Shooters

Slim's Pool Palace to make 'em the hard way

By Greg Rohloff
Business Correspondent

For 19 years, Slim's Pool Palace has had a relative rarity at its bar — a beer sales only license. Not a beer and wine license, just a beer only license, thus depriving its patrons of at least one bad joke: What w(h)ine goes with a scratch on the eight ball? Aw, shi.....

Photo by Ralph Duke Shooters: Phil Woodard, manager of Slim's Pool Palace, and owner Rodney Edwards prepare the bar to go full service.

That license changed this past week for owner Rodney Edwards with the arrival of a full liquor license.

Edwards, known as "Fuzz" for his teen-aged hairdo that has since given way to a neatly cropped graying head, said that a slowing economy that has cut the number of casual pool players and the inevitable need for a change to maintain interest among his regular patrons led to the new license.

Manager Phil Woodard likened the situation to another indoor recreational sport, bowling, which at the lanes where he bowled this winter saw two regular leagues merge into a single league because of fewer league bowlers.

"I had to make the change just to keep everything going," Edwards said.

He had expected the license at the end of the month, but it arrived earlier than expected. So, this past week, Slim's began serving mixed drinks, but Edwards' philosophy hasn't changed.

The signs at the door banning gang-type attire— such as the sagging pants, known as jailin,' and ball caps worn backwards or sideways — still greet patrons because, as Edwards said, Slim's success through the years depends on keeping trouble from coming in. And, just like the sale of beer to pool players was predicated on no drinking to get drunk, Edwards said he isn't looking to attract a hard-drinking crowd out to get drunk.

"No Four Horsemen" cocktails, which call for four shots of different liquors, he says, as he explains how he will be adding bartenders to serve the simpler mixed drinks.

Just as important, he said, is the continued policy of allowing pool players younger than 21 to enter, with those under 18 required to leave at 10 p.m., even if they are with a parent. That detail was checked out with the state, he said, before applying for the license.

Woodard said he has been a stickler for checking IDs at the bar, with some patrons being checked on a second or third order during the evening just to make certain they are of legal drinking age.

Three days into the license, he has seen a slight increase in sales, Edwards said, although he can't be certain how that will stand until he's had the license for three to six months and patrons have become aware of the full bar service.

In working with the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission in gaining the license, Edwards said the licensing agent told him to expect to double his bar revenues.

And while the casual player may have shied away in recent months, Edwards sees a strong possibility of drink specials on Mondays and Tuesdays bringing them back.

Slim's Sunday night nine-ball tournament has continued to bring in a regular crowd, he said. But the better, serious pool players usually will ask for water or a soft drink, he said.

"The beer and liquor are for the recreational players out for an evening of relaxation and entertainment. That's where I make my money."

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Posted: May 8, 2008