Dc Gay Bars Feeling Impact Mandatory Smoking Ban

[vraiblonde]

"WASHINGTON BLADE SURVEY REVEALS
STEEP DROP IN REVENUE FOR SOME,
WHILE OTHERS RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS NEW LAW"

"VENUE TO SEEK HARDSHIP WAIVER FROM SMOKING BAN"


-- Washington Blade, Top News Story,
Page One, Local News,
Friday, May 11, 2007 _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

"WASHINGTON BLADE -- Five of the nine D.C. gay bars,
restaurants and nightclubs responding to an informal
Washington Blade survey said they have experienced
a decline in revenue and customers as a result of the
city's new smoking ban, which took effect Jan. 2. . . .

"'The word out among insiders in the nightlife and
hospitality industry across the city is almost everyone
has had a drop in business because of this,'
[Washington gay nightlife advocate Mark] Lee said.
'For PR reasons and for competitive, proprietary
reasons, most establishments don't want to talk about
this publicly.'

"Earlier this month, the Restaurant Association of
Metropolitan Washington, which represents restaurants
and bars, released the findings of its own survey, which
showed more than 35 percent of those responding
reported a decline in revenue since the smoking ban
took effect. Its survey wasn't limited to gay
establishments. . . .

"'My accountant's eyes jumped wide open when he saw
the numbers,' [D.C. Eagle owner Bill] Capello said. 'I had
to cut payroll and cut back on the hours of work for the
staff.' . . .

"Joey Oldaker, general manager of the Dupont Circle
establishments Apex nightclub and Omega bar, both
owned by gay businessman Glen Thompson, said the
two clubs each suffered a decline in patrons and
revenue but not enough to make the clubs eligible for
a waiver [requiring a loss of 15% of total gross revenue
under Mayor Adrian Fenty's proposed regulations].

"'We raised prices slightly to make up for some of the
lost revenue,' Oldaker said.

"'Our biggest concern is the people who go outside to
smoke. We're nearly surrounded by condos and the
noise created by the people outside smoking could
create problems.' . . . "

 

[rack'm]

No wonder Slotted moved to Miami

 

[Magnum]

I would say maybe there are less Gay people or they found something else to do Mad because they can't smoke them poles in the bars

 

[vraiblonde]

The point of this article, my dears, is that DC bars (not just the gay ones) are experiencing reduced revenues because of the smoking ban. This is contrary to what the smoke nazis are insisting.

Since the Blade tends to lean liberal (a gay paper...liberal...if you can imagine...) and lean Democrat (who tend to be the ones lobbying for smoking bans in the first place), it's rather profound that they would admit these bans are bad for business.

 

[rack'm]

The point of this article, my dears, is that DC bars (not just the gay ones) are experiencing reduced revenues because of the smoking ban. This is contrary to what the smoke nazis are insisting.

Since the Blade tends to lean liberal (a gay paper...liberal...if you can imagine...) and lean Democrat (who tend to be the ones lobbying for smoking bans in the first place), it's rather profound that they would admit these bans are bad for business.

They packed quite a bit into that article.

 

[Magnum]

The point of this article, my dears, is that DC bars (not just the gay ones) are experiencing reduced revenues because of the smoking ban. This is contrary to what the smoke nazis are insisting.

Since the Blade tends to lean liberal (a gay paper...liberal...if you can imagine...) and lean Democrat (who tend to be the ones lobbying for smoking bans in the first place), it's rather profound that they would admit these bans are bad for business.

I am a non-smoker. I do have to admit it's nice going out to a bar and not smelling like smoke. On the other hand I see my smoker friends that are not having fun. I think they should redo everything and make ventilation changes or smoking areas then everyone would be a little happier. But thats just my opinion.

 

[pingrr]

I would say maybe there are less Gay people or they found something else to do Mad because they can't smoke them poles in the bars

you beat me to it. I was gona say the same thing.

 

[Magnum]

you beat me to it. I was gona say the same thing.

Great minds think alike

 

[christy217]

I am sure they are feeling the impact, but Apex fails to mention that they recently cut out one of their biggest nights, Liquid Ladies for the lesbian crowd. I am sure that cut a huge hole in their revenue. I am amazed that they're experiencing such trauma, when they charge 7 bucks for a bottle of beer and 20 for the cover!

Omega is right behind Apex, so whatever crowd that would wonder from there to Omega from Liquid Ladies-guys attend too, is lost as well.

Also, a big heavy hitter was the DC Kings show, Apex no longer hosts that, they used to host it once a month, HUGE turnout!

 

[Larry Gude]

That is so far...

" ...each suffered a decline in patrons and
revenue but not enough to make the clubs eligible for
a waiver [requiring a loss of 15% of total gross revenue
under Mayor Adrian Fenty's proposed regulations].

"

....beyond effed up it ain't even funny. That is the textbook definiton of socialism. Is that what we want, a total nanny state? Government control over what you make and how you make it?????????? What's next, tax relief or welfare for lost jobs, wages, lost profit????????? How about a supplement for patrons to cover increased prices. THIS IS MADNESS.

WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE. Especially you...fine folks...that support this lunacy!

Holy ####.

 

[vraiblonde]

I am sure they are feeling the impact, but Apex fails to mention that they recently cut out one of their biggest nights, Liquid Ladies for the lesbian crowd. I am sure that cut a huge hole in their revenue.

Again, it's not only gay bars that are feeling the pinch.

 

[Larry Gude]

I don't give a damn..

Again, it's not only gay bars that are feeling the pinch.

...if it's a gay bar, straight bar or a candy bar; this establishes a DIRECT governmental role in the profitability of private business conducting LEGAL affairs all in the name of a public health issue that DOES NOT EXIST.

Government has NO business in regulating smoking, seatbelt wearing or what you eat OR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE. PSA's? Sure, all day and every day. No one ever had to mandate lite beer; it took off of it's own (read the publics) accord. No one ever said 'you must eat jelly beans'; A president had a jar on his desk.

Where is a judge to throw this garbage out????????????????????

 

[Lenny]

They packed quite a bit into that article.

:snort:

 

[awpitt]

The point of this article, my dears, is that DC bars (not just the gay ones) are experiencing reduced revenues because of the smoking ban. This is contrary to what the smoke nazis are insisting.

Since the Blade tends to lean liberal (a gay paper...liberal...if you can imagine...) and lean Democrat (who tend to be the ones lobbying for smoking bans in the first place), it's rather profound that they would admit these bans are bad for business.

I suspect folks are taking the short trip into Maryland where (currently) they can smoke in bars and resturants. Once MD's ban kicks in, business for the DC sopts will pick up again unless folks decide to go across the river into VA.

 

[jetmonkey]

http://www.rathergood.com/gaybar/

 

[Dork]

They packed quite a bit into that article.

Packing is what they do best.

 

[High EGT]

....beyond effed up it ain't even funny. That is the textbook definiton of socialism. Is that what we want, a total nanny state? Government control over what you make and how you make it?????????? What's next, tax relief or welfare for lost jobs, wages, lost profit????????? How about a supplement for patrons to cover increased prices. THIS IS MADNESS.

WAKE THE HELL UP PEOPLE. Especially you...fine folks...that support this lunacy!

Holy ####.

I think the whole situation sucks!

 

[Larry Gude]

Dear dur da dur di dur...

I don;t think it is possible to smoke inside a candy bar dur da dur di dur

...I think you're right, but, did it have to be red? My feelings...at least you signed it.

 

[huntr1]

They packed quite a bit into that article.

Think maybe they fudged the numbers a bit?

 

[Larry Gude]

Oh...

Think maybe they fudged the numbers a bit?

...you guys are getting terrible!

You know you're in a gay bar if you grab a seat at the bar and someone offers to push your stool in for you.