No beer at the cue ball. It's a lot like the line in the movie the hustler.."no bar, no bowling alley, just pool. this is ames, mister." There is a juke in the back room, but usually the music is a classic rock station played at a low level. Pop and snacks vending machines, but that's it.
I don't play the game, but I think the opening shot has to be the white as the cue ball, but after that, any color ball can be used as your cue ball. 3 cushions or more.
Not sure on your last question, but it makes sense to me that the cue ball would be the best choice to go the three, because the shooter can control the speed better.
I really enjoyed the story of Leonard beating the hustler. He's always been nice to Cindy & I, gives us playing tips...We enjoy chatting with him.
There's an old Donald Duck video explaining one of the aiming systems used in 3 cushion...used in school math classes back when instruction was more important than indoctrination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUoUZ2Wyt6g