Has Arlington Reached a Smoke-Free Tipping Point?
When Clarendon Grill decided to go smoke-free, they didn't mess around. Not only is there a ginormous "NO SMOKING" sign right on the front door, there are those white fliers plastered all over the windows:
Just this year, we've seen three types of places go smoke-free that cynics claimed never would never flip voluntarily:- A sports bar (Thirsty Bernie's)
- A brew pub (Cap City)
- And a music venue (Clarendon Grill)
For more smoke-free establishments, check out Arlington County's Smoke Free Restaurants guide.
UPDATE: Thanks to commenter JohnAlex, I called Whitlow's, who informed me that they're now mostly smoke-free. There's a small smoking section in the back (if you've been there, it's near the beach mural). OK, so I have to change my vote, I guess ... I know it's a stretch, but I'll go with Jay's. How great would it be to have a smoke-free dive bar? Close second would be for Tallula's EatBar to go 100% smoke-free, it'd be nice to hang out in that back lounge without smelling like an ashtray afterwards.
Labels: 22203, Clarendon, Clarendon Grill, Miles, smoking ban
posted by TheGreenMiles at 2:18 PM
12 Comments:
Isn't Whitlows smoke free already? Or do they just have a limited smoking section?
3:02 PM
I would love Whitlows to go smokefree!!
Somehow I'm guessing Jay's will never go smoke free...
3:06 PM
I hope Jay's never goes smoke free. If you want to avoid smoke go hang out in DC or any Arlington yuppie bar. Smokers need a place to go too..
7:57 PM
Smokers have a place to go. It's called outside. Step out for a couple of minutes, enjoy your cigarette, and come back in. Not a big deal anywhere there's a smoking ban. No protests in the streets. Wouldn't be a big deal here.
Oh, wait. Except in Richmond. At 6601 W. Broad St.
8:37 PM
Don't you get it Brian K? The Green Miles has decided how he wants to live, and now he has decided how he wants you to live.
"Go outside," he says. Problem (his) solved! Pass a law. Pass another law.
See? That's how we spell diversity in Arlington; everybody should do as The Green Miles and his ilk says.
Then you'll be happy!
10:23 PM
I disagree. Passing a law isn't about infringement on your rights, it's about protecting others from second hand smoke. Now, I know you can say it's their choice on whether to go to that restaurant or not, and that's certainly within your right. But what's the harm in stepping outside? Makes life nicer for everyone.
10:25 PM
Eric, stop being so practical! Haven't you learned by now that anonymous, divisive, polarizing comments rule the blogosphere? :)
10:47 PM
This is the way it should be... where the establishments choose to go smoke free and are not mandated to do so by some central authority (that you know, knows better than you and decides to remove that choice from your simple little head). Very Libertarian thinking to go this way as opposed any other method.
2:49 AM
Will Green Miles be attending the Diversity Dialogs also posted on this sight?
I hope so. I look forward to reading about all the divisive and polarizing opinions.
You know, other peoples opinions.
3:19 PM
Libertarianism: Ignoring negative externalities since 1971!
Seriously, this is a health issue. I'm happy more and more Arlington joints are going smoke-free. They probably realized that negative externalities exist (hey, it costs less to clean and insure a smoke-free joint, and their employees will be healthier, and they won't lose the business of nonsmokers)
4:25 PM
Anonymous, you are really making me rethink my view of diversity. I think I really should broaden my group of friends to include more smokers, make it more diverse. Seriously? This is a diversity issue??
Look, I still have some friends who smoke, and I think they'd be appalled by your lack of respect for the desire of others to take care of their health. As others have pointed out, you still have the choice of frequenting these establishments and stepping outside for a smoke. For the many people actually truly bothered by smoke (or even allergic), they don't have the option to spend any amount of time in a smoking establishment.
And really, from a practical standpoint, do you know much much less laundry must be done as a result of smoke-free bars? Do you know that it allows girls to actually go to bed without having to wash their hair at 2am because it doesn't reek?
6:47 PM
Oooooh, I'm going to go with Iota. It's so small there's no real way to have a designated smoking area, and it's one of the smokier places left in Arlington.
Plus, they do have a back patio, so smokers would have somewhere to go other than out on the street.
9:24 PM
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