Our History
From 12 tables in 1978 to the room everyone knows on Peach Street. Over 45 years of pool, competition, and community.
45+ Years on Peach Street
Gold Crown Billiards opened on December 2, 1978, with a simple vision: bring professional-grade pool tables to Erie, Pennsylvania. The name says it all — every regulation table in the house is a genuine Gold Crown, the same tables used in professional tournaments worldwide.
Over the decades, Gold Crown has hosted legendary players, built a thriving league scene, and become the anchor of a full entertainment complex alongside Andy's Pub and the Bullfrog Bar. Through it all, the commitment to the game has never changed: tight pockets, level surfaces, fresh felt, and a place where players of every level feel welcome.
Today, Gold Crown Billiards is more than a pool hall. It's where Erie's billiards community comes together — for league nights, tournaments, casual games, and the kind of competition that keeps you coming back.
Our Journey
1978
Gold Crown Opens
December 2, 1978 — Gold Crown Billiards opens at 3866 Peach Street with 12 nine-foot Gold Crown tables. From day one, the goal was to bring professional-grade billiards to Erie.
1981
Irving Crane Exhibition
Legendary player Irving Crane — a World Champion and Billiard Congress of America Hall of Famer — visits Gold Crown and plays an exhibition match.
1982
Danny DiLiberto Visits
Danny DiLiberto, known as 'Danny D' and one of the top players of the era, visits and plays at Gold Crown. Part of a wave of famous road players passing through Erie — Earl Strickland, Bob Ogborn, Marvin Henderson, Bugs Rucker, and more.
1985
Andy's Pub Opens Next Door
After three tough years, Andy's Ale House & Grill opens in the adjacent space — named after its first food service manager, Andrew DiVecchio. Drew's recipes are still used today. Pool, food, beer, and liquor combined to make a natural entertainment destination.
1986
First Tri-State Open
Gold Crown hosts its inaugural Tri-State Open Nine-Ball tournament, won by Howard Vickery of Columbus, OH. The event draws around eighty players and is a huge success.
1987
Second Tri-State Open
Pat Howie of Rochester, NY wins the second Tri-State Open. The tournament establishes Gold Crown as a regional destination for competitive pool.
1998
Major Renovation
Andy's and Gold Crown each double in square footage to a total of 10,000 sq ft. Gold Crown goes multi-level: a sunken room, balcony, bar area, open main room with high ceilings, and a front room — 24 tables total.
2008
Bullfrog Bar & Full Expansion
The business purchases the rest of Colonial Plaza. Bullfrog Bar is built upstairs as a dedicated live music venue with a 23-foot projection screen, creating the entertainment complex that exists today.
2010
Tri-State Open Goes Quarterly
The Tri-State Open becomes a quarterly series — Winter, Summer, and Fall events for non-major winners, Spring open to professionals. Drawing players from PA, OH, and NY four times a year.
Today
Still Breaking Racks
12+ regulation Gold Crown tables, active BCA leagues, weekly tournaments, and the Tri-State Open four times a year. Still the room on Peach Street after 45+ years.
17
Regulation Tables
45+
Years in Business
1978
Established