Green Room

It would be a very good idea to put mirrors in your bathrooms, guys! Consider that we are customers and not pigs. My boyfriend and I went after dinner a couple of weeks ago at Watt's Grocery to play shuffleboard. We used to compete. What a uniquely lousy shuffleboard table. It is uneven and needs to be refurbished. We also found that we were scooping more human hair and dust bunnies out of the sides than table wax. I have never played on a table with so little table wax. \r \r Other than these two complaints, the beer selection was quite good. The bartender, thinking he was amusing when he clearly wasn't, was far too chatty with us which made me a little uncomfortable We had to wait for him to finish his cigarette outside for perhaps five minutes before we could pay our check. Bottom line is this place could be so much (with emphasis) better if the owner/management cared for their customers (mirrors please!) and resurfaced the shuffleboard table. \r \r Until we hear that mirrors are installed in the restrooms, and hopefully the shuffleboard reworked, we will be frequenting other establishments in our Watts-Hillendale neighborhood. more

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 more

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 more

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 more

The earlier reviews with complaints about ""rules"" are strange but there's an element of truth. Pros: Classic pool tables. Good crowd. Cons: Indifferent service. more

A classic, probably my favorite place in Durham. more

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

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. 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 more

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. more

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 more

Not many people know about the green room, but it has to be one of my favorite places on the planet. For those of you who may be frightened by the outward appearance, get over it. Walk in, have a drink and play a free game or two on Durham's greatest, and probably only, hand made shuffleboard table. Pros: ambience, occasional randy's pizza delivery, Killer B more

It's an old school pool hall, no frills. Balls and tables are not too clean. House cues are ok. Only serves bottles of beer. Pros: value, beer selection Cons: balls, tables, bathrooms more

i would definately suggest this spot to anyone just wanting to chill out and play a few games of pool. their house sticks are in great condition and the atmosphere is wonderful. it's such an old spot that just kinda feels welcoming. even tho the smoke clouds are intoxing and the bathroom is a little scary, the beer is cold and the juke box has great tunes. Pros: inexpensive, great atmosphere, good tables Cons: smokey, scary bathrooms more

Crowd is typically Durham locals with a few students. There's never a problem to get a table, even on a weekend evening. Bartenders are friendly and keep the beers coming. Pros: low-key, inexpensive Cons: smoky more