There is an undeniable cool factor associated with pool halls. This is only amplified by the pool halls of the olden days. It could be a cue ball’s unmistakable, piercing cack before it blazes across the pool table to hopefully hit its target. Or the inspired banter that can quickly erupt from patrons gathered around a pool table. It’s a unique environment, and the images often captured in a pool hall speak to it. We’ll take a look at some of the best images that we could find of pool halls from back in the day.
1. Chinatown, Honolulu pool hall, 1976
The fit alone is pure old-school cool.
2. My parents taking the game seriously in their old pool hall, 1990
They’re not playing games.
3. Two young men in front of The Play House pool hall in Jackson, Ohio, in 1936
Now that’s a cool couple of cats.
4. Mom, hustling pool at the local dive bar, around 1978
The real question is, how many games in a row has she very likely won?
5. Two members of the Zulu nation play English Billiards, somewhere in South Africa, in 1903
Someone’s about to win.
6. Just some gents and the pool hall that they used to run
It’d be crazy fun to run a pool hall.
7. Hatton Garden Snooker Club, London, UK in 1984
The colorization of most any nostalgic photo is a surefire recipe for success.
8. Jason Voorhees shooting pool and reading the paper between shoots
I wouldn’t want to put my name on the board for playing next.
9. Judy Garland playing pool in the Alpha Theta frat house at Dartmouth (1967)
Judy is clearly showing them how it’s done.
10. Sophia Loren playing pool, ca 1950s
Not with the behind-the-back, Sophia. Come on now.
11. Pool hall, Louisville, Kentucky, April 1972
Looks like a solid turnout.
12. Pool room and snack bar, Montreal in the 1970s
You’ve got to have your snacks to go with your pool.
13. Poolroom on Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee (Nov. 1939)
They’re probably talking about how intense the last game inside was.
14. A game of pool in the General Store, Franklin, Georgia 1941
What’s so funny there?
15. Doc Brown’s Saloon & Pool Room
Everyone always had to be so dressed up.
16. Jayne Mansfield plays some pool
Jayne was working on her game.
17. Playing pool in Burt, Iowa in the 1940s
Now that’s a throwback pool hall photo if I’ve ever seen one.
