If you’re looking for an alternative to the typical night out, this may just be the place for you. Located right here in Hamden, the Towne Billiards Club is the perfect spot for a laid-back evening of food, fun, and friendly competition. Established in July 1993, the club features eighteen state-of-the-art billiard tables, a full bar, a lounge area with a view into the pool room, a full-service pro shop, and more. While many people may be quick to judge a billiards club as a stereotypical dive bar, the Towne Billiards Club defies the norm.

“We’re a family oriented business,” says Mavis Florio, owner and operator. “It’s a friendly, cozy place, even though it’s big, it’s comfortable. It’s a great place for people to come, maybe who haven’t experienced a pool hall in recent years.”

The Towne Billiards Club offers the community more than just billiards. The facility also hosts Hamden’s monthly Scrabble Club, as well as other, informal game groups.

“We even have a group that comes in to play Sorry,” adds Florio, “and we’re always open to more ideas.”

The club is also a great place to just sit back and relax with friends, even for those who aren’t billiards enthusiasts. There are video games, an internet jukebox, and two large-screen televisions in the lounge, perfect for watching a big game. For those who are of age, Towne Billiards offers a full bar with nightly drink specials made by their staff of expert bartenders. Still, the Towne Billiards Club prides itself on being open to all ages.

“We are one of the few places that make an effort to keep it all ages,” says Florio. “It sets us apart. We are a destination where everybody can be comfortable. In college, twenty-one- and twenty-two- year- olds can just as easily have eighteen- and nineteen-year-old friends. Here, they can all have fun together.”

Patrons of all ages can also enjoy snacks off the club’s café-style menu, which includes items like stuffed breads, chicken taquitos, and jalapeno poppers. Fresh coffee and a variety of soft drinks are always available for refreshment as well.

Of course, Towne Billiards Club is primarily a billiards club. They showcase eighteen Brunswick Gold Crown III pool tables in the pool room, with great lighting to visualize the perfect shot. The club caters to casual billiards players, but also hosts billiards leagues and the occasional tournament. For the serious billiards player, the on-site pro shop can meet all your pool equipment needs. They sell cues from brands such as Viking and Meucci, as well as provide replacement and repair services.

Whether you’re a billiards pro or you’ve never picked up a cue, the Towne Billiards Club can offer you a night of fun in a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere and at an affordable price. On Sundays and Tuesdays, patrons can pay a flat rate of $10 to come in and stay until close, rather than watching the clock. If you are ready for a different way to spend your night out, keep Towne Billiards Club in mind.

“We would love to have more Quinnipiac people come find us,” says Florio. “We get new regulars all the time.”

For directions to Towne Billiards Club or for more information, visit www.townebilliards.com or check out their Myspace page at www.myspace.com/townebilliards