Beyond Your Average Billiards

With the Fargo Moorhead community growing in population and area, the entertainment in the city is growing to keep up. Fargo Billiards and Gastropub is not just big; it’s the largest billiards hall in North America.

The Gastropub is the child of Mike Page, the owner, who put in equal parts of effort and love for the game of pool. Charging in at full force, Page opened the hall with almost 60 pool tables, as well as a full bar with 24 taps and an espresso bar.

Large pool halls exist in other parts of the world. They have been around for years in Asia and Europe, but the United States is a bit behind. He traveled around and visited pool halls in 30 states and 3 provinces. “I’ve seen it all, from the upscale to the seedy. I wanted to bring in the best from what I saw,” Page said.

These visits resulted in Fargo, North Dakota being home to the largest pool hall in the western hemisphere. Page said, “The upper Midwest has always been strong for billiards.” The Gastropub reinforces that idea.

“We really wanted to break the mold on what’s been put around pool,” said Ben Hill, the food and beverage director. “Bring in some sunshine and make it more accessible.”

Hill noted that people have a certain idea when it comes to pool halls, but they were really trying to open it up and be available to pool players and fans of all ages and skill levels. This includes Page starting his own league, Flatland Pool League. It has a different ranking system than other pool leagues and uses one similar to those used in chess. This allows players of different skills to compete against one another.

While tournaments are held weekly on Sundays and Mondays, the size of establishment allows players to book a table regardless of the events going on. In fact, the tournaments have a special area that is separated from public tables “We’ve had people come in during tournaments and think they won’t get a table.” Hill said. “But we always have plenty of tables for everyone.”

Pool is the primary allure of the venue, but it’s not the only thing is has to offer; there is also a bar and restaurant in the building. The name “Gastropub” is a British term for a pub that takes its food seriously.

“We have a full kitchen with 125 menu items.” Hill added. “All made with a little love.”

The food and pool tables are open as late as 4 a.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. on weekends. Hill said that this was to accommodate people who don’t necessarily live on a standard schedule, as well as providing another place for people to go after the bars close, and they have plenty of room to do that.

Despite being a bar, the Gastropub is open to minors as well. Sectioned off is an area for people of all ages where alcohol isn’t allowed to be served. This means that the pool fans that are under 21 can still play with and learn from the experience that the pub brings.

Hill and Page took courses from the BCA, the Billiards Congress of America, to help pass on pool knowledge and make it more appealing to younger players. Along with billiards play, a specialist hired by the pool hall can do cue repair.

The love of the game can be felt in the building, as well as the story behind it. Page and Hill would play pool in other billiard halls, and Hill described times spending whole days in them. Almost 3 years ago Page and Hill discussed what a dream restaurant would be. When Page proposed the idea, and asked Hill on staff, it seemed like a dream.

When making this dream come true, Page “spared no expense” and went all in to make a pool hall like one that had never been seen before. And almost as important, one that sounds like one that has never been heard before.

“We control the music here.” Said Hill with a smile. “No jukeboxes here.”

The Fargo Billiards and Gastropub is open for business and is located at 3234 43rd Street South, Fargo.