On first glance, Tate St. Billiards was not very impressive-looking. Far from the smoky, seedy place that I was hoping to review, it was quiet, airy, and rather bland. Besides a placid drunk couple propping up the bar and a couple of college boys smoking cigars around a pool table, the place was empty.
Empty, that is, except for Khalilah.
Khalilah Allah-Lee is the night bartender for the pool hall. She works there seven nights a week, all year, chatting with her patrons and keeping the peace.
“It’s pretty mellow here,” Khalilah said. “Do I look like I let it get rowdy?”
No, not really.
Though not a particularly imposing person, Khalilah has a certain strength of character that would quickly dissuade anyone from causing trouble in her domain.
That, and the list of rules on the wall. According to the sign, you may not play pool in Khalilah’s house if your underwear is showing, or if you’re wearing a do-rag.
“If they won’t take off their do-rag, we don’t want them anyway,” she declared.
Probably because of her influence and her personal relationship with the UNCG Campus Police, Tate St. Billiards was quiet and mellow, but also very safe and comfortable.
The jukebox in the corner was well-stocked with a variety of tunes ranging from James Brown to Britney Spears. The patrons were well-behaved and friendly. If you want to go to a pool hall to play pool, this is just what you need.
But if you’re going for the atmosphere, this is not the place for you.
Everything was a little too clean, a little too functional. It seemed that when the owner decided to put together a pool hall, he remembered the tables, barstools, and Budweiser posters, but forgot the personality.
Tate St. Billiards is open only to members and their guests. Membership is $10 for a year, and playing pool costs $4.75 an hour. Lady members play free until midnight on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The pool hall is located on Tate Street, next to Tate St. Coffee and across from the Gate City Noise music store.
February 24 is Khalilah’s birthday, and, because she works there every night, she’ll be having her birthday party at the billiard hall. She personally invited all Guilford students to attend.
Just tell her that Tim sent you.