Illinois has long been home to some of the most famous – or infamous, depending on one’s point of view – pool halls in the country.
The 1961 film classic The Hustler, starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason, was directly inspired by the hustling scene at Bensinger’s Pool Hall in Chicago. But pool, known otherwise by its more gentlemanly name, billiards, has suffered a steep decline in participation, and places to play, since its mid-20th century salad days.
Digital competition for the gaming dollar, no-smoking laws, real estate costs, difficulties in maintaining quality of felt tables where drink and food stains are common – it all has contributed to pool’s decline.
But one place in Springfield has always been a reliable haven for pool lovers – Mowie’s Cue. While there aren’t as many tables to play as in its past, there are still two high-quality Diamond brand tables just off to the right upon entering. Most every night, the tables are in use, with other players waiting for their turn.
There is still something about the sound of a fresh break from a speedy, on-target cue ball that livens up a joint, and when the pool games start happening is when Mowie’s really comes alive. Today, there are also mechanical dart boards, a slots room, a juke box and a couple of pinball machines, including a vintage, very cool Bobby Orr-as-a-Blackhawk machine called “Power Play.”
There is nothing fancy about a night at Mowie’s Cue. The big, long bar has a great old-school divey feel to it still, and the pizzas from the back of the kitchen have enough cheese and grease to properly sop however many pints of draft brew have been consumed to that point.
This article appears in October 29-November 4, 2026.
