Billiard bliss
Top places to shoot some stick
March 31, 2008Tarantula's Billiards
1456 Champa St., DenverTarantula's looks a little iffy from the outside, but looks are deceiving in this case. The crowd is really diverse, rather than full of druggies, which may be what you're expecting, and it's pretty clean. The prices are cheap for beer and pool - a hard-to-find quality when downtown. It never gets too rowdy either. It's a great Saturday afternoon drinking place with big windows and friendly bartenders. Plus, you can get food here until 1:30 in the morning to satisfy your late night munchies.
The Foundry Billiards Club
1109 Walnut St., BoulderAhhh, The Foundry. Where to start? Well, for one, this place is a single’s haven—a meat market, a “come over here baby and play with my pool stick” sort of place. It is popular by many college-goers, middle-aged pool hussies and all the great wonders of Boulderites. You can order food such as some artery-clogging nachos and other ‘bar foods’ to tie you over for the night. The food is definitely needed because once the sun goes down this place turns into a part-ay. You can strut your stuff at the pool tables in the lower level or head up to the rooftop with the best view in town. This place gets two thumbs up fo shizzy our nizzy’s. You have to support a place that buys a flat-screen TV in honor of the Rockies during the World Series, right?!
Rack'em Billiards and Sports Bar
1919 S. Havana St., AuroraComplete with 14 'Diamond Professional' pool tables, eight 'Valley' bar tables and a giant 6x12 'Snooker' table (if you know what we're talking about...thank goodness), both professionals and amateurs alike are sure to find what they've been looking for. An upscale bar, good food and a relaxed atmosphere make this pool hall a little different to all the rest. Appealing largely to the more mature adult (whatever your definition of 'mature' is), this is the place for those who wish to simply shoot some pool and partake in some friendly conversation in a pleasant environment!
Paradise Billiards
5250 W. 38th Ave., Wheat RidgeIt’s dark and shadowy and the food offered is there just to keep you lingering around one of the 14 tables where endless racks of 9 ball play on from 10 in the morning till 2 the next morning every day. They keep it dark on purpose, that way every table stands alone in a pool of light like something out of a noir film--all that’s missing is the cigar smoke. Roll up your sleeves, cache your gear in a locker and rack ‘em up. Check in for a variety of leagues and tournaments, the schedule varies with the seasons.
Zoosters Pub-n-Pool
300 Nickel St., BroomfieldFor the love of the game, the pool game, that is, Zoosters is the perfect place to play with friends or get schooled by the pros who frequent the joint quite often. Zoosters has a list of tournaments and the best of the best have stopped by to shoot some ball, including one world champ. Those just looking for a drink, stop by after work for decent out-of-downtown Denver specials. Don’t forget to show off your best, worst or drunken singing voices at their monthly karaoke.
Night Shotz
3329 Garfield Ave., LovelandOne of Loveland’s better pool halls. Nothing fancy. A few pool tables, pretty decent bar, professional staff. The rates for their tables are cheaper than at some other places, and the tables are well maintained. They offer free pool on Sunday nights, and during the afternoon it is a nice, relaxing place to spend a couple of hours shooting a few quiet games and enjoying a cold beer, or five. Some fine bar snacks, too.
A Bit of Billiards
700 Ken Pratt Blvd., #105, LongmontA bit of FREE pool, a bit a FREE poker, a whole lotta good times. Owner George Blackham put his culinary skills at the core of revamping this local Longmont Billiards hall. George is often hanging around, but he's got a trusty staff to keep the good times rolling. If you get the chance to run into George, ask him about the pork tenderloin; the kitchen's specialty that transcends the bun and your expectations of what sports grill grub can be. You can also go off on the all-you-can-eat fish n' chips every Friday, and live bands every first and third Friday of the month. Every night of the week is loaded with events so check their Web site for league pool and poker tournaments, and karaoke specials.
Tavern on 26th Ave.
10040 W. 26th Ave., DenverOut in Lakewood you'll find Tavern on 26th Ave., an unassuming neighborhood joint with pool tables, karaoke and occasional Guitar Hero competitions. Though it might not look it from the outside, inside you'll find a diverse and lively crowd of locals enjoying reasonable drink prices and good times among friends. A down to earth bar where everyone knows everyone, but are still extremely welcoming to strangers.
