In the heart of Gdansk, not far from the historic center, there is one of the most recognized billiard clubs - the Green Club. This is a place with traditions, which has been attracting lovers of green cloth for more than two decades. The premises at 69 Hynka Street are distinguished primarily by their professional approach to billiards. Equipped with high-quality billiard tables, the Green Club offers ideal conditions for both amateurs and advanced players. Interestingly, the club has witnessed many tournaments of national rank, and many leading Polish billiard players have passed through its thresholds.

The history of the Green Club dates back to the 1990s, when billiards in Poland was experiencing a renaissance. The club's founders, fascinated by the sport after the fall of communism, decided to create a place that would not only be a point of entertainment, but also a center for the development of the sport in the region. Today, the Green Club is not just a place to play - it is an institution that actively promotes billiards as a sport, organizing regular tournaments for players of different skill levels.

The atmosphere of the Green Club deserves special attention. Unlike noisy pubs, here there is concentration and respect for the game. Subdued lighting, precisely positioned over each table, creates an atmosphere conducive to concentration. The walls are decorated with photos of tournaments and memorabilia related to the history of billiards, which adds authenticity and character to the place. Noteworthy is the collection of old billiard cues, which is a kind of exhibition of the evolution of this equipment over the years.

Slightly different in character is the U7 Center in Gdansk Downtown, which combines billiards with other forms of entertainment. Located at Plac Dominikański 7, in the heart of historic Gdansk, U7 is a true kingdom of entertainment. The history of the place is fascinating - the establishment is located in historic cellars that for centuries served as merchants' warehouses. During the renovation, fragments of medieval walls were discovered here, which have been skillfully incorporated into the modern decor, creating a unique combination of history and the present.

The U7 center is famous for its impressive number of pool tables - as many as 20 professional tables await players here. Interestingly, each table has its own name, referring to the history of Gdansk or famous billiard players. Local legend has it that on the table named 'Neptune' (named after the famous fountain) luck favors beginners, which is why it is often chosen by debutants. U7 is also the venue for regular amateur tournaments, attracting enthusiasts from all over the Tri-City.

It is interesting to note that U7 was one of the first places in Poland to introduce an electronic table reservation system, which in the 1990s was a real revolution in the industry. Today it's a standard, but back then it was a pioneering solution that attracted many new customers to the establishment. The U7 Center is also a place where you can meet local billiard masters who are eager to share their skills with novice players.

Gdynia, although younger than Gdansk, also boasts excellent places for billiard enthusiasts. One of them is the Players Billiard Club, located at 5 Mściwoja St. This club, founded by a former professional billiard player, has always focused on the highest quality of play. The history of this place is inextricably linked to the development of sports billiards in Poland. The club's founder, a participant in international tournaments, decided to create a place that would meet the highest standards and allow the development of young talent.

Players Billiard Club is distinguished primarily by its professional approach to equipment. The billiard tables here are regularly serviced by specialists, and the cloth is replaced more often than in other establishments, which guarantees ideal playing conditions. An interesting fact is that the club has a table on which matches were played during the 2008 Polish Championships - a real rarity for enthusiasts of the history of the sport.

The atmosphere of Players Billiard Club is unique - it's a place where billiards is treated with due respect. The walls are decorated with photos of legendary billiard players and memorabilia from important tournaments. The club organizes regular training sessions for novice players, conducted by experienced instructors, which attracts people who want to develop their skills under the guidance of professionals. It's worth mentioning a local legend associated with the place - it's said that anyone who plays their first game at the Players Billiard Club will have good luck at billiards all year round.

Nearby, at 13 Abrahama Street, is Thirteen Billiards Gdynia - a place of a completely different character, but equally fascinating. The name of the club is not accidental - it refers both to the number of the building and to 'lucky thirteen', which in the world of billiards has a completely different meaning than in common superstition. The history of the place dates back to the early 2000s, when a group of friends, billiard enthusiasts, decided to create a place with soul, combining the atmosphere of a pub with the opportunity to play at a professional level.

Thirteen is distinguished primarily by its intimate atmosphere. Unlike large entertainment centers, here every guest is treated individually. The staff knows the regulars by name and remembers their favorite tables. The club is famous for organizing unusual tournaments, such as 'Blind Billiards', where part of the game takes place with minimal lighting, requiring players to be extremely precise and focused.

An interesting fact associated with Thirteen is the collection of historical billiard cues, which can not only be viewed, but also rented for play. The oldest of them dates back to the 1960s and reportedly belonged to one of the pioneers of billiards in Gdynia. The club also cultivates the tradition of the 'first ball' - every new visitor can leave a signed ball, which goes into a special display case. Some of these balls are more than 15 years old and are a kind of chronicle of the history of the place.

It is worth mentioning the unique tournament 'Billiard Legends of the Tri-City', which is held every year at Thirteen. Veterans of billiards from all over the region take part in it, and some of the participants still remember the times when billiards in Poland was a semi-legal game, played in basements and garages. Their stories about the origins of the sport in communist times are a priceless part of the intangible cultural heritage of the Tri-City.

For those looking for diverse forms of entertainment, the Tri-City offers places that combine billiards with other attractions. An excellent example is MK Bowling Gdansk, located at 82 Grunwaldzka Avenue. This is a place with a fascinating history - it was established in 2003 as the first professional bowling center in the Tri-City, and over time expanded its offer to include billiard tables. An interesting fact is that during the construction of the facility, fragments of the former city fortifications were discovered, which have been secured and are now visible through special glazing in the floor - a real treat for lovers of Gdansk history.

MK Bowling is distinguished by its modern approach to entertainment. The pool tables here are of the latest generation, with an electronic point counting system, a rarity even in professional clubs. It is worth noting the special tables for so-called English billiards (snooker), which are rare in Polish entertainment venues. For lovers of curiosities - in MK Bowling there is a billiard table on which a demonstration match was played during the visit of the legendary snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan to Gdansk in 2010.

MK Bowling's atmosphere is quite different from that of traditional billiard clubs - more entertaining and noisy, but this is what attracts people who treat billiards as one of many forms of leisure activities. An interesting part of the offer is 'Billiard Mondays', when mini-tournaments are organized for amateurs, and the winners receive vouchers for future visits. This is a great opportunity to test your skills in a friendly atmosphere.

Returning to the U7 Center, it is worth mentioning its Gdynia counterpart, which also combines billiards with bowling and other forms of entertainment. Both venues share a similar philosophy, but each has its own unique character. Gdynia's U7 is famous for organizing unusual events, such as the 'Billiard Marathon', during which players compete for 24 hours, with proceeds from the event donated to charity. This initiative, launched in 2012, has already become a tradition and attracts participants from all over Poland.

An interesting aspect of the Tricity pool scene is its connection to the local IT and startup community. Gdansk and Gdynia are important technology centers, and many companies in the industry organize integrations precisely in billiard clubs. This interesting combination of traditional entertainment and modern business has created a specific subculture of 'billiard programmers' who meet at green tables after working hours. Some venues, recognizing this trend, offer special packages for technology companies, combining a game of billiards with a networking space.

When comparing all the venues described, it is worth noting their diversity. Green Club and Players Billiard Club are places for purists who value a professional approach to billiards. Thirteen offers an intimate atmosphere and a sense of community. The U7 Center and MK Bowling, on the other hand, are one-stop entertainment centers where billiards is one of many attractions. Prices at these venues range from economical options at Thirteen (where rates are rather low), to mid-priced options at Green Club and Players Billiard Club, to more expensive offerings at entertainment centers that offer comprehensive service and additional attractions.

Regardless of the venue chosen, the Tri-City billiard scene offers something for everyone - from beginners to advanced enthusiasts. Each of the described venues has its own unique history and character, which means that discovering the billiard face of the Tri-City can be a fascinating adventure. It is worth remembering that billiards is not just a game - it is an element of cultural heritage, which in Gdansk and Gdynia has found its unique expression.