One Tough Room / revisited

Posted by Stephen Phillips (San Francisco, United States) on 19 August 2008 in Lifestyle & Culture and Portfolio.

Pool Room of the Merchant Bar in Oakland, California. ( August 2008 )

Exactly one week ago - I posted my 2004 black & white image of this bar under the title 'One Tough Room'. On that day - AM3 member 'willow' commented on the image and wrote (in part): "...I can imagine a similar shot of the same place full of customers and in color."

It got me wondering if the bar was still there. So, this past Saturday afternoon - I drove across the Bay Bridge to Oakland's Jack London Square. I am happy to report the bar remains alive. This photo was taken during the visit. So, a tip of the hat and thank you, willow for inspiring this celebration image - my 100th at AM3.

Should you wish to look back at the previous post: http://fogguy.aminus3.com/image/2008-08-12.html

© copyright 2009 by Stephen Phillips Photography / San Francisco / www.joyoflight.com
please respect these rights - do not copy or use these images without permission

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Comments (30)

Zygene from morlaix, France

Une très belle ambiance.

19 Aug 2008 5:29am

Behrooz Sangani from Tehran, Iran

Congrats on your #100, Stephen! Waiting for the #1000.
The perspective and color added lots of energy here.

19 Aug 2008 5:51am

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

great angle! the lighting is fabulous!

19 Aug 2008 6:06am

Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia

Ahhh, the place looks different in colour, what a great capture, I like that there are a couple in the image here and the splash or red adds a different feel to it, well done. Congrats also on your 100th post Stephen, you are an inspiration!

19 Aug 2008 6:08am

@Kylie Greenan: ...and inspiration to one another is what makes the AM3 community such a rich experience. I always look forward to your post from 'down under'.

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

excellent pov here Stephen! it does look different in color, i must say! has a bit more life to it! looks to me like an old abandoned garage that was then turned into a pool hall. a wonderful local bar to be sure -- such history and character! i like how you caught a bit of local color here too... gives us an idea of the 'soul' of the place. marvelous!

19 Aug 2008 6:38am

@dj.tigersprout: The actual bar is on the other side of the wall to the right. A photo of it will follow. This room is in better shape than when I took the original image (which isn't saying much). This was a Saturday afternoon with all of the neighboring produce distributors closed for the weekend. I note the main bar has added a small stage for (I presume) live bands to perform on. Evidence suggests that this place can still get tough, rough and rowdy at night.

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

oops! and big and warm congrats on your 100th pic! bravo Stephen!! :D

19 Aug 2008 6:39am

@dj.tigersprout: ...thanks, DJ

Seb! from Alès, France

J'aime beaucoup l'atmosphère de cette scène très haute en couleur. L'ambiance finale doit beaucoup à l'entrée de la lumière par la fenêtre en arrière plan. Bien vu !

19 Aug 2008 7:36am

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

VERY well done Stephen. Great atmosphere!

19 Aug 2008 7:45am

Margie from Auckland, New Zealand

That's a great story, and how cool that it is still alive! Congrats on your 100th post. I look forward to many more.

19 Aug 2008 7:48am

djedfre from schaumburg, United States

great color - doesn't look quite as dangerous - though you may not want to tell any of the patrons that you tagged it as a 'dive'!

congrats on 100! (comes quick, doesn't it?)

19 Aug 2008 7:48am

@djedfre: On the contrary - I believe most of them would wear the tag 'dive' - as a badge of honor.

hugo poon from hong kong, Hong Kong

This is definitely worth revisiting! You've captured the atmosphere of this place so well... simply wonderful Stephen!:-) Congrats on your 100th pic. Have fun my friend!

19 Aug 2008 9:34am

Betty from New Jersey, United States

It looks very different in color, but still a tough room! Great composition and very well done! Love the story!

19 Aug 2008 9:56am

Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany

What a picture and story to celebrate your 100th picture here at Aminus3. Thanks for bringing us bakc to this place. I guess it was worth the trip...

19 Aug 2008 9:59am

Rui from Leiria, Portugal

Congratulations for your 100th photo, and hope you can continue posting many thousands.
About this one, is great. The colors and light. I agree that the colour versions it's more impressive.

19 Aug 2008 10:43am

Jeff from millerstown, United States

Happy 100th. Definitely adds to the story of the first shot. Those guys don't look so tough!

19 Aug 2008 12:16pm

@Jeff: ...your right. I wonder what the scene would look like at midnight on a Friday night?

Marcie from United States

The 'life' really adds something to the image. Love the colors!!!

19 Aug 2008 12:28pm

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

That gave me shivers....of delight...Happy 100th and thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us :)

19 Aug 2008 1:42pm

Francesc B. from région parisienne, France

Congratulions for the 100th, Stephen... Beautiful atmosphere... I am very happy to see this place in color, and alive and kicking... and a beautiful angle for your shot.

19 Aug 2008 2:13pm

Marie from FRESNES, France

belle atmopshère, et jolies couleurs.

19 Aug 2008 5:03pm

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Great scene you've caught here!

19 Aug 2008 5:03pm

P.J. from United States

First, congrats on your 100th image!

Second, this is awesome. What a setting. Sp much personality in this bar. Seems like one hell of a dive that I'd love to go to!

19 Aug 2008 5:06pm

Arps from Hyderabad, India

Hey Stephen Congrats on your 100th photo...... this place indeed looks so different in color ....nice shot

19 Aug 2008 6:22pm

Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain

It has been a very good idea to go back to this billiards room. The contrast between both images is very interesting. I love the pair and the dialogue between. If I lived in Oackland it's sure I would go often there.
Thanks for the photo, Stephen.

19 Aug 2008 6:54pm

Thomas Griffioen from Bocas del Toro, Panama

Good point of view Stephen and what a lot of things to look at! I can't wait for a crowdy night shot from the stairs in the back! ;-) And cheers on your 100th photo!

19 Aug 2008 7:16pm

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

When I saw your other image Stephen I thought, what a hell hole that must be, full of murderers and gangsters. Looking at this one it's not too bad, it's a bit tatty and worn and nothing fancy, but it ok.

Nice color shot which has the atmosphere, and the ruggedness of the place.

19 Aug 2008 8:03pm