I used to play pool a fair bit, and knew all kinds fo places to go... But many of them have closed it seems, and other places changed...


So, where do folks go to shoot pool these days?

What places are nice, or cheap or hellholes?


Anyone?

The Rack on Platt is pretty popular. I think they serve Sushi which could be good or bad depending on your view.

A new bar opened near UT which has some nice tables. More of a bar than a pool hall. Beer prices weren't bad. S. of Kennedy on Hyde Park I believe.

For nice try The Rack (http://www.hittherack.com/) in Hyde Park. It's across from Hyde Park Cafe and besides pool has very respectable food (even sushi which from what I hear is quite tasty, though not my thing).

Update: looks like I was beaten to the punch. That new bar that cwat212 was thinking of is called The Retreat. It has been there (under various owners and names, though it's back to the original name now) since 1938. A bit too much of a college bar feel for myself. One of the new owners is the guy behind Green Iguana, so at least there is some money behind it.

wow, we were definitely on the same wave length! :)

Baker's On The Ball For 65 Years

By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2007

Video: http://tbo.com/video/xml/MGB7F8BNU2F.html

TAMPA - Robbie Morito was an 18-year-old rack boy at Baker's Billiards when owner and founder Angus Baker kiddingly asked him to buy the business.

Thirty years later, in 1997, Morito finally did buy Florida's oldest pool hall.

The 65-year-old establishment, he's quick to emphasize, is 'not a kid's game room. Every great player who's played the game has been in here.'

Baker's, at Tampa Street and Seventh Avenue opposite Stetson University College of Law, has just been renovated.

'This was a hobby,' Morito said, 'but now I've put so much money into it, it's a job.'

With new air conditioning and a reconfiguration around the bar, Baker's and its 17 tables stand ready for regulars and newcomers.

Tony Lato was one of the regulars until he became manager two years ago. He remembers the law enforcement officers who used to come to Baker's, 1811 N. Tampa St., when the police station was across the street. Now he sees more of a lawyer crowd and is looking forward to the opening of the Bush Ross law firm and the offices of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and its foundation, both under construction nearby and expected to be completed in January.

Construction company owner Jerry Cagnolatti has a ready answer when asked how often he's at Baker's: 'How often do they open up?'

He likes how pool halls have changed.

'Pool has become a family orientated pastime,' Cagnolatti said. 'There's no smoking allowed here and no cuss words. It's totally different than maybe the popular conception.'

Newcomer Joshua Bennett, who plays in amateur tournaments, said he didn't know Baker's existed until he was on the next street buying supplies at Robertson Billiard Supplies, 1721 N. Franklin St.

'This is perfect,' said Bennett, of Riverview. 'Everything I need is right here.'

A recent visitor to Baker's personifies the caliber of player drawn to the old-time pool hall.

Buddy Hall, who lives in Illinois but hopes to relocate to Florida, has won 300 tournaments, including 67 major and eight world. In 2000, he was the 39{+t}{+h} inductee into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.

Stepping back so Hall, nicknamed 'The Rifleman,' could set up his cue ball, Cagnolatti mused, 'Buddy is the best I've ever seen.'

Hall, 62, said he has been a regular at Baker's for as long as he can remember - he turned pro at 17. He enjoys its professional equipment and endearing history.

'I can come in here and see people I've known for 40 years,' he said. 'Or I can meet new ones.'

When Hall proceeded to sink shot after shot, Morito muttered, 'That's why I stopped playing.'

Baker's dates to the early 1940s, when Angus Baker, a barber, built the pool hall on what was a cow pasture.

When Baker worked as a barber at another shop, he set up a pool table in back so customers could play before getting a haircut. When he saw how much people liked the game, he built his pool hall at the end of a streetcar line so those waiting to go into the city could pass the time.

Through the years, Baker's hosted big-money championships, such as the 1967 eight-ball world championship between Luther Lassiter and Joe Balsis. Now the action centers on league team championships ranging from youths to seniors.

IF YOU GO

This summer, to celebrate Baker's 65 years, owner Robbie Morito will offer free pool from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at the pool hall, 1811 N. Tampa St. For information, call Baker's at (813) 226-6541.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Bakers, for video and audio from Baker's Billiards.

http://southtampa2.tbo.com/content/2007/jun/13/st-bakers-on-the-ball-for-65-years/?news

Check 'em out! On a personal note, Robbie's a good friend and a helluva lot of fun to be around. He also owns Club Chambers (across the street at 1701 N. Franklin) where his brother Anthony runs the place. :)

Man, I live a couple blocks from Baker's and have never been.

The fiancee and I like the Blue Shark in Ybor. Only two tables; it's really a blues club, but if you get there at 8 instead of 10:30 you'll be able to take a table and play for as long as you want. I recommend the table closer to the dance floor.

lol... The Rack is the one decent place I already knew of (well, that and the few tables to be found in a couple of the Shops at Channelside exstablishments)... But all of their table prices are utterly ridiculous. I could buy a table for what they charge for a night of pool and drinks.

I'll have to check out the Retreat and especially Baker's for sure... I've been to Baker's a couple times back in the day when I was capable of running a table once in a blue moon, and could almost keep up with the sharks who usually play there. That's great to hear the place has been spiffed up.


Any others around town?

Funny, I just bought a table that's coming next weekend ... I might have to do a pool "do" at my new place sometime (but I need to practice more first)