Taos

A couple weekends ago I traveled to Taos, New Mexico to photograph a wedding. It was a ton of work, so after two days of wearing nice clothes and taking pictures non-stop, I was itching to relax and check out the local nightlife scene. I asked around about pool tables, and was referred to two places. One was called Alley Cantina. I was told the place had a table but that it gets packed early on. The other place was the local Best Western hotel, which I was told never gets crowded but has three tables. I headed for Alley first.

I found the place very easily, and had in fact driven by it earlier that day. I paid a five dollar cover charge, grabbed a beer and set out to put my name on the list. It didn't look good, as there were at least 10 uncrossed names ahead of mine. But I was patient. About 15 minutes later two bouncers came in carrying a giant sheet of plexiglass, covered the pool table with it then scattered a few ashtrays around.

Instant real estate. Nobody missed a beat. People immediately started gathering around it, sitting on it, setting their drinks on it, almost as if relieved that the pool playing was finally over. I was surprised, as it wasn't even 11:30 PM (on a Saturday, no less). I asked a third, scar-faced bouncer what the deal was and he said, "It causes too many fights." I think I was more amused than disappointed. During the first game I had watched, one guy basically broke and ran the table, I was impressed. Do New Mexicans take their pool too seriously? Perhaps. Or, maybe it is still a little like the Old Wild West. The place was crawling with cops as well. An odd vibe all around.

So next I set out to find the Best Western. Once I got there I was told the bar was closed. I poked my head in though and could hear a few people having a conversation in total darkness. I could see three pool tables in the back of the room. Promising only to be 30 seconds, I went and a snapped a few frames of the lonely, actionless tables.