But the conversation continued
I just had to be out last night for the stroke of midnight. No matter how tired I was from the night before, I wanted to be a witness to history. At midnight the New Jersey smoking ban went into effect.
I started my night with the long walk to Mulligan’s (159 1st St, Hoboken) to meet up with Mitch, Sarah and Adriana. By around 11:00 you could see that panic in the room as everyone, including myself, began chain smoking like mad. As if we were camels stocking up on water before the long haul.
At around 11:30 I walked up towards Moran’s (501 Garden St, Hoboken). I peeked in but didn’t see anyone I knew. I decided to go my failsafe bar Louise and Jerry’s (329 Washington St, Hoboken). As usual the place was packed with familiar faces, some I had not seen in a while. The chain smoking continued and I switched to Jack & Cokes. And then it happened.
As if waiting for midnight on New Year’s Eve, we all rushed to light up one last time as the clocked counted down the seconds. When the time came, the music was shut off and we heard, “Everyone put out your cigarettes or go outside now! The ban is in effect!” And the place erupted in a roar that was a mixture of angry bellows, sighs of relief from nonsmokers and laughter at the overall absurdity.
The ban is wrapped in controversy because certain exceptions were being made. Casinos and portions of hotels were designated as OK to smoke. This sparked lawsuits from other businesses citing the obvious unfairness. More so than that, one point in particular could wreak havoc on towns like Hoboken whose economy relies almost exclusively on its night life.
According to the new law, one has to stand twenty five feet away from a building in order to smoke. Here in Hoboken, twenty five feet will put you in one of two places; either in front of another bar or out in the middle of the street. Also, this will kill the chance for bars with the real estate to have outdoor smoking areas.
Another concern for this town is noise. Bars already have a problem trying to keep the neighbors happy. Unfortunately it seems that a lot of the folks that have moved into this town in recent years have forgotten that almost all of the town’s revenue comes from its nightlife.
Once you start to scare people away from the bars, sure it will be quieter but guess what? You’ll scare away their money too. With that goes the comfort and lifestyle we’ve all come to enjoy here. Remember, we do not have another industry here to sustain us. What made our town such a choice pace to live has been the bar scene. Like it or not. Let’s not even talk about what litter we’re gonna get out of this.
Anyway, back inside I was talking to Irene who I met at a roof party in Red Hook at the Liberty Tap Room back in June of 2004. Her brother is in the band Eugene. She and I had never really spoken more than a few minutes at a time. Tonight we were on a roll with some serious yet friendly spirited political, social and religious debates. It was nice to get to know this more serious side of a person who, until now, I really didn’t know all that well.
We left the bar and, after helping to rescue a couple of rogue hacky sacks for a bunch of kids in Irene’s building, we were greeted by her neighbor. This sweet old lady joined us for a bit of our conversation then went home. Irene and I had a couple more beers, talked more until after 4:00 and time for me to walk home.
Along the way I was caught up in wondering what the heck those kids were doing up after 2:00 playing hacky sack. And how did two of the little sacks manage to escape their second floor window? And why didn’t one pf them just go get it instead of waiting for a couple of drunks to happen by? Well, this is Hoboken. Chances were pretty good.
While pondering this I nearly walked right into my friend Lauren, former belly-dancer gone singer songwriter. She was at Louise and Jerry’s earlier with the rest of us and was making her way home as well. We joked about how, by the time we get into our apartments, it’ll be time to feed the cats.
Indeed my cat was up and waiting for his grub when I finally survived the climb up my stairs. I wound up sleeping past noon, a rarity for me. I had the strangest dream that I was being held at knife point that was so real, I could feel the point in my back. So I was glad to wake up but even then I swear I could still feel it.
Links:
Louise and Jerrys
Mulligan’s
Roof Party @ Liberty Tap Room
