etc.

HEALTHY FOODS: At least some options to burgers, hot dogs and fries and potato chips. There are millions of Americans who like to eat vegetarian foods.

COMFORTABLE SEATING: Cushioned seating for at least five people close to each table to accommodate team play. Of course, ample room for them.

STORAGE SPACE: Safe place to keep coats, cue cases, etc. For rent lockers.

BULLETINT BOARDS: Multiple, large, well-lit bulletin boards for league and tournament standings, schedules, news, sales and specials, etc.

WALL STUFF: Playing rules, photos of customers, tourney and league winners, artwork, World Champions, etc.

TROPHY AND CUE/CASE DISPLAY CASES: Locked and loaded.

RESIDENT INSTRUCTOR: Poster describing instructor's qualifications, lesson info, free table time for lessons at certain times of the day.

HOUSE PLAYERS: One or two people who just hang out to answer customer questions, watch for and prevent theft or abuse of equipment, or simply to play pool with folks who may come in alone. Give them some free practice time.

SEATING FOR SPECTATORS: Bleacher seating for big events, or a balcony from which to watch, or mirrors positioned so customers can watch from a distance.

SEMI-PRIVATE TABLES: For private lessons or special matches.

CARPETING: Should go without saying.

AN OCCASIONAL FREEBEE: Seems like common sense, but many proprietors are never seen by customers, let alone to socialize with them and receive an occasional drink, discount, free lesson, etc.

NO SALT-LICK CONES OR TALCUM POWDER DISPENSERS: Over-use of this stuff from the old days just makes a mess.

QUALITY EMPLOYEES: Pay employees a fair wage and hire people who are neatly dressed, friendly, and informed about leagues, tournaments, etc., and have sales skills.

BEADS: A great holdover from the old days -hanging beads or some other method of keeping score if there are no such devices built into the tables. A small blackboard is a last resort.

CHALLENGE TABLE: One table kept open when it's busy to give customers something to do while waiting for a table when it's busy. Could be a bumper table.

DAYTIME HOURS: An opportunity for second shift workers to play and even play in an afternoon league or tournament.

LARGE TV SCREEN: For sports events, videos, or with an app for tournament brackets, etc.

PROPER ROOM LIGHTING: No excessive room lighting that creates glare and shades or curtains for windows that allow sun glare at certain times.

MUSIC: Music, but not so loud that you have to shout to carry on a conversation or take a pool lesson.

CLEAN AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS.

Hope this helps a bit.
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Hardtimes? why has this not been brought up. They have their sh*t down. Always packed, good food, friendly to banger and serious players.

Also Crown in San Ramon is nice, The Jointed Cue in Sacramento isn't really high class, but it's nostalgic. Family in SF is a clean place with great equipment.

Are you going for a Lounge-type feel with fancy cocktails, or a real pool haven for players?

-A separate tournament room is a great idea with some stands for spectators. Something where the nicer tables with tighter pockets can be looked after.
-Memberships are a great idea. You can either do a flat rate to cover table time, or members can have a discounted rate. This will get more regulars willing to buy food and drinks (where your profit margins are higher)


I also noticed Donnie Lutz had some good suggestions
 
Big Truck's Video walk through of Fargo Billiards

Here is a great video done by Big Truck as a walk through of Fargo Billiards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQkWSxc3v7Q

It will make your mouth water.

Everyone I talk to, which is a lot during tournaments say one common thing, "I wished I lived closer"

By the way, it is always nice when people give reviews, good or bad, to put your name on it.

Robert Martin
Fargo, ND
 
The8reader said:
Fargo billiards looks nice... Except for tables that are rarley cleaned. Service is sub par unless u have a membership. Music will put u to sleep then make u go wtf is Katy parry doing on now.. drink prices are way to high. Along with poor service at the bar.. bar is rarley stocked with the posted items. Bartenders are not knowledgeable about the import or microbrew beers they offer. Lots of pool tables is about it.

The new moorhead billiards is well woth the drive. This is smaller hall but does feel like a pool hall for real pool players. Both places are nice and both could use some work with menu and staff training. Moorhead billiards cleans the tables several times a day. They also have three dimond 9 footers and 13 dimond 7 footers I beleave. With a 10foot snooker table. Two very nice party rooms. It is very new and will only get better.

Both are a must see. Both have great events. Cant wait for the first big tourny in moorhead

I will post pics of both places. The website for fargo gastro is not how is looks anymore.
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First, please learn to spell, and people may take your serious. Perceptions are amazing, like what color the dress is that exploded on the internet.

I love to play pool, but that isn't the best thing about Fargo Billiards. The very first time my wife, who doesn't play pool, and I visited it was amazing. My wife was reluctant, as she had been in other smokey, dingy pool halls before. We sat at the bar and orderd some drinks. She cased the establishment, and I knew if she didn't like it, well I wasn't going to get to play a game I had missed for over 20 years.

She loved the music, the look, and the service that night. I didn't even have a pool cue with me. We decided to return in a week.

That following Saturday we walked in, sat at the bar, and the same bartender came over, and said, " Mr. and Mrs. Martin would you like to have wine again or something else?" We were sold.

Now it is my wife's place of choice. We have met many new people, all I call friends. We enjoy parties (the party rooms are amazing), weekly trivia, and just hanging out. I am leaving Fargo soon for a different job, it saddens me as Fargo Billiards has become a second home and family. I can't say that about any other place I have been.
 
Hanks in Wheatridge Colorado is the perfect room on what not to do.
It's an old run down dump but I like it.:thumbup:
 
Romines in the Milwaukee area is very unique....I think it's 30,000 sq. ft. I'd also look at the Canadian rooms, and if you doing a build out bar area, I have some great suggestions on that part of the club which is the true money maker. I have worked tending bar all over the US during my earlier years. Henry Africas in San Franciso, Rusty Pelican Alameda Bay, Wisconsin and New Orleans clubs, and Colorado. One of the three rooms I designed is still up an running in Denver. PM me if you like.
 
Suggestions

Do not underestimate leagues!!!

Dart leagues are a must
Pool leagues are a must
Chess leagues are a must
Backgammon leagues are a must
Poker leagues are a must

Each one gets it own night to shine. Design areas or sections to accommodate leagues comfortably!!!

Also, set up a game area for board games like monoply/scrabble/yatzee/trival pursuit/etc.

Lights over tables to signal wait staff from far away!
Wash basins to clean hands and allow for eating beside the pool table!

These items above were found at the best rooms, I have encountered. Sadly, many of these above are absent or missing in most rooms today. Also, never underestimate lighting and good BRIGHT bulbs which are often the most neglected area of most rooms and cheapest to upgrade.

KD
 
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CanonShooter said:
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Cool place, but look at all the shadows on the tables! These pictures make an important point: especially if you're going upscale don't forget to have good lighting for the tables. Modern light fixtures may look cool, but they're terrible lights for pool tables.
 
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Fargo/Moorhead pool

Just a quick note in Fargi area pool. We are very lucky. I forgot to mention a new pool hall that opened here, I don't have a video, but also is an awesome place, Moorhead Billiards. Great equipment with both Diamond and Valley Bar Boxes. The nicest Valleys I have ever played on. Also Snooker and some Diamond 9 footers.

Huge bar, food and a the service is great.

I play in both places I enjoy them both. Make the trip it will be worth it
 
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