08/30/09

Give it a try

by KStater

This was our first time in the Green Room, and I have to say, I've finally found a place to play pool! Sure, many places have one or two tables, but they're usually taken by 3 drunk dudes trying to pick up chicks and never give up the table. The Green Room isn't flashy, but it is a cool place to hang out and drink cold beer. Didn't feel unsafe at all even on a late Saturday night. Plenty of parking and if you want to go somewhere else, there's lots of other hangouts nearby. Overall, a great experience and we'll sure be back.

• Pros: Table availability, environment
• Cons: kind of grungy

06/14/09

New News New News New News

by btp0303

Just a quick post to all who venture to Durham. The Green Room has become smoke free. It makes a huge difference for the future visitor who might otherwise be put off. In addition, to respond to some of the comments about indifferent service and being treated rudely, I would say the Green Room is more like a best friend than a local pool hall. If you come in it with a bad attitude you might get some bad attitude back. The Green Room is not in the business of pleasing people who can't please themselves. Come in with a fun and welcoming attitude and you will be treated with the same cheer as you bring in, I promise. Who knows who these people were that recieved bad service, but I would venture to guess that if you or I owned our own bar or pool hall, we probably would have delt with these customers just as the Green Room may have been forced to in these particular instances. Visit, enjoy, relax. See you there.

• Pros: Friends Pool and Music
• Cons: None

07/31/08

Best place in Durham

by luckylady123

I love the Green Room! This is the only place in Durham I go to hang out. The guys on staff are all friendly and smart and the owner always makes sure to say hello. This is a place where you can go and feel free to be yourself in a safe environment. They have a great selection of bottled beers and sell those cute little cokes in the glass bottles. Did I mention it has the best jukebox in the world? If you haven't been there, check it out!

• Cons: too smoky

07/29/08

Classic Pool Hall. Interesting mix of people.

by joeblow3

The earlier reviews with complaints about "rules" are strange but there's an element of truth.

The new owner doesn't have the personality of the former owner, Joe. That's ok, we're all different, but if you're going to be in charge of a public establishment, you better treat the public like you're happy to see them. If you treat them indifferently or as if they're ruining your day by asking for a beer, they're less likely to come back.

That being said, I'll be back because I like shooting pool and it's a nice play for that.

• Pros: Classic pool tables. Good crowd.
• Cons: Indifferent service.

07/25/08

Historic place with cheap beer, great music, and gorgeous old pool hall tables

by zeeps

A classic, probably my favorite place in Durham.

Beautiful, simple layout, great jukebox, darts and shuffleboard, old wooden seats that looked they've been restored from a 1930s schoolhouse, its is an easy place to be anonymous and an easy place to make friends. Among other things, it's both a real old school bar and a place that a woman can come in alone, get a beer, and feel completely comfortable.

I've been coming here on and off for twelve years, with all kinds of people--criminal defense lawyers, retail salesclerks, third dates, exes, cousins, teachers, utilitarian philosophers--and haven't yet met a person who doesn't love it. And I don't even play pool well.

05/22/08

The Green Room: Make the Pilgrimage

by DrDave16

Forget the two bad reviews below and treat yourself to some real history. If the powers that be had any real soul they would contribute to the preservation of places like The Green Room. Owned & run by Michael Dearing as an act of love, this historic pool hall & bar has been preserved in it's slightly seedy original condition and is like stepping into a film set, you expect to see Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason playing on a table in the corner. Monday night is the local team night, and as for the previous owner Joe not liking the new venue (below)...he was shooting pool there when I visited and looked like he was enjoying himself.

If you doubt the owner's credentials, go to the indyweek website (August 23rd 2006) and read his own article on why he bought the place, and if a tear doesn't come to your eye you're a sterner man than me. His own words, 'Come by and spend time in a place full of character and filled with characters. With a little luck, we'll be able to keep the Green Room's magic going for another 20 years.'

Pros: loads of bottled brews (local and other), friendly staff and customers & ATMOSPHERE

Cons: smokey & no food

Dave

• Pros: Loads of bottled brews, friendly staff & customers & ATMOSPHERE
• Cons: Smokey and no food

08/27/07

New to it, but love it

by gfreak

I'm new to Durham, but was told about The Green Room (and former owner Joe) by former Durham resident. Spent the evening there last night, kicked back some cold ones, and shot some pool (not much else to do, but that's why we went). Had a good conversation with the bartender and new owner, and had a very good visit. Lots of beer, broad selection, but only bottled (no problem if you're playing pool, though I wouldn't mind having a small bar with whiskey etc available). The beer was very cold, tables were nice, and bar cues were straight with fresh tips.

If you like a traditional pool hall, this is it. I'll be there.

• Pros: Lots of tables, good pool atmosphere, good equipment, friendly service
• Cons: Could use a couple of TVs playing ESPN or similar, currently just one behind the bar

07/27/07

gone down hill

by adam2907

Very discouraging. I used to come here all the time a few years ago. I stopped in a few times within the last 4 weeks and each time I was treated very rudely. Every time I tried to play shuffleboard I was told I was "wrong about the rules" which were not posted anywhere! Back when Joe was there we used to determine the rules (of which there are many) before each game. Who ever heard of house rules that aren't posted?Can't believe how much things have changed...for the worse.

07/27/07

joe would be horrified

by mizzy852

Talk about BAD customer service. Wow. Can't believe I'm about to say this. After years of being a Green Room faithful I have to say that the change of ownership has completely changed my feelings. What used to be my favorite hangout has turned into an elitist club. There are more than one way to play pool, shuffleboard, or darts. House rules are NOT posted so if one wants to discuss the rules before playing that is NOT grounds for getting kicked out of the bar. I have never met more rude individuals than Garret the bartender or Mike the new owner. Joe, the old owner would be appalled about the way his wonderful old bar is now being run. I used to bring so much business into the old place but now all i want to do is warn everybody against it. I can't believe how disappointed I am.

• Cons: staff and management

The finest pool hall in N.C. Where Dukie meets townie, black meets white, gay meets straight, and everybody feels comfortable.

by Contributor

In Short
Old platform chairs, autographed Duke jerseys and 10 of the finest pool tables you're ever likely to see--all nine-foot classic Brunswicks and Saunier-Wilhems, dating back to 1925, perfectly leveled with smooth felt--and plenty of straight cues to shoot with. Billiard aren't free, but there are plenty of other gratis activities. The room's centerpiece is a homemade 22-foot shuffleboard, where you can take revenge on your friends fter losing at 9-ball, darts or cards.