On the street, by phone and by email we're constantly getting stories from people, both patrons and workers, about how happy they are the new smokefree law in DC is finally in effect. So we've decided to create this blog so that those stories can be shared.
If you've enjoyed the benefits of going out in DC without the smoke, please click on the link below and tell us your story! Include at least your first name and neighborhood, please, (rather than anonymous).
We wanted to have a public place for people to post comments -- their smokefree stories, violations, or just a thank you to the steering committee.
48 comments:
One of the first places I visited was Timberlakes, Dupont Circle's best neighborhood bar.
At Teaism in Penn Quarter on Sunday, I overheard a group of four young people, all raving about the new law. "I'm so happy they did it" one of the young women said. All nodded in agreement. Teaism has always been smokefree.
On Sunday, I went to Childe Harold and had lunch, quite a pleasure to be there without the smoke!
I asked the bartender about why the upstairs was closed, and he said that since the bar was now smokefree, they didn't need to keep a separate room open.
I went to Titan Bar above Dakota Cowgirl for the first time. Nice to have clean air, and the bartender agreed. But it was full of sad alcoholics and rotten music, so I wasn't missing much. :-)
I went to Dupont Italian Kitchen. The smoke wafting down to the smokefree dining room from the upstairs bar got so bad in November and December, that I couldn't stay without getting sick. Now after a week, the air is better, and I only got a headache from the lingering stench from old smoke at dinner tonight.
Even birthday celebrations are celebrating the new law. This email arrived today:
"Howdy Everyone --
"To celebrate my 34th (as well as the newly smoke-free dc!), please join me for drinks after work ... at Biddy Mulligan's on Dupont Circle. I'll be there starting from 6pm. Bring along coworkers, friends -- the more the merrier!
"Looking forward to seeing you at Biddy's and the chance to catch up after the new year!"
Some random observations from the first week ... went to Mackey's on Friday night and the place was packed to the rafters. Only a handful of smokers were outside when I arrived. At 9 p.m. myself and a friend left and headed up Connecticut Ave. Lucky Bar? Packed - couldn't even walk inside. Citron? Packed.
We continued to Bistro DuCoin, which was closed and dark. Turns out, according to the signs on the windows, the city suspended its alcohol license for 2 days for selling alcohol to minors. If they scream later about losing business in January, you'll know why.
Ended up at Tomate, where the manager said the law was working fine so far - the bar was full and there was a wait for tables. The regular smokers all came, he said, and even though he told them they could go on the patio with their drinks and smoke, none of them did.
Another night during the first week I went to Cafe Deluxe in Cleveland Park. Same story - the place was full (it was Wednesday) and one of the regular smokers was there at the end of the bar, nursing her Bud, but never went outside to smoke.
This is great!
Restaurant week is going well. Zola's was booked solid for lunch on Wednesday and they were turning away people at the door. Rosa Mexicano was able to seat us, but all the tables around us soon filed up. Rosa had a smokey bar area, but now the air is as nice as the decor.
My first smoke-free visit to the Brickskeller, notorious for being one of the smokiest bars in the city. I was so excited that I could wear a new coat and not worry about coming home smelling like an ashtray. Contrary to the arguments of smoke-free opponenents, I am more likely to stay out longer, eat more, and drink more now that I don't have to worry about secondhand smoke and smelling badly. I love a smoke-free DC!
JRs went a day early a week ago on Monday. Went for showtunes on that Monday and it was packed. Based on Mr. Lee's manifesto, it's apparent he closed his business a few months too early. Guess businesses won't lose the 33% of their business that he argued they would. I've made it clear everywhere I've been in the past week that I wouldn't have been there if smoking was still allowed. Please let bar employees know when you're a new customer because of being smoke-free.
Smoke-free is the way to be! Living in California most my life and having 0 friends that smoked, I never even considered that I'd be faced with the stench of secondhand smoke again. Just one night hanging out with my friends at some of my favorite places, Pour House or Irish Times, left me smelling and feeling disgusting. What I couldn't stand most was that when I woke up the next morning, I could always smell the smoke in my sheets. It's great that DC is now smoke-free. I can't stand the smell, but more importantly I don't have to worry about what the secondhand smoke is doing to my body.
This is Awesome!!!! I am friends with lots of DC bartenders and it is great to pop in on them after work to say hello and not have all my clothes, coat, handbag and hair be stinky. I have heard nothing but positives from friends too, esp ones who have always wanted to quit. It has been so much easier on them!!
I'm in in Manhattan at least once a month and that used to be where I'd spend my going-out-and-drinking-money. Such a delight to have a civilized drink and not smell like an ashtray — even after one solitary glass of wine.
Now DC gets that hard earned cash.
Friday found me in Teatro on K St, then Rumberos in Columbia Heights, and then closed the evening down at The Diner in Adams Morgan. Teatro's ventilation system is about the same as Rumberos': All it would take is one light up at the bar and I'd be reaching for my inhaler.
I'll still go to trailblazing places like Oya, BLT, and Thai Tanic (all voluntarily smoke free prior to Jan 2nd). But it's wonderful to be able to go anywhere and not have to worry anymore.
I love the ban...finally I can get home and not have to take the "Fabreze shower" and i feel MUCH better the day after since the ban has been in place..finally!!
I live in upper northewest. went to the Parthnon Restaruent (Ct Avenue) sat in the bar area... talked to the owner/bartender. He said it has really been great ... most of the smokers don't mind and he says its drawing in new people who will drink and eat in the bar area.
I passed Angela on Conn Ave. last Friday night and had to refrain from approaching her like a groupie to a rock star. You were great on the news and I'm loving the smoke free-ness of everywhere I go, but that night it was Adams Morgan.
Kristen R.
Capitol Hill
I hit up Saloun on Saturday night in Gtown with about 10 friends. We specifically chose a bar in the District, rather than one in Arlington, because of the new smoke free law. The bar was packed, it was hot, and dancing to Melvin's "Hey Cassanova" was much more enjoyable without the smoke.
No more Febreeze showers, no more braving the cold without a coat for fear that it would get smokey, no more five alarm hangovers exacerbated by smokey hair and clothes. Smokefree is the way to be.
I have guided people to happy hours in the District, rather than near work in Arlington because we can grab drinks and food at the bar and without smoke in our faces.
Plus, smoking outside allowed one of my coworkers to strike up a conversation with a fellow smoker and initiate a potential takedown.
Teddy B. Arlington
went to JRs last night. heavenly to just enjoy a quick cocktail (which, of course, turned into 2) with a friend and not think about how gross my coat/shirt/hair would be afterwards. will definitely go out more often now.
Hey,
I don't know who Jim is below, but I went to Titan to - (on a friday night which is always fun). The place was completely packed for Friday when I left around 9, and there were only about three people outside the building smoking.
Since Titan used to be full of smoke, I was expecting to here at least a few grumbles, but just about everyone was fine with it.
It's quite remarkable how much of a non-issue this is now that it's finally taken effect.
Let me also echo my appreciation to Tac, Angela, Bob, and everyone who worked so hard on this.
And of course thanks to the many organizations who endorsed the legislation including the Gertrude Stein Democrats, Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance, Whitman-Walker Clinic, Mautner Project, and many others ....
I live in Virginia and we now travel to DC four our happy hours at work to get away from the smoke. Thank goodness for smoke free DC. When will Virginia wake up?
In celebration of the new law, I am going out to a bar in DC tomorrow night for the first time in several years. I have developed an allergy to smoke and haven't been able to visit any bars. I am so excited to experience the bar scene again - can't wait!
I finally went back to J.R.'s. Much more fun without the smoke. It really is a great space.
Since the ban has been enacted, I have been to so many bars that I had been avoiding for years because they were too smokey--I've been to the Guards, the Front Page, Nanny O'Brien's, The Four Green Fields, and Stetsons all since January 1st. It feels great and everyone I spoke with tells me that they wish smoking had been banned a long time ago.
It appears I'm one of many Arlington residents who is more than willing to hop across the river for the smoke free atmosphere. It is so much nicer. I was at Gordon Biersch over the weekend and it was packed, especially after the Capitals game let out. So much for lost revenue!!
I have asthma and it is just great to be able to go out again and not have to worry about smoke. Its about time!
I've been part of D.C. night life scene for three years. I love the music scene, going out, and dancing to relieve the stressors of living in the area and to just enjoy myself by doing what I love... I'm now 21, and I started going out when I turned 18. By the age of 19, major asthmatic symptoms surfaced caused by my love of going out at least once a week to night clubs. I was no longer able to enjoy myself like I used to, and had to constantly take medications which are expensive to afford as a student to go out and enjoy myself, or any time my symptoms act up. I'm extremely upset that it took so long to pass legislation to ban smoking. Smoking is causing disease (in my case, the development of respiratory illness/asthma) and killing countless Americans like myself... I just read that the mayor, Adrian Fenty, wants to overturn the ban for businesses that have a 5% decrease in sales.. it's ridiculously saddening. NYC has had the ban in place and night life has NOT suffered from the ban, I'm not surprised if Fenty's actions are monetarily influenced... pretty ironic that he was among chief support for the ban as a city council member?
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=596&sid=1024123
I am SO happy that DC is now smokefree! Now I can go to some of my favorite bars that are more cramped and small and not worry about the ridiculous dense smoke hanging over the crowd. No more smelly jeans, no more worrying about my asthma!
I am so thrilled that the law has passed and offer my sincere gratitude to all who put so much work into it. I do believe long term you will have saved some lives.
I live in Alexandria but now plan to spend more time at DC bars and avoid VA as much as possible. I had begun to curtail my bar hopping given the smoke (just a few weeks ago I woke up feeling wretched after a night at Buffalo Billards). Thanks to you all, I can start going out again!!
All I can say is FANTASTIC!! We went to the Georgetown Ritz Bar, the Georgetown Park Hyatt lounge, and the Bombay Club Bar and it was great to be able to sit there without choking on fumes. We also visited Olives, a place we had left before due to heavy smoking, but now a place we will definitely go back to.
I gathered a group to celebrate smoke-free DC at Stetson's last Saturday. We all took a moment to inhale deeply and enjoy the clean air. I was so happy that I didn't even mind the pathetic Dallas-Seattle game playing out on the big screen. My group stayed for nearly four hours - I never stay at a bar that long.
Mac in Cleveland Park. Love playing pool but for years couldn't bear going to Atomic billiards because of the smoke. But went in last week, had a great time, and didn't have to shower when I got home. Every table was in use. At one point the bartender checked a guy at the bar complaining about the ban-- "you can still smoke-- just do it outside." Well said.
I specifically went out in DC on Friday night just to be able to have a cider and relax in my favorite pub (Fado's) without having to shower for an hour afterward to get the smell of smoke off of my skin.
It was a truly great evening. My eyes didn't burn, nose didn't get stuffed up, I didn't start coughing or start sounding like I have a bronchial infection. I didn't have to leave after an hour, as I most often do when I'm in a smokey bar.
It was FANTASTIC!
I live in Virginia where, until they stop growing tobacco, I'm afraid will never go smokeless. But they've lost my business. I'll now go to DC to hang out all night instead.
I went to the Changes dance night (all Bowie tunes) at the Rock 'n' Roll Hotel on Saturday and it was wonderful to come home and not have to dump my clothes into the washing machine immediately to get rid of the smoke odor. I would not have gone out if not for the smoking ban, even though I love dancing to Bowie's music. The smoke would have ruined it for me. I look forward to going out to more dance nights all over the city.
Thank GOD! I'm allergic to smoke ... so this means I can go out ... EVEN MORE!
Thank you, Smokefree DCers!!
- Kelly Ann Collins
And this is good for all of the nightlifers out there that used to have to work in smokey enviroments - ick!
Glad my pals will be healthier now.
:-)
I live near the new "Atlas District" on H Street, Northeast, and I hadn't even been inside any of the new bars there because I didn't want to feel like the bottom of an ashtray when I walked out.
Last weekend, a friend suggested we check out H Street now that the city's smoke-free. It was great! My 30-something friends all agree; we will be going out more and staying longer (buying more!) thanks to the ban.
I'm glad to see the H Street revitalization getting started in a cleaner, healthier environment. It's better for my H Street community.
I live in Arlington,Virginia but work in DC. While I used to go home to frequent Arlington bars near Courthouse and Clarendon, now I just go out in DC instead.
I am so glad that DC followed the lead of CA and NY. It's about time for Virginia to read the writing on the wall.
Its so nice going places now! I'm sure bars in the long run will end up making more money! Lets just hope the Mayor Raises the clause so bars cant just go back to there smoke filled days!
I'm spending the week in the Marriott Wardman-Park. The hotel went completely smokefree ahead of DC, including every sleeping room. Signs are up all over the hotel, and despite the large number of people from other countries, we haven't heard a single complaint. On the other hand, there have been many comments in favor of the smokefree environment. One hotel worker sends her thanks to Smokefree DC from her and her broncitis. In my room, there was a little tent card warning about a $250 Room Recovery fee for people who smoke in the room.
Hooray!
I went to JRs for the first time in more than a dozen years. It was rather nice inside without the smoke that had kept me away. I ran into a fellow who was thrilled with the new law. Among other benefits, he offered a new one. He said that the smokers outside had made his Dupont neighborhood much safer. When he walks his dog at night, he is comforted by all of the people outside smoking that deter criminals from the neighborhood. What an interesting observation.
I go out SO MUCH MORE now. In my neighborhood (Penn Quarter) I'm at Jaleo all the time, which used to have such a horribly smoky bar area. Same for Ella's Pizza. And now I can go out with my friends who want to go to bars pretty much anywhere, without the elaborate discussion of where would be the least smoky. (Until the ban, I had basically stopped going to bars.)
I now head to the District rather than walk to Old Town when I want to go to a bar to catch a game and drink some beer. Thank you DC! Maybe Alexandria will get the hint.
I have been bartending in DC nightclubs for over 6 years and I have to say this new law is the best thing that's happened to my personal health in a long time. We haven't seen a reduction in business and just about everyone is thrilled that DC is now smoke-free. Many smokers have told me, "I never liked smelling other smokers' smoke - I only like to smell my own" - and they are more than happy to go outside and smoke. Bravo - I thank you from the bottom of my lungs! :-) - Dave the Bartender
I love smokefree D.C. I'm a Virginia resident, but I've been frequenting more bars in District because I prefer not breathing in second hand smoke while I'm enjoying some drinks with friends. And the 9:30 Club is much better without the giant smoke clouds! We're all out later because we're not losing oxygen all night!
Living in NoVa, I prefer to come into DC for dinner or cocktails due partly to the non-smoking law.
It's makes dining out so much more enjoyable.
I think this new law is awesome! I have Cystic Fibrosis, a life-shortening disease that causes major lung problems. I spend hours each day trying to keep my lungs clear and infection-free, and cigarette smoke is probably the worst possible thing for me to be around. Like everyone else, I enjoy going to bars and clubs, but I always had to go at risk of getting very sick. Now I can do it without worrying about my health! It's about time!
I must say that since we have had similar laws enacted in Melbourne, I must say that going out is a much better experience.
Although I heard that in Scotland, they enacted similar laws that forbade smoking in nightclubs and they have found that the smell of stale smoke was then found to have been covering up the smell of Body odour and other offensive smells. I guess there is always a price for healthy living.
I live in Alexandria, and I'm sick of having to come back into the District just to have a smoke-free environment. But I will gladly keep giving my money to DC bars and restaurants and NOT to the nasty, smokey places in Old Town until Virginia gets it together and starts caring about the well-being of people.
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