The food and specialty drinks are delicious, and change regularly to stay seasonal: the paninis are big and thick and go well with cocktails like the Woodsman Martini (Michter’s bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, peach bitters). The rates for the pool tables vary depending on the time and day, but they’re always reasonable, with a Monday-through-Friday draft happy hour. But even though Society Billiards has a serious pedigree (there’s a pro shop and an in-house pro), there’s zero pretension - the staff is incredibly friendly, there are leagues starting up for every level of player, and there are even regulation “bar pool” tables in the back if you’re going for a smaller game. The bar is bright, big, friendly, and the Diamond tables are the same that the pros use. It’s an industry that’s finding itself behind the 8-ball.The owners of Society Billiards have built a pool hall (with ping-pong tables and a dartboard) for everyone - from the most grizzled hustlers to the greenest rubes. “I’m afraid that after COVID, it’s going to fade away even worse.” “This is an industry that’s kind of fading away,” says Thomas. Hall of Fame Billiards in Bay Ridge closed before the pandemic. Only two dozen or so or left in New York. Pool halls have already been under stress in the city, in part because of high rents. In response, the state says with hot spots popping up across the country, they are continuing to monitor how and when higher-risk activities like billiards can safely reopen. That creates a lot of distance”, says Thomas. “A pool table is 9’ x 4’, and they’re spaced five feet apart. Thomas at Status Q points out the restrictions on pool halls are especially baffling because pool is a distance sport. Playing pool is a very calm sport,” says Buckley. There’s no strenuous activity of any kind. In a pool hall, walking around the table is your only exercise. “In a gym, there’s a lot more exercising, a lot more heavy breathing. He says there’s also no guidance for when pool halls can reopen. I’m lucky if I’m still paying all my expenses and the salaries of the people.”īuckley says he’s frustrated the state gave the green light to indoor businesses like bowling alleys but not pool halls. “When I come back at 50%, I’m not making money. He figures it will take years to cover the cost once he’s allowed to reopen. Paying the rent is a real challenge right now,” says Thomas.Īt Gotham City Billiard in Gravesend, owner Kevin Buckley invested $8,000 on a new air filtration system and other safety measures. We can pay the electric, we can pay insurance. “With our little outdoor dining setup, we could pay a bill or two. Thomas says his only lifeline came with outdoor dining was permitted and he started serving drinks and bar food outside. The problem is pool halls have been excluded from the states re-opening plans. The 3,000 square-foot hall can accommodate 58 people, but without customers, owner Brian Thomas says he hasn’t been able to pay the rent. We don’t know if we’re going to get to the end of September.“ And a lot of us are not going to make it, us in particular. “The billiard industry is very small in New York City. “We need to open,” says Status Q owner Brian Thomas. It’s been a Bay Ridge fixture for three decades, but like other businesses, it’s closed because of the coronavirus. It’s been months since anyone shot pool at Status Q Billiards.
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