How are smoking bans affecting the "bar scene?" (cost, buy)

[MidniteBreeze]

So as of Monday, Minnesota will join the growing list of states with indoor workplace smoking bans. Colorado, (where we used to live) also recently passed similar legislation. When we were out there visiting recently, we thought we'd stop in on an old neighborhood watering hole. We got there (on a weekend night) and the place was DEAD! There were only two other people actualy inside and a small group outside (smoking) who left shortly thereafter. We stayed for a beer but also left because there just wasn't anything going on. I doubt that place will be able to stay in business much longer if the current trend continues.

That, of course, is just one example, but I'm curious about other places with smoking bans (particularly in bars.) I'm not trying to start yet another pro or anti smoking ban debate per se, but I do wonder what kind of impact these laws will have in both the long and short term (especially in cold states like mine where it's not likely that people will be willing to stand outside in subzero weather to have a smoke.)

What have you observed? Are bars in your area struggling? Thriving? Are more people opting to stay home to drink/socialize? If you still go out to bars, is the "atmosphere" different?

Do you think we'll see a general decline in the number of drinking establishments due to smoking bans in the future or will we just get used to it? (I think people are getting used to the idea of non-smoking restaurants, but I think it might be different with bars just because smoking and drinking go hand in hand for a lot of people....plus people tend to spend more time at a bar than they do at a restaurant.)

Lastly, if you live in a "border" town, do you see any mass "migrations" to bars across the state line where people can still smoke?

I look forward to your responses.

[krudmonk]

People in California have adapted to it. They either take a short break to go outside, they sit on a back patio where smoking is permitted or they find a bar where smoking isn't banned (loophole with ownership stakes and such).

[irvm]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

If you still go out to bars, is the "atmosphere" different?

Yeah.
You can breathe.
And the girls smell better.

Anything wrong wit dat?

[MidniteBreeze]

Originally Posted by irvm

Yeah.
You can breathe.
And the girls smell better.

Anything wrong wit dat?

Whether or not I agree with you is really beside the point. The reality is smoking bans are here and they're likely to stay. I guess what I'm wondering more about is how the social (and economic) aspects of the bar/club scene have changed since the bans went into place. Like are there different types of crowds out at bars now than there used to be? For example, do you know of a former biker bar that's now catering to businessmen in order to stay afloat? That sort of thing.

I'm also curious about the people whom these laws are supposed to protect: the employees. I'm sure some are thrilled to be working in a smoke-free evniornment, but I'm sure others are hurting financially and may even be out of a job because of this kind of legislation?

[LittleMissSunshine]

I don't think it has effected it in anyway but positive here. I LOVE being able to go out and come home not smelling like smoke. Most places have an outside little area roped off for people to smoke, so if they wanna smoke they go there and then come back in.

[hollygolightly]

In Philadelphia, if less than 10% of the establishment's revenue (or something like that) comes from dining, patrons can smoke. But those tend to be more like dive bars.

[AksarbeN]

Friday night at a resort in Phoenix/Scottsdale area there was no problem with the smoking ban for Arizona. Very busy and everyone was enjoying themselves.

As for the revenue all of the restaurants that my wife and I go to are not having any trouble. Several weeks ago, we enjoyed a stay at a bar in the neighborhood and it was busy at mid afternoon, no one was smoking and everyone seems happy to be there.

If a decrease in revenue should occur it most likely nonsmoking people are not familiar with going out again and enjoying restaurants and bars. A lot nonsmokers didn’t go out because of the smoking, in time they will start returning. The smokers are staying away and drinking at home now. It’s going to get back to normal after a while. Those who enjoyed drinking will return in time, and those who don’t smoke will start going out more and enjoying the things they stayed away from for so long.

[woxyroxme]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

Lastly, if you live in a "border" town, do you see any mass "migrations" to bars across the state line where people can still smoke?

It's nothing to drive from Cincinnati into Kentucky, and you can save $13 a carton if you buy cigarettes while you are there. Last time I went to the hofbräuhaus in Newport there were a lot of cars with Ohio plates on 3rd. St.

[Art1979]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

That, of course, is just one example, but I'm curious about other places with smoking bans (particularly in bars.) I'm not trying to start yet another pro or anti smoking ban debate per se, but I do wonder what kind of impact these laws will have in both the long and short term (especially in cold states like mine where it's not likely that people will be willing to stand outside in subzero weather to have a smoke.)

It's really on a bar per bar basis. Since we already had a no smoking bar before the ban, a lot of the teetobacconists (as alcohol has teetotalers) patroned it and only went to a handful of the establishments that did permit smoking. The reason, in my opinion, was the food. Sure it was fried, fat-laden, and a guaranteed diet-wrecker, but a tenderloin or meatloaf sandwich hit the spot from time to time. It would also accompany a beer very well. I think the teetobacconists patron them more now that there's a smoking ban. This offsets some of the revenue lost after 9:00pm when the grills close. I find it interesting that one of the shining points of these bars was not the drink (as there were substitutes for that), rather the food they could get no where else.

However, if the bar opened after 9:00pm, they were more geared towards alcohol. Since many people in this town are bar loyal, there were bars that only smokers hung out at. These are the bars that are in trouble. I was there last night with a group of 5 friends, and we made up 50% of the clientele (on average). Before the ban, this particular bar's strength was being able to smoke without being harassed and staying open until 2:30. Now that their primary selling point is gone, only the true blues are left. I imagine the others are smoking at home or driving elsewhere.

Believe it or not, it would be economically cost effective for these types of establishments to permit smoking. Even with the ban! As the teetobacconists patron the bars they did before the ban, I seriously doubt they'd set foot in the ones I know are hurting.

[BrianH]

Its all good here in my town in New Mexico. Didnt afffect the bars in ireland either