America’s “Mr. Shuffleboard” is a Jersey Guy – Meet Union’s Sol Lifkin

Isn’t it interesting how history becomes history?

Take pay phones, for example. When you used them, you never thought about it, and then they’re gone, not just gone… totally gone. Then you see them 20 years later on eBay as relics from the past. Cigarette machines, fax machines, Walkmans – you get the point. We found another one we thought might be lost forever, but it won’t go away without a fight. We bring you the history and current state of the barroom/VFW/Firehouse shuffleboard game, where to play it, and a New Jersey man who became an American legend and earned the title of America’s Mr. Shuffleboard. A Jersey classic!

First – Where Do You Play? Our New Jersey Shuffleboard Locator Map

It’s often difficult to remember which organization or bar has a shuffleboard. Is it a legal length or a short one? Thanks to Mr. Local History, you can now explore an interactive map of places that offer a shuffleboard table. The map has two categories: organizations such as VFWs, American Legion posts, and Elks Lodges. The red icons represent bars with a shuffleboard table. The map is interactive, letting you use the box in the upper right-hand corner to enlarge it, select a location, view information, get directions to your phone, and more.

UPDATE:
We just got word that the iconic Liberty Tavern in Union Township (Union County, NJ) closed its doors for good on October 15, 2026. If you’re looking for an ORIGINAL, and perhaps the oldest, American Shuffleboard table, hurry before the IRS gets it.

See the ENTIRE LIST at the BOTTOM of this post……

If we missed one, or a table is no longer there, please drop a comment at the end of the post. We’ve found that hundreds of fans join to spread a little “grated cheese” and sling a few pucks. And don’t forget: if you have shuffleboard in your establishment, I bet it’s pretty nostalgic.

Table Shuffleboard History

Don’t get us wrong, I LOVE shuffleboard. Leveraging skill and drinking couldn’t be a better sport, in my opinion, surpassing golf. It is a sport, right? Unlike darts, pinball, and that dreaded ring toss game, shuffleboard is on another level, right up there with billiards. Shuffleboard has been a popular game for centuries. It originated in the 1500s in taverns and parlors in Great Britain. The earliest form of the game was called “shove a penny”. Players would slide a large coin, or “great”, down a table. The game was also known as “shovegroat” or “slide-groat”. The English aristocracy liked the game. Some country houses had elaborate, handcrafted boards. For example, the Board at Chartley Hall in Staffordshire was over 30 feet (9 meters) long. 

the 20th century, shuffleboard tournaments were popular. However, we’re sensing a nostalgic renaissance for the game and the establishments that share it.

New Jersey Shuffleboard Roots

By 1897, table shuffleboard took up as much space in metropolitan newspapers in the New York City area as prizefighting and baseball. Highly publicized tournaments featuring colorful characters such as “Big Ed” Morris, Dave Wiley, Alex Scott, Ed Gardland, and George Lavender drew hordes of fans. Fans faithfully followed the players to tournaments in New York City, Newark, Paterson, Hoboken, Jersey City, and Bloomfield, New Jersey, and even to Philadelphia. The fans included essential figures of the business, theatrical, and political worlds. Shuffleboard then spread across the country. Check out the Shuffleboard Hall of Fame.

The American Shuffleboard Company was located at 210 Paterson Plank Rd, Union City, NJ 07087. In 1948, the company opened a new plant in Union Township, New Jersey, 13.5 miles from its original plant in Union City. The company was in its prime during the 1940s through the 1960s.

Union Township’s Sol Lipkin:
The “Father of Table Shuffleboard”

David Lipkin posted on Facebook that his Uncle Sol Lipkin (from Union Twp., New Jersey) was the “Father of Table Shuffleboard” and served as a representative for the American Shuffleboard Company in Union City, New Jersey. 

Many believe Sol set the industry standard for American Boards. American and National made two of the most popular, high-quality shuffleboard tables in Union City and Union Township, Orange, New Jersey, respectively.

Tragedy Strikes Union, New Jersey Plant

Sadly, on January 20, 1950, the American Shuffleboard Company satellite manufacturing plant on what was Route 29 caught fire and burned to the ground. It was never rebuilt and later became Hy-Way Bowl, a Route 22 icon for decades before demolition.

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National Table Shuffleboard Hall of Fame
and MLH’s New Jersey Shuffleboard Hall of Fame Nominees

Established in the 1990s, the National Shuffleboard Hall of Fame, now maintained by the Table Shuffleboard Association (TSA), honors the great players and promoters of American table shuffleboard. Unlike a traditional Hall of Fame, it does not currently operate as a permanent public museum at a single location. Its mission is to recognize excellence and preserve the game’s history.

Established in the 1990s and now maintained by the Table Shuffleboard Association (TSA), the National Shuffleboard Hall of Fame recognizes the outstanding players, promoters, and supporters who helped build American table shuffleboard. Unlike many sports halls of fame, it does not currently operate as a permanent public museum in one location.

Shuffleboard’s National Sol Lipkin Award

There is even an established “Sol Lipkin Award”, created by the National Shuffleboard Hall of Fame. The organization presents this symbol of utmost respect for “extraordinary contributions to the advancement of shuffleboard.” The Hall also recognizes promoters, including New Jersey’s Sol Lipkin, inducted in May 1996 on his 90th birthday. Lipkin, a longtime leader of the American Shuffleboard Company, was the first person inducted specifically as a promoter. Other promoter inductees include George and Donna Wilber, Ron and Debbie Bowers, Bobby Goldsmith, Russ “The Colonel” Miller, Dick Gorman, Jimmy “The Cop” Kumpula, Harvey Kidd, Al Salazar, Jim Martin, and Thomas and Lynda French.

The national shuffleboard hall of fame player inductees are **Bob Miles, California (1994); Mickey Mickens, New Jersey (1995); Earl Kelly, Texas (1995); Leonard “Pee Wee” Ramos, California (1995); Glen Davidson, Oklahoma (1996); Bill Melton, Oklahoma (1997); Jim Foran, Pacific Northwest (1997); Billy Chiles, California (1998); Denny Busch, Nebraska (1998); Galen Gaunce, Oregon (1998); Joe Abraham, Illinois (1998); Rod Cameron, Dayton, Texas (1998); Ray Hartness (1998); Joanie Millar, Canada (1999); Porter White, California (2000); Hal Perry, Sacramento, California (2000); Bill English, Loveland, Colorado (2001); Jean Ayers Mays (2001); Chuck Norris, Oregon/Washington (2002); Darrol Nelson, Oregon (2002); David Williams Sr., Texas (2002); Diana Hagen, Texas (2002); Chris Danke, California (2003); John McDermott (2004); Larry Creakbaum, Indiana (2005); Jim Long, Indiana (2005); Doug Buhl, Oregon (2005); Bobby Williams, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas (2006); Bobby Voorhis, Indiana (2007); Don Valk, Austin, Texas (2008); Fred Thumann, California (2008); Billy Mays, Texas (2009); Tommy Workman, California (2010); Bob Perry, Highlands, Colorado (2011); Don Cox, California (2013); Kelly Cameron, Houston, Texas (2016); Mike Taylor, Texas (2018); Billy Melton, Texas/Oklahoma (2022); Karl Spickelmier, Ohio (2022); Al Salazar, Arizona (2023, Player & Promoter); and Jim Payne (2024).

Linked History Stories

Jersey Bar Shuffleboard – 100 Years and Still Slinging Pucks

There’s a Lot of History in These 100+ Jersey Dive Bars

The Riverside Inn – History of Cranford’s (and New Jersey’s) #1 Dive Bar

Related Sports, Games, and Toys History Posts

More Jersey History with a Social Twist

A Jersey Ship That Never Sailed – Route 22 Flagship in Union

Retrospective: Icons & Oddities Along Jersey’s Route 22

Union Flagship on Route 22 Beautiful Keepsake Honors History

Sandwiches Invented in New Jersey

What Others are Reading Right Now on MLH
Top 10 “Most Popular” Posts

Shuffleboards in New Jersey
Last Updated: 9/28/2026

Town	County	Venue	Source list	Type
Brigantine	Atlantic	Brigantine Elks No 2428	Organization	Elks
Hammonton	Atlantic	Roccos Town House	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Northfield	Atlantic	Atlantic City Country Club	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Somers Point	Atlantic	Charlie’s	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
East Rutherford	Bergen	Redds	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Glen Rock	Bergen	Glen Rock Athletic Club	Organization	Other organization
Hackensack	Bergen	Hilltop Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hackensack	Bergen	The Straphanger Saloon	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Lyndhurst	Bergen	American Legion Lyndhurst	Organization	American Legion
Oakland	Bergen	Elks Lodge Oakland	Organization	Elks
Rutherford	Bergen	Elks Lodge Rutherford	Organization	Elks
Bordentown	Burlington	Bordentown Elks Lodge	Organization	Elks
Bordentown	Burlington	Cool Cricket	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Cinnaminson	Burlington	Whistlers Inn	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Pemberton	Burlington	American Legion Post 294	Organization	American Legion
Pemberton	Burlington	Jamison’s Bar & Grill	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Riverside	Burlington	Riverside Turners	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Riverton	Burlington	The Riverton Country Club Bowling Alley	Organization	Other organization
Berlin	Camden	Racks Pub & Grill	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Berlin	Camden	The Golden Nugget Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Berlin	Camden	Woodbriar Tavern & Grille	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Gloucester Township	Camden	Sam’s Bar & Grille	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Oaklyn	Camden	American Legion Oaklyn	Organization	American Legion
Pennsauken	Camden	Bobby Ray’s Pennsauken Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar / restaurant
Pennsauken	Camden	The Jug Handle Inn	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Pine Hill	Camden	Pine Hill Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Somerdale	Camden	The Warwick Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Villas	Cape May	Villas Fishing Club Inc	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Wildwood	Cape May	Firehouse Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Wildwood	Cape May	Wildwood VFW	Organization	VFW
Deerfield	Cumberland	Deerfield Elks Lodge	Organization	Elks
Bloomfield	Essex	Obal’s Inn	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Bloomfield	Essex	The Old Canal Inn	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
South Orange	Essex	Gaslight Brewery & Restaurant	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
West Orange	Essex	West Orange Elks Lodge	Organization	Elks
Williamstown	Gloucester	Sharky’s Sports Bar & Grill	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hoboken	Hudson	Hoboken Game Lounge	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hoboken	Hudson	Louise & Jerry’s	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hoboken	Hudson	The Ale House	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Jersey City	Hudson	Greene Hook Bar & Kitchen	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Jersey City	Hudson	South House	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Jersey City	Hudson	The Brightside Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Kearny	Hudson	Scots American Club	Organization	Other organization
Asbury	Hunterdon	Ironbound Hard Cider	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Flemington	Hunterdon	Croton Rod & Gun Club	Organization	Other organization
High Bridge	Hunterdon	Mrs Riley’s Publik House	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Milford	Hunterdon	Hootz	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Ewing	Mercer	Firkin Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Trenton	Mercer	McGuinn’s Place	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Carteret	Middlesex	Carteret BPO Elks 2235	Organization	Elks
Edison	Middlesex	Chestnut Inn Inc.	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Edison	Middlesex	Edison Moose Lodge	Organization	Moose
Metuchen	Middlesex	Hailey’s Harp & Pub	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Middlesex	Middlesex	American Legion Middlesex	Organization	American Legion
Old Bridge	Middlesex	Friendly Sons-The Shillelagh	Organization	Other organization
South Amboy	Middlesex	Ancient Order of Hibernians	Organization	Other organization
South River	Middlesex	VFW South River	Organization	VFW
Avon-by-the-Sea	Monmouth	The Columns	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Manasquan	Monmouth	Elks Lodge Manasquan	Organization	Elks
Manasquan	Monmouth	Leggetts Sand Bar	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Rumson	Monmouth	Murphy’s Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Sea Girt	Monmouth	The Parker House	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Boonton	Morris	Johnnies Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Denville	Morris	Billiard Towne	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Dover	Morris	US Army NCO Club	Organization	Other organization
Madison	Morris	Vanderbilt Sports & Spirits	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Morris Plains	Morris	WFW Morris Plains	Organization	VFW
Morristown	Morris	Fraternal Order of Eagles	Organization	Other organization
Morristown	Morris	The Frog Restaurant and Sports Bar	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Parsippany	Morris	Recess	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Riverdale	Morris	Stumble Inn	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Stirling	Morris	Elks Lodge Stirling	Organization	Elks
Wharton	Morris	American Legion – Wharton	Organization	American Legion
Beach Haven	Ocean	Buckalew’s Restaurant & Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Beach Haven	Ocean	Hudson House Bar	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Beach Haven	Ocean	Marlin Restaurant & Bar	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Brick	Ocean	Bricktown Elks Lodge	Organization	Elks
Brick	Ocean	Mantoloking Road Alehouse	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Jackson	Ocean	Columbian Club Jackson	Organization	Other organization
Jackson	Ocean	Jackson NJ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4703	Organization	VFW
Lacey	Ocean	Lacy Moose Lodge	Organization	Moose
Point Pleasant	Ocean	Idle Hour Restaurant & Bar	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Point Pleasant Beach	Ocean	Elks Lodge Point Pleasant Beach	Organization	Elks
Point Pleasant Beach	Ocean	Marlins Cafe	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Point Pleasant Beach	Ocean	The Broadway Bar & Grill	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Seaside Heights	Ocean	Hooks Bar & Grill	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Seaside Park	Ocean	Island Beach Fish Company	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Ship Bottom	Ocean	Joe Pop’s Shore Bar & Restaurant	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Waretown	Ocean	Lighthouse Tavern	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Bloomingdale	Passaic	Flip’s Bar	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Bloomingdale	Passaic	The Side Door Bar & Grill	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Clifton	Passaic	Athenia Veterans Post	Organization	Other organization
Clifton	Passaic	The Clif Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hawthorne	Passaic	Duffy’s Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hawthorne	Passaic	Stone & Rail	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Little Falls	Passaic	Nikko Hibachi Steak House And Lounge	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Little Falls	Passaic	Russian Hall	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Woodland Park	Passaic	Bask Bar & Grill	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Pennsville	Salem	The Corner Bar	South Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Bernardsville	Somerset	Bernardsville Fire Co	Organization	Other organization
Bridgewater	Somerset	Green Knoll Grill	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Warren	Somerset	Brightview Warren	Organization	Other organization
Warren	Somerset	Watchung Hills Elks Lodge 885	Organization	Elks
Hopatcong	Sussex	Alice’s	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Montague	Sussex	SideStreet Bar & Grill	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Sparta	Sussex	Village Saloon	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Cranford	Union	Cranford Elks Lodge #2006	Organization	Elks
Kenilworth	Union	Buffy’s Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Kenilworth	Union	Kenilworth Veterans Center	Organization	Other organization
Rahway	Union	Butch Kowal’s Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Scotch Plains	Union	American Legion Scotch Plains	Organization	American Legion
Summit	Union	Elks Lodge No. 1246 – Summit Elks Lodge	Organization	Elks
Union	Union	Liberty Tavern	North Jersey bar	Bar/restaurant
Hackettstown	Warren	Hackettstown Moose Lodge	Organization	Moose