Queer Poolplayers Association Sinks A Home In The East Village
LGBTQ+ pool players celebrate a fresh chapter with a permanent space to play, strengthening visibility in local nightlife and bar sports.
Featured image: Night of Queer Pool at Sugar Mouse. Photo by Kayley Cassidy.
In the heart of the East Village’s buzzing nightlife scene, at 47 Third Avenue between 11th and 10th Street, look for a blue neon sign that reads “Sugar Mouse.” Check for a rainbow flag decal stuck on the corner of the door. See it? Well, sharpen up your pool cue and step inside. Sugar Mouse, a recently opened bar that hosts a diverse lineup of events, is proud to be the official home of the Queer Poolplayers Association (QPA). This newly founded organization supports LGBTQ+ players through access, visibility, and mentorship in the world of billiards.
If you descend the spiral staircase of Sugar Mouse on the second Thursday or third Saturday of each month, you will find yourself immersed in a queer pool players’ paradise. Bright projection screens along each of the venue’s walls say “QUEER POOLPLAYERS ASSOCIATION” in big, black, bold letters, along with rainbow stars, and the QPA’s signature logo, which consists of rainbow billiard balls and its acronym.
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At the pool tables, a crew of queer folks take turns breaking balls and sinking shots in a friendly eight-ball competition, anticipating a cash prize given away at the end of the night in a raffle. Having a space where queer people can socialize with one another, while also having the opportunity to play eight-ball scrimmages, fosters both community and camaraderie, blending competition with connection in a space where everyone can feel seen, safe, and celebrated. This billiards bash is all hosted by McKenzie Keating, founder of the QPA.
Keating’s commitment to building a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ pool players is what led her to cross paths with Aaron Ho, Founder and CEO of Sugar Mouse, who has warmly welcomed locals since opening the space in July 2024—consistently emphasizing that it’s the people who walk through the doors who truly give the space its heart and character.
“We try to build a community with the locals, and strive to create a safe space for people. We’re all about being inclusive,” Ho told GO. “I met with McKenzie and we clicked. Everything made sense for us, and things started moving pretty quickly thereafter.”
Since teaming up with the QPA, Sugar Mouse has become a lively hub for queer pool enthusiasts, now hosting monthly $15 eight-ball scrimmages every second Thursday and free teen pool classes every third Saturday. QPA members can also enjoy an ongoing perk at Sugar Mouse: 50% off pool play any time they visit outside of scheduled events. The teen classes offer more than just a chance to learn the game—they provide a welcoming, affirming space for LGBTQ+ youth to build confidence, connect with peers, and develop skills in an environment where they can be themselves.
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“There are a lot of venues with pool tables in New York City, but only a few of these are all-ages spaces,” said Keating. “Sugar Mouse is really the ideal home for the Queer Poolplayers Association, because it makes it possible for us to have this monthly builders class for LGBTQIA+ teens. We’re grateful to them for actively supporting the queer community.”
And while the QPA has an official home where they host monthly scrimmages and classes for teens, they also host a billiards-based comedy show called “SHARK BITE” at Fort Hamilton Distillery in Industry City, Brooklyn.
“Looking ahead, we hope the safe space that Sugar Mouse has created will be an inspiration for similar venues throughout the city and country,” said Keating. “Hopefully, that will help cultivate places that are inclusive and create respect among its players, especially for intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, religion, or disability.”
The next QPA eight-ball scrimmage is August 14 from 7:00-10:00 pm. Stay up to date with their events on the QPA or Sugar Mouse Instagram, as well as their websites.
