Frederick Maryland's Nightlife, Events, and Entertainment Authority.

FredRocks Smokin' Bar Crawl

For those of you who don't know, Maryland enacted a state wide smoking ban for all bars and restaurants. It's going into effect on February 1. I'm not much of a smoker, but part of me will miss the sketchy seedy feeling of a smoky bar. Is anybody up for a Smokin' Bar Crawl on Thursday, January 31? Call it a celebration of the removal of the killer clouds, or our own civil protest of the violation of our right to mutilate our bodies however we see fit. (however you want to look at it) Let me know if you're game, because this is a one time event, for better or for worse.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cyndi on January 6, 2008 at 5:23pm: As a non-smoker, it's nice for me when I know places won't be smoky anymore, but on the other hand I'd never demand it of a bar or club... I expect places like that to be smoke-filled, and just hope they're well ventilated... It's not like a public facility or restaurant (where the main focus is food), and I always thought it should be up to the private owners. Anyways, just my random opinion...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darren on January 15, 2008 at 2:03am: Thank you! Amanda has a point that more people could go on Friday, but Thursday is the last day to smoke in Maryland, so it's a must! So I'll be leading one on Thursday, and if she does one on Friday, I'll go to that too.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darren on January 16, 2008 at 5:36pm: Yeah, don't worry, I can delete her posts whenever I want.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christopher Llewellyn on February 1, 2008 at 9:13pm: You two argue like two old women, just so happens that one of you is a woman, I choose not to disclose which one...lol

It was a fun night, and I am glad to see both you, and Darren and many others.

Permalink Reply by Me on January 17, 2008 at 11:42pm: I would love to come out. We'll see if I can get my permission slip signed or a babysitter lined up ;); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris Hagan on January 21, 2008 at 10:31pm: I would come out but im underage and dont smoke.

So ill just sit on my couch and drink keeping you bar crawlers in mind on the 31st, hahaha.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LaliAna on February 1, 2008 at 6:01pm: Damn man. I wish I had caught this. I'd have been there. I hope that a fun time was had by all. Fun enough today you're throat hurts and you can't stop coughing! LOL The bar was really my social smoking haven.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garth on February 2, 2008 at 10:41am: Wow, your own civil protest; violation of "your" right to mutilate "your" own bodies however "you" see fit. Don't you think that is selfish to those who not enjoy having their body mutilated because of someone else's choice to mutilate theirs within reach of them? Is this really a selfish act or lazy act? How hard is it to just walk outside and smoke a cigarette and then walk back inside? When I was living in California during the initiation of their smoke-ban people worried about that, but you know who benefitted most and had nothing to do with health? The businesses found that their business increased because they found there are more non-smokers then smokers who frequented their establishment. You can be upset all you want that your body is no longer being mutilated in a bar or restaurant, but the ratio of people who are happier far outweigh the number of people who are affected by the ban. If you need a cigarette because of stress or social acceptance, I guess you all need to find a new vice or try yoga. Get over yourself and stop being selfish.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christopher Llewellyn on February 2, 2008 at 10:52am: I can see, and understand where you are coming from. What I do not understand is how you can call it being selfish to smoke in a bar that allows smoking. That is like saying it is selfish to eat at a restaurant's. Just because they allow you to smoke means, I am being selfish? The purpose of the night is to celebrate the ending of a choice people make, in public.

You are right it is not hard to go outside to smoke, however is it equally as not as hard to go outside and drink? Is drinking self mutilation? I believe so, I also don't think you (if you are or are not) being a drinker would dislike the thought of going outside in the weather, just like a smoker would dislike that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Garth on February 2, 2008 at 11:56pm: No, I meant to call it being selfish to be angry with a law that bans smoking. There are a lot of people who would like to go to the those bars and hang out, but cannot stand the smell of smoke and the breathing or allergy problems some may have. That was a great analogy, but I did not explain myself properly. I apologize. I understood what that night meant for everyone. I am not a drinker, nor have I ever been a smoker. I was merely commenting on the comments of others. It was the perogative of the bars to allow smoking. Drinking is self mutilation if you are not properly drinking. I drank plenty in the Marine Corps, but will not do it now because I watched people drink themselves stupid. I go out for the social aspect, not the people who do not know how to control their drinking and make jerks of themselves. If the bars here would invest in heat lamps to post outside their establishments it would not be so bad. I compare this to California, but all the bars who have outside access also have heat lamps. But, if you ever see me out in town, get my attention and I will buy you a beer.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christopher Llewellyn on February 3, 2008 at 1:10am: I can respect your opinion, as well I am sure you respect mine. I am not a fan of beer, however I am sure there is a medium.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darren on February 2, 2008 at 3:09pm: Phoebus,

First of all, thank you for signing up. Personally, I'm not trying to turn this site into a political rant, which is why I made sure to offer both perspectives in my initial posts, with celebrating "removal of killer clouds" as well as the loss of the personal freedom. That said, before the ban, there were plenty of bars in town that didn't allow smoking. Anyone that wanted to go out and not be in a smoky atmosphere had plenty of options. Now that choice has been made for everyone in the state. Frankly, if removing smoking were really that good for businesses, then the smoke free bars would have been packed on a regular basis. That simply wasn't the case. Those of us who want to allow everyone to choose between a smoky bar or a smoke free bar aren't being selfish. We're protecting your right to that choice as much as we are protecting our own.; ▶ Reply to This