Businessman hopes everyone is into pool

Matthew Jonas

Roxborough resident Steve Post has opened Pockets Bar and Grill at 5935 S. Zang St.

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Businessman Steve Post has dabbled in an array of entrepreneurial endeavors — he’s owned an automotive salvage yard, a bingo hall and a bar. But his new venture, a South Jeffco pool hall, reflects a lifelong love of billiards.

“I started playing pool when I was a kid, (but) I didn’t start playing seriously until about 20 years ago,” said Post, 58, a Roxborough resident. “I really like the mental part of the game — figuring out the lay of the table.”

So on Aug. 6, he, along with his brother and co-owner, Chris, opened the doors to Pockets Bar and Grill.

Pockets, which replaces the former Finish Line Sports Pub at 5935 S. Zang St., is unique in a few ways. The pool hall features a restaurant with a patio, a full bar and 18 televisions, several of which are built in to each of the individual booths. And the menu offerings are a notch above what people might expect at a typical bar or pool hall, Post said.

“I was really surprised at the location,” he said. “I was attracted to the center because of the people I met,” he added, referring to owners of the surrounding businesses. “I thought this area could use a place that had pool tables.”

Though the business was originally slated to open in July, delays in construction and finishing touches delayed the debut until this month.

The establishment boasts seven pool tables, which dispense rounds of balls for 50 cents per game. Other amenities will follow, Post said, including dartboards and regular poker tournaments.

Post, who once owned the PK Shooters bar in Littleton, has so far hired a staff of 15 for his new business. He and his brother are trading shifts as managers, and a few other family members, including Post’s sister, a niece and nephew, are takings rolls.

Despite the late start, he said he’s glad to be back at the helm of a business, especially one revolving around his favorite pastime.

“Pool’s one of those things — sometimes you’re there, and sometimes you’re not,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to get back into it. … It’s a lot of fun.”

Pockets is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.    

Contact Emile Hallez Williams at emile@evergreenco.com or 303-933-2233, ext. 22. For updates, check www.ColumbineCourier.com.