dynagirl

A number of bar owners are still up in arms over the new Madison smoking ban. We went out to The Avenue for fish fry last week, and it was as busy as usual — an hour wait for a table. This time, the wait was much nicer, since there was no haze in the air and stinky clothing afterwards. People go out to taverns for many reasons — the camraderie and conversation, live music, a scene different from that in one’s living room. As much as drinkin’ and smokin’ may go together for many people like milk and cookies, I’m glad to be able to go out and not come home stinky and hoarse. New York did it, and Ireland did it — two very smoky places — I think health-nutty Madison can manage. As far as business losses, I know way more people who hadn’t gone out to taverns much because of the smoke, than people who won’t go out now because they can’t.