Ballroom Billiard Saloons

I’ve been going to the Norwood Ballroom on and off for at least 20 years! I’m a local, I like playing pool, and they’re open late most nights if I fancy just going in for a drink. The staff are nice, I think I’ve watched 3 generations of the boss’s daughters working behind the bar. It’s that kind of place.
There’s also VIP membership discounts and a competition night. I’ve been to a few work functions up there and they done an open bar drinks tab, pizza and trophies. Kids parties too.

Hidden above Café Bravo on The Parade, the ballroom is a stomping ground for many locals.
Making the journey upstairs, you will enter a dark, cool place. The ballroom is always a lovely cool temperature.
As you’d expect there are many, many billiard tables to choose from. $ 2 a game for the front tables, they’re the only ones I’ve ever played on.
You can get internet access and a computer here making it the closest thing to an internet café on The Parade.
They have a fully stocked bar to take advantage of as well.

When I was a teenager, I thought that playing pool was the most badass thing you could do. I had this idea that any imbecile can fight, but the hardest men showed their skills first on the pool table… and THEN they proceeded to bash each other with their pool cues if there was further need for convincing. The Ballroom was one of my favourite places to go, and was a good way to spend a boring night on The Parade. Back then I wasn’t too bad at sinking a few, but nowadays I try to save myself the embarrassment.
The Ballroom would be a perfect place to shoot a bar fight. It’s dark and a little seedy, but not too intimidating. There are plenty of pool tables available and the place is hardly ever busy, so you won’t have to worry about waiting. In the event that you do have to wait for a table, you can always grab a drink from the bar and hang around or watch some of the other players flex their skills. The jukebox is also another great source of entertainment with tonnes of old hits — although I don’t think the majority of the patrons would appreciate playing a game of pool to Vengaboys, so it might be a good idea to stay away from the pop one hit wonders!

This pool hall is one of my favourite places on the Parade. It is hidden away upstairs and great entertainment for everyone. Apart from the Empire pool lounge, which frankly is quiet seedy, it is the only pool hall in the city.
There are not too many pool tables, but every time I have been there, there has been one available. It’s not expensive to play, just a couple of gold coins a game. There is also a jukebox, that also plays the matching music videos, so you can decide what terrible classic you want to listen to whilst attempting to hit balls into pockets.
I really enjoy the atmosphere up there. I have never felt uncomfortable and it is even suitable for families with teenage children. Importantly, they have a bar so you can sip on a beverage whilst playing. The drinks are slightly expensive, but nothing too ridiculous. The hall can also cater for functions of up to 200 people.
The interior decorating is very interesting. They have some of the weirdest statues and other items I have ever seen, there are even things hanging on the roof!