Pool Hall Business

Lloyd Xmas

Hi All,

The idea of opening a pool hall in Dublin City Centre has been on my mind for a while, so i'm just wondering what people here would think of such a venture.

When I factor everything in, I know for a fact it wouldn't be a huge earner by any means, but I do have a keen interest in the game and a strong desire to "do my own thing".

So if anyone has any opinions etc.. I'd be delighted to hear them, and hopefully things will become a bit clearer.

Perhaps someone has considered this line of business before, or maybe someone is involved in it at present?

Cheers

fishy21

just a few things to add.

Make sure you get proper quality tables, its expensive but would inrease customers.

obviously location would be very important. Somewhere near a school or college would be good for lunchtime.
Im sure insurance would be fairly expensive for something like this.

delllat

a coupe of extra large eastern european bouncers would also be requireed to eject the scum when the start messing around and damaging your equipment

Lloyd Xmas

Hi,

Thanks for the replys. Re the location, I'd be hoping for Dublin City Centre in an area where I could capitalise on students from Trinity, DIT etc...
I'd also be looking at getting tournaments up and running a couple of times a week as there aren't many in Dublin.

Tables also would indeed need to be of quality, nothing worse than playing on poor tables.

Re the security aspect, I know a lot of people aren't to fond of the idea, but I don't think tracksuits would be allowed in.
In order to set the right atmosphere and to attract the kind of chaps I want playing there, I think its necessary.
If a pool hall has a bad rep for its clientele, its extremely difficult to shake that off and reverse it. A membership model might be the way to go.
I say the above, as I would ideally like to steer clear of having to have bouncers standing outside the door. Pretty off-putting I'd imagine for some.

Anymore thoughts would be welcome also.
Cheers

enviro

DIT have tables already AFAIK.

Young people (15-25) would be the right target market to go for in my opinion. Tracksuits come part of that group. Collage students don't normally dress formal when attending classes.

You have stated you wish to prevent this type of consumer entering your business through a dress code policy. Fair enough, but are the other segments of the market big enough for you to turn a profit?

For example; How many 30-40 year olds do you expect to get in to play weekly? How will you achieve this?, as in what types of promotions?

I would recommend a detailed market research process should be carried out before you commit to anything. Check out the competition for example.

In my own opinion, a dress code policy would suit a snooker club better. An exclusive city centre club could be a runner... if there isnt one already that is.

Just saw you mentioned a membership model. I think thats a good idea, especially if the venue is quality; tables, atmosphere ect..
An idea could be to charge monthly for membership similar to a gym. This would allow you to maintain a steady income during a quiet week.

Good luck with the venture

Budget Marketing

I can confirm that there are pool tables in DIT.....about 6 in aungier street school of business.

I have never visited but i do know that there is a pool set up above the Doc morris pharmacy in Rathmines which would be near enough the city. Maybe you should drop around there and see how they run their place.

Should you maybe partner with some sort of pub/club, bring the tables in on quiet days midweek when there is space for them and host tournaments. Off the top of my head i think that most people whom play pool would like to have the option of having a pint with their game.

Rob

Lloyd Xmas

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Yes DIT do have tables and they're priced reasonably also.

There are a number of colleges though in the city-centre which could be targeted by way of advertising on noticeboards, flyers etc...
Inexpensive yet effective.

The thing is to promote the tournament aspect of the business as none of the places in the City-Centre run tournaments.
A low cost of entry and a decent pot for 1st, 2nd, 3rd is a win / win scenario for all really.

The market I was thinking of was more the 18-35 age group. Students and young people working in the city-centre. Students during the day and workers perhaps from 6pm onwards.

I realise that offering pool only may be stretching it a little, therefore TVs for the Champions League, Rugby etc.. may perhaps be an idea.
I also toyed with the idea of BYO alcohol approach after 6pm, however strict rules would clearly need to be applied here, if such a thing would even be permitted.

Re the dress code policy; The Palace had a dress code policy whereby tracksuit clothing wasn't allowed.
This worked well imo, as it kept the undesirables out, hence left the door open for people to enjoy a few games in peace.
I think because of this approach, you'd often see woman playing as part of a group which is something you rarely, if ever, see in Dublin.

delllat

Lloyd Xmas wrote: »

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Yes DIT do have tables and they're priced reasonably also.

There are a number of colleges though in the city-centre which could be targeted by way of advertising on noticeboards, flyers etc...
Inexpensive yet effective.

The thing is to promote the tournament aspect of the business as none of the places in the City-Centre run tournaments.
A low cost of entry and a decent pot for 1st, 2nd, 3rd is a win / win scenario for all really.

The market I was thinking of was more the 18-35 age group. Students and young people working in the city-centre. Students during the day and workers perhaps from 6pm onwards.

I realise that offering pool only may be stretching it a little, therefore TVs for the Champions League, Rugby etc.. may perhaps be an idea.
I also toyed with the idea of BYO alcohol approach after 6pm, however strict rules would clearly need to be applied here, if such a thing would even be permitted.

Re the dress code policy; The Palace had a dress code policy whereby tracksuit clothing wasn't allowed.
This worked well imo, as it kept the undesirables out, hence left the door open for people to enjoy a few games in peace.
I think because of this approach, you'd often see woman playing as part of a group which is something you rarely, if ever, see in Dublin.

check out the place on o connell st a few doors down from dr quirkys
they have pool /snooker and gambling and its never really overrun with scumbags any time ive been there but they usually have a man on the door at all times to stop junkies coming in to shoot up in the toilets and general tracksuit airmax rif raff etc

Plebs

Lloyd Xmas wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for the replys. Re the location, I'd be hoping for Dublin City Centre in an area where I could capitalise on students from Trinity, DIT etc...
I'd also be looking at getting tournaments up and running a couple of times a week as there aren't many in Dublin.

Tables also would indeed need to be of quality, nothing worse than playing on poor tables.

Re the security aspect, I know a lot of people aren't to fond of the idea, but I don't think tracksuits would be allowed in.
In order to set the right atmosphere and to attract the kind of chaps I want playing there, I think its necessary.
If a pool hall has a bad rep for its clientele, its extremely difficult to shake that off and reverse it. A membership model might be the way to go.
I say the above, as I would ideally like to steer clear of having to have bouncers standing outside the door. Pretty off-putting I'd imagine for some.

Anymore thoughts would be welcome also.
Cheers

Trinity have amazing snooker and pool rooms. High ceilings and wood panelling overlooking front square... Also, you're not allowed put adverts on notice boards in colleges.

I'd set one up near Leeson Street somewhere: CUS/Loreto/Institute

Dunno how much money kids have though... They spend more time kissing, fighting and smoking than they do putting coins through slots. They're also always on the lookout for a warm place where they can shift, drink and smoke on the QT. So you'll defo need security.

I'd say pool halls are great for laundering cash if you have lots of other business interests if ya know what I mean...

Plebs

Lloyd Xmas wrote: »

Re the dress code policy; The Palace had a dress code policy whereby tracksuit clothing wasn't allowed.
This worked well imo, as it kept the undesirables out, hence left the door open for people to enjoy a few games in peace.

Palace is an absolute scum hole. All the local residents from the flats across the road and off St Stephen's Green come over. But the bouncers are violent fockers pumped up on steroids and have no trouble bringing you into the special room and dumping you out on the street 10 minutes later through the special side door. You have to have such bouncers working for you to keep things under control. Otherwise, the place would be shut down in no time. The fights outside that place are unreal.

PaulPinnacle

delllat wrote: »

check out the place on o connell st a few doors down from dr quirkys

Ned Kelly's I assume? Spent many a 'lecture' in there back in the day

delllat wrote: »

they have pool /snooker and gambling and its never really overrun with scumbags any time ive been there...

+1. Always had a decent type of crowd in there (but a very small one if memory serves, never had a problem grabbing a table) when I used to pop in. Seemed to see a lot of the same faces around and often got some impromptu competitions going amongst whoever was about. Always a good laugh.

That might have had something to do with the outside being less than inviting (it looked pretty drab from the outside truth be told, I probably never would have tried it if a friend hadn't dragged me in the first time) and the proximity (as with Quirkeys) to the local station. I think the pool tables used to be busy enough, but the snooker tables were always fairly quiet (might have just been the times we tended to wander up though).

delllat

PaulPinnacle wrote: »

Ned Kelly's I assume? Spent many a 'lecture' in there back in the day

+1. Always had a decent type of crowd in there (but a very small one if memory serves, never had a problem grabbing a table) when I used to pop in. Seemed to see a lot of the same faces around and often got some impromptu competitions going amongst whoever was about. Always a good laugh.

That might have had something to do with the outside being less than inviting (it looked pretty drab from the outside truth be told, I probably never would have tried it if a friend hadn't dragged me in the first time) and the proximity (as with Quirkeys) to the local station. I think the pool tables used to be busy enough, but the snooker tables were always fairly quiet (might have just been the times we tended to wander up though).

ive been in it about 50 times but i just couldnt rememenbr the name of it but thats the place

downstairs they have loads of gambling machines which probably generate as much/more revenue than the pool tables

they also have table football
and that game with the sand on the table (god knows what its called )
and they serve drinks and snacks

only ever had a bad day once in there when a chinese guy insisted trying to hoover under and beside the table we were playing on

Lloyd Xmas

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for the replies - I'd really need to look at this very very closely as the theme so far seems to be the task of keeping the riff-raff at bay.

Clearly there's a dodgy element that's attracted to Pool / Snooker and i'm not to sure if it's worth the hassle tbh.

I was also thinking, what if I were to receive a visit from someone requesting money to "protect" my business?
I mean lets face it, there's a fair chance of this happening considering the nature of the business :eek:

I think, given the response so far, it may be wiser to drop this idea as there's a lot of variables which could either go for, or against, this being a success. For me personally, the factors that go against, are not worth the risk of ploughing money into it; when the cash could be put to better use in something else.

I really appreciate the replies, they've all been very useful.

Cheers

delllat

Lloyd Xmas wrote: »

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for the replies - I'd really need to look at this very very closely as the theme so far seems to be the task of keeping the riff-raff at bay.

Clearly there's a dodgy element that's attracted to Pool / Snooker and i'm not to sure if it's worth the hassle tbh.

I was also thinking, what if I were to receive a visit from someone requesting money to "protect" my business?
I mean lets face it, there's a fair chance of this happening considering the nature of the business :eek:

I think, given the response so far, it may be wiser to drop this idea as there's a lot of variables which could either go for, or against, this being a success. For me personally, the factors that go against, are not worth the risk of ploughing money into it; when the cash could be put to better use in something else.

I really appreciate the replies, they've all been very useful.

Cheers

if anyone suggests any business in dublin city centre should pay "protection money" id tell them they have 3 seconds to fcuk off before i ring the guards

pay your own bouncer/security staff and draw the line there

if your business is legal and paying tax you are entitled to the protection of the state/guards/courts etc

dont entertain paying gansters to "watch over" your business

PaulPinnacle

delllat wrote: »

downstairs they have loads of gambling machines which probably generate as much/more revenue than the pool tables

they also have table football
and that game with the sand on the table (god knows what its called )
and they serve drinks and snacks

Really? Sounds like it has changed a lot since the last time I visited (which is about 6 or 7 years ago to be fair).

If I remember correctly, all the gambling machines used to be up close to the entrance, the pools tables down the back and the snooker tables downstairs (my memory of the layout is pretty hazy to be fair). It sounds like they had to change the business model a bit (and expand on their offerings) to improve the profits, something for the OP to consider if the idea is to proceed.

delllat

PaulPinnacle wrote: »

Really? Sounds like it has changed a lot since the last time I visited (which is about 6 or 7 years ago to be fair).

If I remember correctly, all the gambling machines used to be up close to the entrance, the pools tables down the back and the snooker tables downstairs (my memory of the layout is pretty hazy to be fair). It sounds like they had to change the business model a bit (and expand on their offerings) to improve the profits, something for the OP to consider if the idea is to proceed.

they dont have an extensive menu but you can purchase a few snacks from the reception area
they have tea ,various coffees ,crisps chocolate bars and other basic snacks

it was renovated about 2 years ago if i remember correctly and the downstairs gambling area has a separate basement entrance and theres usually a good few people in there when i go in (usually majority asian )

ground floor has loads of pool tables and upstairs were 3-4 snooker tables last time i was there

they could have changed it again since then though

holystungun9

Hey,

first off, best of luck whatever you decide. When I saw the thred I immediately thought of my local snooker and pool hall. That was the core business, now the have internet cafe and slot machines. The thing I must say is that the place has a good clean reputation. I think that is the key because if a place goes bad and gets that rep there is no going back. Here is the link www.circles.ie they are based in clonmel, Tipperary. And run by two sound lads.