About Pool Halls

Pool halls are an entertaining way to spend a few hours in the evening or on weekends. Many pool halls have leagues or tournaments to draw in a crowd of regulars. Yet there is still plenty of space for the casual player. Many pool halls are well lit, have music playing and might even have other games such as arcade games and air hockey tables.

History

Pool halls have had quite a transformation over the years. No longer are pool halls the dark, dirty rooms that were portrayed in the 1980s and before. Pool halls have become entertainment destinations with various forms of entertainment, numerous sizes of pool tables, and are often well lit. No longer are pool halls viewed as local hangouts for groups such as underground crime and degenerates. Some pool halls have become family destinations.

Types

Pool halls have become very diverse. There are still the pool halls with coin-operated tables and pool sticks that look like they are one step from being kindling. There are also modern pool halls with colored felts on top of the table, attendants to chalk your pool cue for you, televisions to entertain you while you aren't playing, and bars inside the pool hall. Some pool halls are connected with bars, and others are stand-alone entertainment destinations.

Features

Pool halls offer a variety of activities for pool players. Most pool halls now will offer at least a limited level of food service. Some upscale pool halls have large menus where pool players can order full meals. Depending on local statutes, pool halls may also have full bar service inside. For those wishing to play pool who do not own a pool cue and want to use the best equipment, some pool halls will offer to rent players pool sticks for a nominal charge. There are also usually pool cues that can be used for free in the pool hall, but these tend to be lower-quality cues.

Benefits

Pool halls can be a social gathering place for high school students and college students who are home and too young to get into bars. The newer pool halls have helped keep these students off the streets on weekends and have given them an activity to enjoy with friends. Pool halls are typically open later at night, after many other entertainment options are closed.

Warning

Despite the upscale versions of pool halls, there are still some pool halls that attract violence and drugs. If you are in an area that is unfamiliar to you, watch the crowd going in and out of the pool hall before you enter. Check the surroundings as well. Pool halls in industrial areas are much more likely to draw a rougher crowd than pool halls located near restaurants and shopping venues.