Tourneys
Topic: best pool halls

........why don't we have pool halls like this in the UK?

http://www.parlorbilliards.com/photo.html

where is the best place you guys have played?

Without doubt its Académie de Billard, 84 rue de Clichy Montmartre.

If you’re ever passing through Paris it’s well worth a visit.

Three cushion tables, American pool, English pool and snooker,
a true Mecca for cue sport players. You need your passport to get past the old French chap that mans the door.

http://www.academie-billard.com/htgb/frameset.htm

A few years back French photographer Benoit Rajau worked on a commission for one of the Sunday papers to capture the unique character of the club.

http://www.benoit-rajau.com/billard1.html

Stunning club.

Recent Time Out review...

A large part of the Académie de Billard’s charm is its unlikely location. Set amid the neon and bustle of Clichy, stepping into this snooker hall is like crossing into a late-nineteenth-century gentleman’s salon. Spread over two high-ceilinged rooms, it’s sumptuously spacious and kitted out with period features. By day, an enormous stained-glass ceiling bathes the tables in a lagoon of light, while at night, vintage lamps radiate a warm yellow glow. Staff in waistcoats and bow-ties dart elegantly between tables to deliver your drinks, but despite the grandeur, a relaxed atmosphere prevails. The crowd range from young Montmartre pool sharks to older regulars with their own mahogany lockers. There are plenty of options ,with full-size snooker and a good number of British and American pool tables, but the pièce de résistance has to be the five beautifully maintained French billiard tables – yes, they have no pockets, but that’s the real challenge. Waiting times are usually short and the prices are reasonable (though you’ll need photo ID). The Elbow Rooms will never seem the same again.
Académie de Billard, 84 rue de Clichy, 18th (00 33 1 48 78 32 85) Métro place de Clichy. Open 11am-6am. Price from €5-€11 per hour.

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In stark contrast if you’re ever passing through London this joints worth a visit if only to see the bottom end of the pool club spectrum.

Centrepoint pool and snooker ‘lounge’.

If you can find the entrance doorway in the underpass exiting Tottenham Court Rd tube station (beneath the Centrepoint tower) you will find a true subterranean hellhole. American pool, English pool and snooker tables that are covered in baize that has usually been slashed by bored local scrotes with their latest fashion knife accessory. There’s currently no alcohol available to dull the pain of the surroundings (it finally dawned on the local constabulary that they had been trading for a decade minus a drinks licence). Miserable staff. A broken projector so you can miss the big match live. An amazing array of mismatched broken chairs, wobbly tables and dodgy coat stands that would make your local second hand furniture shop look like the flagship store for Habitat. On leaving the club be sure to step over the junkies that are invariably outside busy digging needles into their arms.

So if you’re ever passing through London on the Northern or Central lines get off at Tottenham Court Road and pop down for a game.

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In stark contrast if you’re ever passing through London this joints worth a visit if only to see the bottom end of the pool club spectrum.

Centrepoint pool and snooker ‘lounge’.

If you can find the entrance doorway in the underpass exiting Tottenham Court Rd tube station (beneath the Centrepoint tower) you will find a true subterranean hellhole. American pool, English pool and snooker tables that are covered in baize that has usually been slashed by bored local scrotes with their latest fashion knife accessory. There’s currently no alcohol available to dull the pain of the surroundings (it finally dawned on the local constabulary that they had been trading for a decade minus a drinks licence). Miserable staff. A broken projector so you can miss the big match live. An amazing array of mismatched broken chairs, wobbly tables and dodgy coat stands that would make your local second hand furniture shop look like the flagship store for Habitat. On leaving the club be sure to step over the junkies that are invariably outside busy digging needles into their arms.

So if you’re ever passing through London on the Northern or Central lines get off at Tottenham Court Road and pop down for a game.

I know that place, so true

I have to agree with the Clichy Montmartre as being the most beautiful club I have ever been in. Brunswick Gold Crowns and a a vast array of heated slate billiard tables. Its the high ceilings and art deco layout that really strikes you as you enter.

Drinking is most definately frowned upon though as myself, Andy Richardson and Steve Knight were ejected from the place the day before the Paris Open a few years ago. Just wanted to sit quietly and have a few drinks, watch some 80 year olds play amazing billiards...but alas...we were asked to leave. We weren't even sure we were allowed in to play the next day! Luckily we were, started supping again at the fully licensed bar, only the 3 brits drinking alcohol and again, we got plenty of funny looks and they refused to serve us half way through the tourney!

Rider came first and Rocket came second so that was nice

Still, its the nicest club I have been in, save for the bar staff, lol.

I've been to both - "Heaven and the devils playground" !

Just to let you guys know - I'll be off to the parlor Billards in Seattle next week!! Can't wait. Was checking out all the poolrooms on the internet. Also popping by Hawaii as you do. I'll try get some pool hall photos.

Ooooh photos... Yes please!