AFTER DARK
Where to rack 'em up and get your game on
Posted on Fri, May. 30, 2008
BY GABE BERMAN
In college, most of my friends didn't roll out of bed until noon. I, on the other hand, preferred to get a jump on the day and only allowed myself to sleep until 11:30 in the morning.
Shuffling down the steps of my fraternity house, I would invariably see other early risers playing pool. Later in the day, I'd come back from class and guys would be lining up their shots as onlookers waited impatiently to play the winner. In the evening, the eight-ball bunch was still crowded around our beer-stained, felt-covered pool table.
I grew to dislike the game because my command of a cue ball is on par with that of an uncoordinated fifth grader. However, if you're a billiards buff, visit the following nightspots:
• Hot Shots Night Club Sports Bar Billiards & Grill, 3868 N. University Dr., Sunrise -- Besides its lengthy name, this 12,000-square-foot pool joint features 80 beers. Hot Shots subscribes to all sports packages so if there's a game televised, you'll be able to catch it on one of its 75 TVs.
• Toby's Billiards, 2004 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood -- Minnesota Fats wouldn't feel right playing in a smoke-free environment. If you're old school as well, puff until your heart's/lungs' content at Toby's.
• Gatsby's, 1805 S. University Dr., Davie -- Two cushy, private rooms equipped with TVs and pool tables are available to rent for private parties. The adjacent Fitzgerald Room is an intimate setting equipped with a smaller bar open to all patrons. If you're single and prefer to mingle with a larger group, belly up to the main bar near the rows of pool tables.
• Dave & Buster's, 3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood -- In case you rely on precision focus to sink the eight-ball, the immaculately maintained pool tables are cordoned off from the beeping, buzzing and flashing video games. Go to www.DaveAndBusters.com and sign up to receive a free $10 game card. Try your luck in skee ball or other games of ''skill'' and you may win enough tickets to take home a pencil eraser or a little, green army man.
• The Billiard Club, 2610 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Sunrise -- All those who are in-the-biz (servers, bartenders, hosts/hostesses, cooks) can enjoy drink specials and free pool on Sunday and Monday at this upscale venue decked out with granite counter tops. If you're a working stiff like me, show up on those days because the in-the-biz crowd is filled with uninhibited partiers who will suck you into their good time with the pull of a black hole.
• Crazy 8's Sports Lounge, 4 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale -- You'll either work up an appetite from swinging sultrily from one of the two stripper poles or from being a spectator of the frequent, impromptu dances. Fortunately, the kitchen doesn't close until 4 a.m. You may or may not notice the two pool tables.
• Jesse's Xtreme Sports Bar, 5422 W. Atlantic Blvd., Margate -- Shoot a few games of pool and then enter the Guitar Hero challenge at 10 p.m. Friday nights. On Saturdays, live bands jam into the early morning.
• Side Pocket Pub, 3214 E. Atlantic Ave., Pompano Beach -- Establish eye contact, offer to pay for a round of drinks and a game of pool, and if things progress, suggest a romantic walk on the beach.
• Corner Pocket Billiards, 518 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Wilton Manors -- Although Verhoeven may sound like a new Volkswagen, it's actually a top of the line, climate-controlled billiard table. Corner Pocket has three of them. The bumpers and felt tops are electrically heated in order to give the balls a smoother roll.
The difference between pool and billiards was explained to me at Corner Pocket. A billiard table doesn't have pockets. What's the objective of the game if you can't sink a ball? I don't know because I only pretended to listen to the explanation. If I ever need to know the answer, I'll just call one of my fraternity brothers.
ON THE HORIZON
• Augustana, Wild Sweet Orange and Five Times August play tonight at the Culture Room. Tickets are $18; doors open at 8 p.m.
• The Funkabilly Playboys take the stage at O'Hara's Jazz & Blues Café on Las Olas at 9:30 p.m. Two-drink minimum.
Join the discussion
The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Not a registered user? It's Free!
Register here. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
