Studio One Hundred

A few Sundays ago, Yvonne and I were riding the F train uptown. We must've been talking about something important because we missed our intended stop at 34th Street. So we got off at the next stop, exiting at the rear of the station at 40th and Sixth Avenue, and backtracked from there. A block later I spotted a banner hanging from a Marriott Residence Inn with the words "Studio One Hundred Bar and Billiards" on it. I said to her "Do you mind if I go take a look? Just to look, not to play." We went in and I talked to somebody at the front desk who directed us to the third floor. Once on the third floor it felt like we were in the study room of some college campus, as people were scattered around sitting in big lounge chairs reading and working on their laptops. There was a neon "Studio One Hundred" sign lit up that clearly indicated the bar, but the door to the bar was locked. I looked in and didn't see any pool tables. So we sort of circled around the third floor, I even asked somebody who worked there but he was new and didn't know. Eventually we found a door with a bronze plaque by it that read "Billiards Hall." I slowly pushed the door open and there was a pool table. It was a small room, it was adjacent to the main bar area. The table appeared to be a smaller 4x8 table, not a full-size one. But the balls were in the pockets and it was ready to go. I'll be anxious to stop back in next time I'm in midtown. The first thing I thought of was the similar free-pool scenario I wrote about at THOR. Below is a picture of the table. It's not much of a photo, it's actually two pictures stitched together. I found an official description of Studio One Hundred here. They write: Studio One Hundred (no children please) is our full service Bar and Billiard Room located on the 3rd floor. The bar offers a special mixed drink menu of standards and unique seasonal cocktails. The billiard table is usually the center of spirited challenges and energetic fun. Flat screen TV's, free high speed internet, all in a smoke free environment provide guests room to relax and unwind after a busy New York City day.