Owners and Patrons Celebrating New Home of Livingston's Billiards

Fans of pool or billiards or snooker – whatever your game’s name – look no further than , 4828 14^th St. W.

And if that location seems new, it is. Livingston’s recently moved a few blocks north to slightly larger digs. Livingston’s continues to offer pool and billiards in a classy, comfortable setting with 34 tables (7, 8, and 9-foot tables and a few 5-by-10s for billiards and snooker), a couple Foosball tables, a small bar and even a non-smoking pool room behind airtight glass walls.

With a dress code – cover your torso, no sleeveless shirts and for heaven’s sake, no overt underwear displays; a strict prohibition against fighting – anyone involved in a brawl gets a lifetime ban; and plans for cosmetic upgrades here and there, Livingston’s seeks to shed the Hollywood image of a dingy pool hall where roughnecks break pool sticks over the heads of their combatants.

“We’re not a pool hall, we’re a billiards parlor," said Kathryn Amon, with a laugh. She’s the vice president and manager, a gig that she inherited about four and a half years ago from her dad, Keith Amon, who bought Livingston’s in May 1992. Livingston’s was about three years old then.

A much younger Keith Amon was a regular on the pool scene in Ohio. But he took a long break, moved to Florida and in the early 1990s traveled the state as a manufacturer’s sales representative selling, naturally, billiards equipment. But he grew tired of the road and approached the original Livingston’s owners about a job. They didn’t have a job, but offered to sell. Livingston’s has been in the Amon family for going on 20 years.

“A lot of people ask if we’ve been successful, and I ask them ‘What do you mean?’” he said. “Does that mean that I make a lot of money? No. But we’re still here after 22 years.”

A table generally costs $5 an hour for one player or $10 an hour for two or more Monday through Thursday (ladies play for free every Monday). On Fridays and Saturdays, the cost is $6 an hour for a single player or $12 per hour for multiple players. On Sundays the cost dips to $3.50 per person/per hour or $6 per hour for multiple players.

Livingston’s hosts 9-ball and 8-ball leagues on Tuesdays and Thursdays but there are still plenty of tables available for non-league players. Livingston’s also has a small beer and wine bar with a light menu. That’s there to keep hungry or thirsty customers from wandering away, Kathryn said.

Alcohol isn’t its predominant source of business, so Livingston’s welcomes customers as young as 16. Anyone younger must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

“We’ll let anyone come in and play but they have to behave,” Kathryn said. “We want this to be a place where you’d want to bring your children and have some fun.”

Livingston’s turns 22 years old in October, so expect a party. But you don’t have to wait that long because the Amons plan to celebrate Livingston’s new home throughout most of August beginning with a party Friday, Aug. 5, with live music from local classic rockers Palma Sola Sharpshooters from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., gift cards and merchandise give-aways courtesy of nearby and more. Through Aug. 20 there will be half price pool from 4-6 p.m. on most nights followed by more raffles every night at 10 p.m. for a chance to win free pool.

Stay tuned to Patch.com for updates.

IF YOU GO

Livingston’s Billiards, 4828 14^th St. W., is open from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. There is no cover to get in, but you have to pay to play.