Billiards Lounge coming to The First Block
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-3028-billiards-image.jpg)
Soon, the First Block will have another urban entertainment/dining oriented destination added to the mix.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/659
Does anyone have any idea when this will be open? There have been some posts about it on The Hill blog, but not a whole lot of news lately. Part of the scoop on this story is that MHPA sent out a petition to stop this business from coming into Murray Hill. Their reasoning was that it would bring "the wrong kind of people" to Murray Hill. Being a billiard player myself, I was a little miffed by that statement. But whatever. I can't wait to be there opening night, whenever that is. Murray Hill needs more businesses like this that will cater to a more open minded crowd, like moonriver and Club Fusion (Martini's).
I love the idea of a billiards lounge...and I loved going to a great lounge like this in the Greenwich Village in NYC....but the thing I hate about the other billards places I have seen in Jax is that they are full of smoke....disgustingly smoky.....instant lung cancer type scenarios!! Will this one serve food to keep the smoking outside? In NYC/NJ there is no public smoking so there was no problem like this.
I dont know it could go either way. I like pool myself but I am too wary of the smoke filled "west side" vibe that a place like this might draw. I hope it has a little more diverse vibe then most pool halls.
I live in Avondale and I like the idea of a Pool Hall but I hope that they keep it "cool". I used to live in Atlanta and there was a place called the Pool Room in Buckhead. I think that it's still there but I used to drink longnecks and listen to Patsy Cline and I suck at pool.
I personally hope they allow smoking. I've been in pool halls from here to DC since I was 15 and there is nothing better than a few games of pool with your friends, a fat cigar in one hand and a cold beer or glass of wine in the other. They're a part of our American culture and should remain as "authentic" as possible. As for "that smoky vibe"....come on. Has no one ever seen Jackie Gleason and Paul Newman in "The Huslter"? A pool hall is supposed to be filled with smoke. That's what gives it it's sense of mystery and grandeur.
Buffalo Billards on Dupont Circle was my favorite bar in DC. If this place is anything like that, I will be very happy.
This sounds like a hit. I've been practicing almost night; however, I haven't joined a pool league yet.
I think the no smoking thing is great...but Jacksonville already has a non-smoking pool room on Normandy Blvd. It's where the old Publix used to be beside Kmart on Normandy and 295. So this no smoking thing isn't new. Sounds to me like someone is trying to copy what 9 Ball Billiards is doing.
archiphreak, You are seriously not advocating smoking in any public place are you? Smoking in a bar is like so not right on so many different levels I don't even know where to begin.
Quote from: gatorback on January 10, 2008, 03:55:28 AM
archiphreak, You are seriously not advocating smoking in any public place are you? Smoking in a bar is like so not right on so many different levels I don't even know where to begin.
I've come to realize that while I enjoy being able to go into a restaurant or bar, sit down, eat, have a drink, shoot some pool, etc. without people blowing smoke in my face, I HATE having to walk through 50 people standing at the front entrance blowing clouds of smoke in a 40' circumfrence. That whole "no smoking in the workplace" thing wasn't thought through very well. I could deal with the segregation of smokers and non-smokers via a wall or room within the same building more than I could deal with the practice of 1-2-3, hold-your-breath...RUN!
There should definitely be a place where smokers can hang out, shoot pool and have a great time there....with plenty of distance between them and the front door ;)
I just found out the place is opening Wed Feb 20th and it's not gonna be called Cues and Brews, it look like it said Perfect Rack on the door.
Its open now and they also have a couple of cops there on the weekend, to keep the patrons from breaking cues off inside of people. They serve beer and wine no hard booze, and feature a nice menu. Upstairs not open yet. Owners live in Orange Park.
anyone been here yet? good food? cheap pool?
Welcome the Pefect Rack--ain't nothing wrong with a grreat rack!
I guess coming from a state that has always allowed indoor smoking (Michigan), I think that smoking in pool halls/bars/bowling alleys, etc... isnt a problem.. I agree that it leads to the mystique.. I mean, what is a bar without really muted lighting, a couple of drunks nursing another beer at the bar, and smoke all around?
Quote from: James on March 09, 2008, 08:29:56 PM
anyone been here yet? good food? cheap pool?
I've been several times including last night. Food is good, pool isn't necessarily "cheap", but it's not outrageous either. Good beer selection (Kona, Dogfish Head, etc.) but kind of pricey on the higher-end beers. We were discussing that point last night and came to the consensus that it's acceptable to pay a bit more to keep a place like this open in the neighborhood.