Eau de Nicotine
I wonder what will happen to the true dive bars when DC goes smoke-free in 2007. And will we start talking about nightlife in terms of B.B. and A.B. – before the ban and after the ban?
Seriously, I’m not out to start a resurgence of the whole smokers v. nonsmokers war again. It’s just that I was at Townhouse Tavern for a few hours Saturday night, relaxing with friends, and that bar is a living breathing ash organism. I honestly can’t remember whether anyone was smoking or not – it doesn’t matter, even my pores had a nicotine high.
What will happen to places like Townhouse, with no ventilation system to speak of other than strategically placed fans, the ash of ages clinging desperately to every conceivable surface, a bar so permeated with smoke residue that your very soul is suffused with nicotine upon leaving?
Obviously, nothing much. Townhouse has outside patio seating so smokers can still inhale there after the ban. But I wonder how long it will actually take for the smoky interior to cleanse its carcinogenic fumes, if ever.
Now, I’ve nothing against Townhouse; it’s one of the friendliest bars in town with a kicking jukebox to boot. It just made me think, in the coming era of nonsmoking bars, will dives that still reek become nostalgic? Will the scent mellow into something tolerable, interesting, even (gasp) daringly marketable?
“Mmm… did you smell her perfume? So 2006, B.B.”
Sounds like The Raven. I’ve walked in there when not a single cig was lit and been almost overwhelmed by the smell. It’ll take years before that smell subsides.
Having lived in NYC after the smoking ban, I can say from experience that, although it is still a relief to be without the cigarette smoke, sometimes the actual bar smell is worse than the smell of cigarettes. No joke.
Having lived in NYC after the smoking ban, I can say from experience that, although it is still a relief to be without the cigarette smoke, sometimes the actual bar smell is worse than the smell of cigarettes. No joke.
In Montgomery county, the ban on smoking also extends to outdoor spaces. Patios, whatever, as long as food and/or drink can be served there, it’s not allowed.
that’s because people in Montogomery county are uptight crusaders, hell bent on destroying not only all civil liberties, but any semblance of fun.
No smoking in bars is fine, but tell me I can’t smoke in the applebees (God forbid) outdoor seating area? The one that’s smack dab in the middle of a parking lot where a-holes idle in their SUVs so they can have A/C while the converse on cellphones?
Heh, I just laugh at smokers who try to hide behind “civil liberties”.
Especially in the face of the article in the Post today about nicotine turning into a contact drug due to smoke. I don’t miss my nicotine addiction at all, rather not get it back just due to proximity to smokers.
SAM, it isn’t the smell it is the smoke. They could make cigs that smell like Hot Cocoa and Apple Pie but it will still be just as unhealthy if the other ingredients remain the same.
I lived in Boston after the ban and it was great not having your clothes smell like smoke for days.
What? People are worried about the smoke? Are cigarettes dangerous? What are you talking about?
Duh – no sh*t Sherlock. Mo, I KNOW it’s the smoke not the smell. I was merely pointing out that it’s surprising how bad bars actually smell on their own, without the cigarette smoke.
As another person who lived in Boston post-ban, I got a kick out of how much longer out dart matches lasted whilst half the team were freezing their nuts off in the snow desperate for a quick puff. The bars (especially the Swillo) smelt disgusting even without the smoke, but it was a relief to not smell like a walking, exhaling fag after leaving the bar.
There should be a special exception for dive bars (as there is for cigar and hookah bars). I fear that places like Townhouse and the Raven will go out of business.