A Guide to the Best of Southern California : GOING PLACES : New Game in Town: Cool Pool

FROM BRENTWOOD to Glendale, yuppies, teeny-boppers and middle-aged couples are discovering something that old-fashioned billiards fans have known all along: Pool is cool.

Today’s billiards revival has been fueled by a handful of upscale pool halls that feature everything from computerized table-operating systems and spa cuisine to burnished antique-wood furniture and California Chardonnays by the glass.

Even Business Week has jumped on the bandwagon. The magazine recently announced that health clubs were “out” and pool was “in.” “Pool is enjoying a real renaissance. It’s no longer (played only in) smoky, seedy places,” says Paul Roberts, who manages a chain of billiard halls called Rockets ‘N’ Pockets that’s geared for the 16-to-24-year-old crowd.

This new breed of billiard parlors thrives on America’s insatiable appetite for sanitized nostalgia. “We picture it as the Ed Debevic’s of pool,” Roberts says, referring to the ‘50s-style Westside diner. Rockets ‘N’ Pockets establishments don’t serve alcohol, but they do, according to Roberts, dish up “everything the MTV generation would think is cool, including a CD jukebox.” The decor is neon, with wall murals and lots of bright, well-lighted spaces. There are even free group lessons and house leagues.

Then there’s Charles Billiard in Glendale. “We’re very chic,” says owner Charles Saghi, whose hall attracts businessmen in suits on their lunch hour.

Of course, yuppie pool halls charge uptown prices. Hourly rates vary but can range from $3 an hour for one person during the day to $15 per hour for four people in the evening. But entrepreneurs say the billiards business is booming. At Q’s in Brentwood, which has a full bar and kitchen, manager Jacque Duryee reports that business is excellent.

During the day, Q’s serves business types (customers get a free hour of pool when they buy lunch). In the evening, it’s the 25-to-35-year-old crowd, and on weekends, college and club people. A dress code keeps the casual at bay: No torn clothes, tank tops, shorts or thongs are allowed.

Upscale billiard parlors began on the East Coast, at Chelsea’s Billiards in New York, which attracts an eclectic--and sometimes famous--clientele, and at the elegant Jillian’s in Boston, which has waiting lists seven nights a week despite $10-per-hour rates.

“It’s a throwback to the ‘50s,” says Roberts of the ‘90s billiards trend. “We want to have fun with the memory of it, but not relive the reality.”

Q’s, 11835 Wilshire Blvd, Brentwood, (213) 477-7550. Charles Billiard, 222 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, (818) 547-4859. Rockets ‘N’ Pockets, 19092 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, (714) 965-2240, and 1379 Foothill Blvd., Upland, (714) 946-9976.