More Than Just Your Average Neighborhood Pool Hall

There are few places in Annandale that combine affordable food and easy, fun entertainment with the same kind of welcoming service as the Cue Club Café. Located in the Annandale Shopping Center right next door to Beanetics, the Cue Club serves as both a pool hall, resturant, and neighborhood watering hole. The family-owned business was established in 1998 after owner Sunny Kim left her job in the corporate world to start her own business. She and her son John Kim relocated Cue Club to its current location at 7014 Columbia Pike back in 2005.

"When [John and I] came to Annandale we saw that there were many Korean people.  John thought about the majority of the residents and said, '70% of the residents are American and 30% are foreign; I want the place to be American, a place where everyone can go,'" said Kim.

The club was not always the hub of live entertainment, happy hour drink specials, and dinner destination that it is today. "It was strictly a pool hall and bar. We wanted to enhance it and focus on the atmosphere and customer service, treating people well," said John, who manages the business. "We wanted a neighborhood sports bar; most of what you see was already here.  What has changed is the atmosphere."

At Cue Club, visitors can play pool, shoot darts, or just hang out with friends while dining or sharing a drink at the bar. The club has large TV's where customers can watch any sports game of their choosing and there is also a jukebox that offers a variety of music of various genres. It's a place where everyone is welcome.  The dress code is whatever one fancies.

"We want people to come in, relax, have fun and feel at home in a place where everyone knows your name," John said.

Cue Club has five bartenders who rotate and are present on varying days. The club also offers American and Americanized "John Kim approved" Korean food. Phone orders and take out are options for anyone who's craving some signature Cue Club dishes. The Kims say they will soon offer delivery service to its customers.

One of the most popular Korean dishes is Bul-Go-Gi, marinated steak which may be served as a platter with rice or as a sub. Another popular dish is Bi-Bim-Bop, which is a combination of fresh vegetables, rice and a sweet and spicy pepper paste, but not as spicy as the original Korean version. Other favorite dishes at the club include the philly cheese steak and their burgers.

The Cue Club prides itself on drawing in customers who soon become family. One of the goals of the business is to give members of the Annandale community that sense of family whenever they visit.

"It's comfortable, I've been coming here for about two years.  It's like home; the people are really nice, a bunch of different cultures," said Chris Lavado. "That's what I like about it."

One of the most attractive and popular activities at the club remains to be their pool hall. "It's a great place to come and play pool whether you're a beginner or a high skill level player," said Jim Willard who has been regular at Cue Club for nine years. "We have very active leagues here three times a week and it's fun competition."

Whether it's a pool or dart game you're looking for or a just good meal in a friendly environment surrounded by friends, Cue Club has something to offer everyone.