MAGIC 8-BALL. Eau Claire Billiards Bar and Grill has been welcoming pool-loving locals and foodies alike since opening at the end of 2024.
Eau Claire has a new billiards epicenter.
Justin Volk and his fiancé Kristina Matthes opened Eau Claire Billiards Bar and Grill, 3020 London Road, at the tail-end of 2024. The pair have a mutual love for the game of billiards – one that runs decades deep – and on Dec. 18, officially opened their own pool hall and restaurant at the former Double Days Sports Bar and Grill location.
“There are so many things about pool that transfer into life,” Volk said. “In pool you learn to deal with pressure and stress, which you can use in any other aspect of life. There is also a spectrum of offense to defense where you have to factor in all of the variables at any given time and move. It’s a game I love and will keep on my playing my whole life.”
The remodeled space features a plentiful amount of pool tables, various other game machines, a full-service restaurant as well as a bar. Their primary attraction is the pool leagues, which run nearly daily, with pool lovers flocking to the location to get their reps in. Volk said he regularly receives feedback that customers planned to come for an hour or two but ended up staying many hours longer than they anticipated.
That’s a wrap.
What sets Eau Claire Billiards Bar and Grill apart from similar businesses – besides the killer food – is the fact that its owners are local pool legends. Volk has been playing pool for decades, with several state and national tournament wins under his belt. He even created his own pool game called “Lifesaver,” which has been picked up in pool halls around the country. And while he still regularly competes, he wants his business to be a welcoming place where pool lovers can come together, learn from each other, and enjoy the game however they’d like.
“I’m a competitor, but I’m a pool player who just loves the pool community,” Volk said. “We’ve had nothing but support from the local community. We’re growing on a grassroots scale pretty steadily, so we’re proud of how things are going.”
Eau Claire Billiards Bar and Grill (3020 London Rd., Eau Claire) is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am-11:30pm • For more information, visit facebook.com/ecbilliardsbar
