Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street? Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street? Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street? Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street? Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street? Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street? Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street?

A Resident's Love for College Street Then and Now.

Where Art Thou Pool Hall College Street?

February 26, 2010

Andy Pool Hall
489 College Street
416-923-5300

*Picture & logo from andy poolhall

Back in 1993, when I was involved in the conversion of my very first loft development - The Button Factory - in Toronto's Little Italy neighbourhood, I'd spend an evening each week playing Stripes and Solids 8-ball in the original Bar Italia on College Street. Unadorned with great espresso, the Cubano Sandwich, funky music and most of the space dedicated to pool tables, Bar Italia was a laidback hang for we local yokels. Over the next five years, as the neighbourhood began to gentrify into what would be deemed one of the country's 'Top 5 Hippest Neighbourhoods', Bar Italia ditched the pool tables and evolved into a chic eatery. Instead of playing pool there, I would take my dates. So would everyone else, including the 905ers. This is what happens to city neighbourhoods that transition from principally serving the needs of area residents to attracting the pro-urban masses drawn to a 'Hot Destination'.
 
Still needing a pool hall, I migrated to the gritty Corner Pockets Pool Hall. It was a terrific rough 'n tumble venue which kept relocating around the neighbourhood, upgrading it's decor and clientele each time, until the skyrocketing rents that come with gentrification sunk it's very own 8 ball. By this time playing pool had become all the rage - and a lot more expensive. Once the leisure of the proletariat, it became the place of cooldom for young whippersnappers in finance, technology and multi-media - the kind who liked to smoke cigars (yes, smoking was still permitted back then), drink scotch and well, buy Lofts. Which was a good thing for real estate redevelopment, for by this time I was on my third loft project - The Movie House - down the street from Bar Italia at College and Euclid. The 18 unit loft conversion sold out in a shocking two hours. Nearly every buyer played pool.
 
It's now 17 years later and I consider myself a great pool teacher and a consistent loser to my students. I still live in one of The Button Factory Lofts, we continue to run Urbaneer.com in our cool space around the corner and I remain a short stroll to a Pool Hall with a great pretense-free vibe. Nowadays you'll find me at Andy Pool Hall - my current haunt for the past six years - located on College Street at Markham. I was there this week, as I am most, chalking my cue while the handsome DJ Jack Damage played 80s hits. It seemed every one of the eclectic crowd knew the words to the music which, to my relief, didn't make me feel alone in my vintage. What's more amazing is that playing pool isn't about being Hip anymore (phew!), and you can't smoke inside (phew too!). It's just a great way to relax. Or, at least for me. 

 
~Steve

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