Check out this interesting blog found at Delta-13 titled A Look Inside: The Oldest & Newest Pool Halls in America.
We went in search to find the oldest pool halls in America that are still in business today! Don’t be fooled, as some of the pool halls just recently had updates done, so not all of them look as old as they really are! We also decided to incorporate some of the new pool halls that just opened in the last couple years, showing you that pool is still alive and going strong.
To start, read a little pool hall history and learn about when certain pool equipment was invented. Check out our history blog HERE!
Let’s start with the oldest and work our way to pool halls that are opening today!
Orton’s Pool Room
*Oldest Pool Hall in America
Established in the early 1900’s (1888), Orton Pool Room home in Wilmington, North Carolina holds a lot of history. Originally built as the Orton Hotel in the 1800’s, years later in 1949, the building burned and only the basement with the laundry, pool hall and barber shop survived!
Who Famous Played Here? Willie Mosconi stopped in 1953, while on tour.
Mosconi, known as “Mr. Pocket Billiards”, won the World Straight Pool Championship a record 15 times from 1941-1957. He was also among the first group to be inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
Smith’s Billiards
*Second Oldest Pool Hall in America
Originally established as a billiard academy, this pool hall is located in the historic town of Springfield, Massachusetts. Fred Smith began the academy in 1902. Said to be 114 years old.
Who Famous Played Here? Lots! One was Leo Durocher, Major League Baseball American professional baseball player, manager and coach.
People’s Billiards Club aka People’s On Beale
Founded in 1904 in Memphis, Tennessee. This pool hall is a home of the “hundred-year-old Brunswicks”. They have 8 pool tables, a jukebox, and a stage.
Want to Know a Fun Fact about People’s on Beale? Beale Street is the #1 Tourist Attraction in the state of Tennessee!
Booches Billiard Hall
Located in Columbia, Missouri (founded in 1884, but burned down and rebuilt in 1920’s), Booches has three full-sized pool tables, two snooker tables, and one billiard table for three cushion billiards play.
Want to know something yummy about Booches? Booches cheeseburgers (served on wax paper) were named one of the Top Ten burgers in America by USA Today in 2000.
Blue Post Billiards
Blue Post Billiards located in Wilmington, North Carolina. This building used to be a brothel where sailors and pirates would go after long voyages. Although there is no date on its opening, we believe it to be at least a 100 years old and is why we have added it to our list! Fun Fact: A scene in the movie, “Tammy” was filmed in this local bar.
Don’t be too scared if you decide to visit this pool hall… Blue Post is said to be haunted!