Lincoln has plenty of bars with one or two pool tables. But one with multiple tables?

Well, outside of Madsen’s on North 48th Street, or WC’s downtown, there isn’t one.

Until now.

Drifters Pool Room and Grill opened in August at 32nd Street and Cornhusker Highway with 12 coin-operated tables.

The new, completely remodeled tavern is where the Pit Crew and Monica’s used to be. Before that, it was Sherry’s.

The owners — Gene Flynn, Nils McConnell, Brad Harris and Dan Thompson — are master billiards players. Two of them are certified officials.

“Lincoln has a real need for a bar that can accommodate lots of pool teams,” Flynn said.

So far, the owners have been right on target. The bar hosts leagues Sunday through Thursday evenings, with Wednesdays and Thursdays already full. Drifters also has two dart leagues.

For non-pool players, there are TVs to watch and some pretty good food to eat.

Drifters specializes in typical bar fare, with burgers, sandwiches, steaks, pizza, salads, wraps and appetizers, ranging from $6 to $15.

The menu also features a few signature dishes such as the stroganoff sandwich (meat, tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cheese), Geno’s Combination shot burger (ham, bacon, BBQ and provolone) and strawberry shortcake, the way your mother used to make it.

On my lunch visit earlier this week, my co-worker and I were impressed by the renovation. Gone is the racecar atop the cooler, replaced by a giant propeller, which will be a part of a flying pool table. (Really.)

The spacious L-shaped room is filled with pool tables, electronic dart boards, games and multiple TVs with cable (not satellite) service. The place is extremely clean.

We bypassed the daily special to order from the menu, which features a cool drawing of a drifter by an English artist on it.

I took the bartender’s recommendation and had the reuben sandwich ($6.95) with crinkle cut fries, one of 12 side dishes, including Flynn’s mother’s potato salad.  

“It’s never had a bad review,” Flynn said.

My co-worker ordered the beef Philly with cottage cheese ($6.95).

Both featured chopped rather than layered meat. The reuben was served on thick marble rye with sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing. The Philly had peppers, onions (many) and provolone.

The reuben has been a favorite so far, as have been the burgers and pizza, which is available in 7- and 12-inch sizes, Flynn said.

Of course, the big draw is the pool tables. Flynn said Drifters patterned its leagues, including a handicapped 9-ball Sunday tourney, after the old Suite 9.

“We trying to make it fun for everybody to come out,” he said.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.