Pool Tables, Jukeboxes Illegal In Some West Hartford Businesses

WEST HARTFORD, CT — No, West Hartford is not like the town from 1984's "Footloose."

Dancing is allowed.

But if Kevin Bacon wanted to dance to the sound of a jukebox in a restaurant in West Hartford, he'd be breaking the law, or, rather, the restaurant would be doing so.

And while on the topic of 1980s movies, Paul Newman and Tom Cruise can't shoot stick like they did in 1986's "The Color of Money" remake. Pool tables are banned in West Hartford restaurants, too.

But the West Hartford Town Council wants to change that and become "jukebox heroes" to the local business community.

On Tuesday, March 25, the West Hartford Town Council unanimously took steps to alleviate local regulation loopholes banning those items from most establishments in town.

Without discussion, the council voted to receive a new ordinance to legalize both juke boxes and pool tables in all businesses.

In doing so, the council put the item up for a public hearing slated for Tuesday, May 13, at 7:15 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall.

There, Kevin Bacon, Tom Cruise, and Paul Newman (if their characters were real) would be able to offer input to the council on the proposal.

Following the hearing, the council will likely decide on the ordinance.

If the council says "yes" to an "Ordinance Concerning Amusement Devices," council members would permit juke boxes and pool tables in any business establishment, especially restaurants.

Currently, both are allowed in establishments permitted under rules governing "indoor recreation or amusement facilities."

Restaurants, from time to time, have requested such devices in their establishments, only to be told they're not allowed.

According to the ordinance, juke boxes are a benefit because they "can encourage social interaction among patrons."

As for pool tables (and juke boxes), the ordinance states that items "such as pool tables and jukeboxes can facilitate economic activity for business establishments."

To see the new "Ordinance Concerning Amusement Devices" and the revised regulations, click on this link.