Keystone Cue & Cushion

This pool hall was a classic, not sure what happened but was sad to see it had closed. There was another room in town that was probably better, all things considered, but this was THE place. I spent an afternoon practicing next to Johnny Archer, The Monk was at the counter. It was good enough for the legends it was good enough for me, not sure what the hell happened but sad to see it go.

This is a retrospective review.
I started going to the C&C in the late 80’s. I was 14 and 15, I used to sneak out of my house in Verdi and have my older buddy Pete pick me up. We’d smoke cigs and listen to «Danzig II, Lucifuge» on our way back into town. We’d hit an AM/​PM for smokes and junk food, cruie by Shakey’s Pizza and then hit the Cue thinking we were cool as hell.
I was a young punk, the old owner put up with me and my friends= A+
Learned how to play pool here, bought my first cue (still have it). Was a legit pool hall. Arcade section was cool. Learned how to play Street Fighter II here,
Food — Old school diner U around the grill between the pool hall and the arcade. Swivel backed chairs ona post bolted into the floor. Only ever ordered the hotdog and fries. Dog came on a toasted bun split and grilled down the middle with mayo, Only time I’ve ever seen that and it was awesome.
This is a 20+ year memory, but The Cue & Cushion deserves a review that hearkens back to a time when its dark and dingy self was a good thing, and not something to be ridiculed. I loved the joint and it will always hold a place in my heart, gone though it may be.

Was just there this past weekend, place looked great to me and food was good too!

I did not come here expecting a classy experience. I came here to meet a friend who had a wristband entitling her to all the cheap beer she could drink for $ 13.
This place seems disjointed-​it is large but there are separate spaces dividing the crowd and the atmosphere of the place. In the area by the bar there were a bunch of rockabilly types. Passing the small stage are several pool tables. Outside in the back was a dj spinning some trancey music that only the people presumably on Ecstacy enjoyed. (Several rockabilly types made the «I want to shoot myself in the head ove this music» sign.) I did not think it was that bad, This was where the beer deal was honored, so they were there out of necessity to get drunk.
I tried to order a martini from the extensive martini menu. First my friends made fun of me, they with the green wristbands entitling them to cheap beer. Shoulda expected that! However, I never expected the bartender to act as if I were offending him by ordering a martini. He «didn’t have» any of the ingredients. He acted as if I were asking him to save the world, not make a simple drink. Finally, I was humbled into ordering a Pabst Blue Ribbon can of beer ($ 2). I threw him a dollar, because I tip, as all decent people should.
My friend brought up his bad attitude later. I learned he was the owner of the place. WTF? If you don’t want to make martinis, don’t put out a menu specifically for them. I figured he was another grunt who hated his job, not a business owner who should take pride in his place and accomodate the cusomer. Obviously he does not, judging by the slap dash delapidated bar he owns and the huge stink he makes when a lady orders something other than piss beer. Excuuuuse me.
We spent most of or time outside, avoiding the trance dance e-​tard music in back, the drugged out slackers playing pool, and even the stage where a band tried to play the likes of Johnny Cash.
All in all, though I prefer dive bars, ths is not one in which I felt welcomed or taken care of. If not for my buddy, I would not have been there. Unless a buddy needs me, I will not make a point to return. Obviously, customers who want anything other than a shot and a cheap beer are asking too much. SOOOO sorrry!

come here if you like tweakers, your waitress disappearing, all the kegs out of beer, food that doesnt show for an hour, dirty disgusting places. we walked out…
p. s. used to come here back in the day before the remodel once a week it is a dirty shame that this place has turned into such a
. hole.

Great food great people need I say more? oh ya cheap beer! Do it now lol! $ 2 Newcastle & PBR’s new pizza kicks ass! Recently remodeled and expanded pool selection! Oh also outdoor dining! Hard to find in Reno!

I came to Reno for my bf’s bday. Since I figured all dive bars are the same no matter what state, I had low expectations. Fortunately, I was wrong.
They had $ 8 beer pitchers of Newcastle and the $ 10 burger and fries were delicious. It was a huge meal too. I only ate half of it. The pool table side of the joint is pretty chill too. The owner is this really cool guy who gave my bf a free shot of malibu and absolut. He also gave us a discount to use the pool table since there was a lot of us.
It’s a pretty dark and dingy place but we stayed there for 2 ½ hours. People came in so it didn’t stay empty for long.
I suggest for anyone to ust try this place out. The next time I go to Reno, I’ll probably go back. Especially for that mushroom burger!

Awesome burgers! My boyfriend and I decided to check out this little dive after hearing they had some pretty decent burgers. We got there on a Saturday night around 9pm and it was basically empty. We sat down at the bar, ordered a couple beers, and asked to see the menu. As far as bar food goes, this place is pretty awesome! We both had burgers — they were huge, cooked perfectly medium rare, and served on awesome buns. The fries were great! Onion rings were good but pretty greasy. My boyfriend had the Calico? — it was the one with russian dressing and peanut butter. He loved it! The burgers were so big we both had leftovers. Definitely a great place to grab a beer, burger, and billiards.

Down hill they Go!. .. This use to be a place where you can actually play a good game of pool on decent tables. Now I find crack heads and 10 cent beers, way to go you guys your doing great!