Entertainment at home

Yo. Just wondering what kind of entertainment things people have at home. Obviously the most common thing is going to be a TV and a home theatre setup, but what else do people have?

I don't have a TV at all and don't intend to get one either, so I am looking at other options... Something more unique. I recently bought an apartment in town/moved out of home. I now have a two car garage, and no car. At the moment it's about 25% full of random stuff I haven't needed/wanted to sort out yet.

So here are some of my options, which would you choose? I think the cost of all these is probably pretty similar (under 2K for something good quality) if I want something decent, air hockey is probably a bit cheaper.

1. Foosball. Pros: Good reason to have more people around. Less common in Australia so more of a novelty. Takes up the least space. Cons: Less enjoyable with two people.

2. Billiards/Pool table. Pros: Most people know how to play some game on it. Can play with pretty much any number of players. Lots of game variations. Cons: Cloth is prone to damage from newbs, risk of it getting dirty is high. Overall highest maintenance option (cues, chalk, etc...). I have a pub with a table literally next door. Takes up the most space for a full size table.

3. Air Hockey. Pros: Probably a bit cheaper. Easy to get into for newbs. Easiest to maintain. Cons: 2 players only. Less interesting/fun overall after a while.

Table Tennis all the way

my sis has one of those air hockey/pool tables.  just turn it over when you want to play the other... its pretty handy!

Hell yeah.

Greatest game ever. Moved the furniture out of the lounge last week and brought the table in. So much fun when you're off tap.

IMO out of those 3, pool has the most longevity, variety of games and is the best for group play (some great games can be played, the one with the numbered balls is fun - (I don't remember the name) and Killer is awesome group fun with the added bonus of a pot at the end to keep it interesting), even though you did say there was one close by, having one right there is great for when you want to keep the action in your house for parties and casual gatherings.

As for the dirty factor, obviously keep it covered when not in use and you'll be fine and as far as damages go, surely your friends/their friends are mature enough not to do stupid shit around a table like drinks on the edge/ripping felt...

Foosball is ok but I reckon it doesn't hold attention for long - it's pretty much a 1-2 dimensional type of game really - same with air hockey. If you're looking for novelty value though, those 2 rate higher than the pool table.

Oh, I forgot to add.

Darts FTW!!!!!

Been cranking the world dart championships of Foxtel. Best drinking sport ever.

Good call. Pretty cheap too.

There's some awesome group games for darts. At a mate's place we had a whiteboard set up with running totals, most bullseyes, high scores etc. so everytime you came round regardless of durations of absences you could get back into the swing of things.

Yep dart boardz the shizz!

Foosball rocks if you play it properly, are good at it, and, most importantly, have a league grade table. Have had epic battles that last for aaaages.

I much prefer 1 on 1 than team games, unless you are all good at it, otherwise the comps are great fun.


Billiard table wins though, hands down.

Yeah hadn't thought about the table tennis option actually. I played that in a club for a long time and had a great time, but since then it's less attractive to me because unless the players are fairly well matched in terms of skill it can get pretty boring as well.

My parents have a dart board which is no longer in use, and that can obviously be in use alongside whatever other option. I'll go and 'acquire' that now that it's been suggested! Glock I like the idea of the whiteboard with scores etc...

I guess with a pool table I can act like a real tyrant when new players come to visit and ensure that drinks are kept away from the table, they aren't going to do anything stupid which would risk ripping the felt, and most importantly: they don't run their dirty hands along the edges of the table! So many people do this and it makes the edges get so grotty! I hate it. Go into any pub and you'll see how bad it is even if the rest of the table is in good condition!

Was leaning towards the billiard table option, the huge variation of games and the fact that you can play different games with basically any number of players is a big plus. A quick look at this site tells me I might need to spend a fair bit more if I want a proper table though.  Might need to reconsider... Don't think I can justify $3500+ at the moment.

Fluke, definitely agree with your opinion on foosball. The thing is that most people here have rarely played it so they can't get into it properly. I lived in one town in Hungary for 6 months and the regular pub had a table, after getting into it you can have such awesome games. It's way more common in Europe than it is here, I reckon half of the standard town pubs had a table, and often it was free to play.

http://www.tmsoft.com/article-arcade.htm

imo

Foosball is soooo over rated! Obviously I cant play and thus don't derive any enjoyment from the game.

Didn't you say you have a pool table next door which you and your friends can quite happily run your dirty hands down the side?  I'm all for the pool table but if you have one that close(especially if they serve beer there) then TT has to win out.

As for white board, don't you think a black board is more traditional? and just as easy?

id get a black board over a white board. so many white boards here at work get stained and fools write on them with permanent texta... black boards are much easier to clean and look after...

And your pad doesn't smell like texta and if ya drop chalk on ya pool table you only need to dust it off!

Haha khem I'd love one of those arcade things, but I really can't be bothered putting something like that together.


Well if you can't play then that annuls your opinion about it!


Yes there's a pool table at the pub.

Yes a blackboard would be more traditional, I'd get one of those instead of a whiteboard.

  decisions!

You could just lay down a twister mat if your on a budget?
Or if your really tight just paint circles on the ground

I think I can do a bit better than that.

no tv you serious?
do you at least have some sort of screen in front of a couch connected to a PC?

Not really missing much without the tube!  Oh no might miss the new version of Hells Kitchen!  teevee is so overrated. A laptop that will play tunes and watch flicks and I'm content!
A teevee that could handle having shit thrown at it is more my cup of tea.

Yes of course I'm serious. I have a computer (with a 30" screen). I can catch up on ABC shows using iview, and even then all I watch is 'At The Movies', The Chaser, and sometimes 4 corners or other documentaries/current affairs type programs. Otherwise I just download whatever I want to watch. It's in my office, not near the lounge.

The lounge is for socialising and isn't based around a TV which (considering the 99% of content on TV here) is bad for your mental health.

ah ok, I was thinking for more when you have company. ie say you pick up one night and bring a chick back to yours at 2am, sitting on a couch in front of a screen is normally a good way to get close and start fooling around before moving to the bedroom. i hope you at least have a stereo in there!

You're one of the guys who received one of those old CRTs at some stage ages ago el_patto? I can't even remember.

I think there's still another 17" one sitting in the garage at my parents place. If I was more DIY/craft minded I'd love to put together some arcade type thing.

Roughly 2K ? Needs to be something that everyone can participate in ? Can't be boring, running costs etc ?Talk about setting yourself some intense standards. um, Pick a room ( or the garage) and line it with carpet liner, then plastic and then fill the floor with a tonne or so of sand, rock yourself an indoor beach Totem tennis ? (remember that shit ? ) You do seem to be worried about people getting things dirty. So, why not spend the cash on an organic garden out teh backyard, you choose the cats who will help you maintain it. Everyone gets dirty and it's all good, plus the benefits of your exercise, hard work and that, will yield something in return (food!). Anyway, whatever you choose, maybe consider it in the sense of ( what will i and others get in return, over the long term, if i buy this ? ). And, can this be done when someone is holding a drink in their hand (totem tennis, table tennis, darts, lazing about in an indoor beach, no shoes a must ! )

As whack as the indoor beach is. I think its a fantastic idea. A little impracticle but what a hoot. Feel like a game of beach volley ball in my garage! 
Indoor cricket/golf net?
We once had a trampoline in the lounge room and it was fucking awesome!

I just said 2K first because the first three options after a very brief look around the three options I mentioned would be around that price range. I didn't really say it was a budget or that the cash is in my pockets and needs to be spent ASAP.

And yes, I have high standards. I'm definitely not putting sand in my garage... I lived near the beach for 24 years of my life and the mess associated with sand in an apartment really isn't worth it. Melvin how the hell can you play beach volleyball inside? Or do you have a 19th century place with super high ceilings? Same goes for a trampoline...

I think you missed the part of my post where I said "bought an apartment in town". I don't have a garden.

I'm going to go check this place out I think: http://www.gamesroomworld.com.au/index.php?main_page=index

ooh ooh ooh

why dont you fill the garage about 4 foot deep with multicoloured balls so you can have your own personal ball crawl?

vegetable pot plants then, yah pot plant
nah, fair enough, I'm sure something will come along that will appeal to you. Buy Australian made if you can. I reckon a half court, for basketball etc, would be cool. How 'bout a trout farm or an Aquaponics farm ( fish crap, crap gets filtered, crap used for nutrients to grow food, fish can also be eaten too ) ?

and melvin, you must have had an open roof house to even consider a trampoline, just like in that TVfilm, Big

ball crawl... pfft let's just go all out and build Oli a model train village in his garage

Not anymore
Used to live in the Barossa in a renovated big ol farm house with really high ceilings! Tramp was actually at the low point of the roof and had plenty of room to jump. Used to be able to play footy in the lounge room, Taking huge leaps off the back of the lounge!  Was fucking Awesome!

ooh ooh ooh *raises hand in the air*
how about a roller disco

UNO nights FTW!!!

 

Skipbo far better!

wtf is that?

I just gave Games Room World a call, going to head down there on Saturday...

The pool table option would be cool but the price (at least $3500 for a 9 foot table) is not so nice. Having the pool table next door in the pub really makes me think it's not worth it. Doesn't cost much to play there and at least I don't need to be an asshole to anyone I'm playing with cause it's not my table they'd damage if they are stupid.

I'm leaning towards this at the moment: 5 FOOT JUMBO SOCCER TABLE


You can come over and play Uno anytime. BYO cards though.

I don't own a deck, but my mate Simon does... He can read your tarot cards too.

Jacuzzi

Wait, you've got a pub next door and you want to organise a games room?

Probably cost way more and need strata approval for plumbing shit...


Yeah, what's wrong with that? Pub costs more, isn't always open (Brunswick is a very quiet pub), only has billiards, etc...

skip bo was another card game around the same time as UNO.

mkay.

nothing risque

you should hire out ur garage as a parking space oli, you'd make heaps!

I think you should set up a life size Mouse Trap board game

Nah, turn it into a pool room + mini bar in the corner!

Life-sized mouse trap sounds cool though. 

I'm in a corner of the city where that isn't really worthwhile, and then I couldn't use it for my own junk at all.

I will go check out these table soccer options on the weekend then report back.

i believe they call that "doin a Fitzl"

Oooo... That would be fucking handy. I'm definately having a games/bar area when I own my own home.

There ya go it has a functional use as well! Lets see an air hockey table do that!

Chasing the bitch imo. Cards are an endless supply of fun.

One thing another friend has brought up is that table soccer isn't as popular amongst the ladies. What do girls here think?




*waits for accusations of sexism because this factor shouldn't even come into it or some other random argument*

table soccer is good fun

Fair enough though. I don't really like things I'm shit at either

Can't wait for a response to that Quazza.

Like dressing appropriately for your age?

Quazza is probably just upset cause the girls beat him at pool all the time...

??

Fluke I didn't ask what you think...

Those projects are so awesome. One day I will make my own MAME machine definitely! It needs the 4 player joystick panel though IMO for NBA Jam/Ninja Turtles/Simpsons and other Midway classics.

PS. you definitely need a bar...maybe even setup home brew action and rig up a fridge keg...

    

maybe I am Kurko, thats exactly what I was thinking when oli asked about what the ladies want!


Oli are you really gonna go get or not get a 5 ft football game just cause the ladies love/don't love it?

Fridge + 2 racing car tires with a glass top is good enough.


Melvin, no I'm not. I'm just asking opinions. Doesn't matter what I get there's always going to be some who love it and don't.

enjoy high waisted pants in 5-10 years

Why wait? Enjoying them now.

we have one and i cant even remember playing it ever. just not a game that appeals to me.


lol

if i had that space i would be going to cashies and scouting the trading post to set myself up a home gym.

or just a general games room with a comfy couch, a table with green felt for cards, bar fridge and even a makeshift bar.

oli, you are the first person i have heard of/come across who doesn't have a tv.

Not a fan of any gym type things, primarily because I'm lazy but also because if I want to do something physical I'd rather do something outdoors like riding my bike. Whatever I end up getting there will of course also be a couch/seats and other general recreational bits of furniture though...


Does that make me special in your eyes?

It does surprise a few people when they discover I have no TV. But basically everyone who watches TV admits that most content is absolute rubbish. Most people even actively whinge/complain about it on a regular basis. I really don't think that I am missing out on much at all, especially because if I want I can go and download/stream basically anything I want like the shows I mentioned earlier.

If I watched more movies then it might be a loss but the few movies I do watch I can just watch on my computer screen. I only ever watch them alone anyway.

Besides, unlike most Aussie lounge rooms, I prefer mine to be there for socialising and not centred around a screen...

phew.

So what are you leaning towards so far?

Internet.




Yeah, I am that AWESOME.

First it was table soccer, then pool after comments about game variation/longevity with table soccer was brought up, then back to table soccer when I saw pool table prices, and now back to pool because of comments made here and other discussions I've had.

I think I have room for both if I really want to get whatever I don't get now later...

meth lab?

Nah I'll stick to earning my money legitimately I think...

I would be over to visit all the time.

I love pool, darts & table tennis but it would be the meth lab that makes me your new best friend.

i'm quite shocked you hadn't already suggested it

Lauren you are a genius!

Legal suggestions only kthx.

Ball crawl

Well I'm set on a pool table now. Went down to Games Room World at Lonsdale today. I think I'll get an 8x4 foot table, which is a bit bigger than the usual pub tables.

This is the model I'm looking at, but I want it in a mahogany finish, with normal pockets (not those weird track things) and with a lighter green coloured cloth.

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On the way back I saw my Nana who has an 8x4 foot table. She's got plenty of room around the table, and I just assumed that I'd have a bit less. Wrong! I'll have more room around the table in my garage than what I am used to having when playing there. Also went and saw my uncle who has a 9x4"6' table. Turns out he got a lamp with his table which he never used... So I scored this lamp as well (note dart board in background has also been 'rescued' from my parents place)

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That lamp will have two lights under it and should look pretty good!

Also dark wooden (close to the mahogany table I want) bar ledge thing which I can attack to the wall.

Went past Discount City Carpets on Anzac Highway as well... I'm going to get a Lino floor covering rather than putting the table on the concrete.

Will post updates with photos as I progress. 

 Sweet pool night at Oli's soon.

 

Gotta be pretty awesome to be invited around here...

To make up for my non-awesomeness.

Plan: (play area is the general amount of room needed around a table to play)

Will remove/cut out the carpet area.

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i figured the only prerequisite was that you must have a vagina?

something about your last 5000 posts tell me you'd love to have say, Sal and Lauren around not watching a TV, rather than Spanks and me.....

Nah, there are a few people on here without vaginas who I'd have a game of pool with when I get it all setup. You're not one of them though.

Oliver, were you going to set up a small bar area too?

Well I don't know whether you'd call what I got a 'bar', it's a ledge that goes along the wall exactly like what you'd see in a pub (it originally came from The Wakefield here in Adelaide actuall). I am not going to have a "walk behind" bar. I know some people who have them and they barely get used the way they're intended (with a person behind them that is).

I've got 2 Michelin racing tires (really wide tires/no tread) from a guy's Porsche which he raced for fun. They've barely been used so I'm going to stack them on top of one another and put a glass top on them for a table thing.

I can get three of these for free when I'm ready:

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I would love to come over and play. I've been hailed by many as a natural.

while I agree that its not often you use a home bar as some one pouring drinks for you. I find a bar is a convenient place to sit, chat, Have drinks (particularly shots), rack and snort and a good place to just put a drink.

lol. also a good height to set decks up on.

hell yeah!

True - also it's handy having the shelving and storage etc. behind the bar to store glasses, spirits, etc.

I'd rather have storage around the walls spread out rather than sticking out in one spot the way a bar does. For the types of stuff I need to store a bar isn't really appropriate/useful.

No matter the context it's used in, this statement is always wrong.

If anyone is that desperate for the bar they can go to the Brunswick, Gilbert or Elephant and Castle. All within 500 metres...

Can't rack up on or snort off their bars though.

You're obviously not trying hard enough.

You can't possibly be questioning my commitment to the racking & snorting lifestyle.

Not at all.

I'd have hoped my contributions to this forum would have made it clear I am not the type of person to have a 'racking & snorting lifestyle'.

Maybe you should consider it.

Well fuck the pool table! Spend your hard earned cash on an 8 ball of charlie! this could be a life changing moment!

agreed

the 8ball will get more willing women back to your place over the game of 8ball

Don't listen to them, Oliver.

Women want more in a man than to snort lines of their weak coke and get awkwardly groped for a few minutes.

I don't care, I want to play pool damnit!

 


 
haha 8ball = more than just a few awkward gropes.
He should get mirrors fixed on the ceilings too. You will definately want that after the 8ball with the laydees

Nothing beats some rope, handcuffs and weekly trips to the local primary school.

Would probably need to spend some money sound proofing your garage as well.

ha ha ha
Oli's scout hall is becoming a drug den or peddo cafe!!
gee were a moral bunch

Sound proofing can be expensive. A quick snipping of the vocal chords should suffice.

I hail thy the 'new' Patrick Bateman.

Making progress...

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so after all that discussion about what best to put in the space you decided to just hang a lamp shade there!    

Although I think you're gonna need a bit of panda round that puppy! 

where's the 8ball?

Sold out, apparently some people from up in the Barossa are killing stock levels in Adelaide.

I still have to put the mount the cue rack, darts board and bar, then get some stools and a music setup of some sort.

The table is ready now though:



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looks pretty sweet

sounds like an invite for the am crowd to test her out 

Looks cool. IMO no garage setup is complete without a ghetto egg carton sound deadener wall covering the garage door See to it that its your next addition 

You're all too intimidating.


Haha. Do you want to collect the cartons and stick them up?

Looks rad!

Funnily enough I had a huge collection of egg cartons from when we used to have band practice in the garage back in my high school days. A few years ago mum decided to give em all to her friend that keeps chickens. I was so proud of that collection...

Don't leave the balls in the pockets like that! Over time it will ruin the netting!

yep, rack that shit up!

See the cue rack in the far corner? That has trays for the balls. They'll be kept in there, not in the pockets.