It's hard to keep your bar open (and liquor license) when you don't pay your taxes. I'm just saying.
You're skeptical that the smoking ban has hurt bar biz in Cincinnati? Try talking to some bar owners. Neighborhood bars like this have suffered the most. It also killed Western Bowl.
I just heard the rumor this morning, and I can honestly say that it is now a sad day. A lot of my UC memories are of hanging out at Uncle Woody's. Sad sad day!
This was NOT a neighborhood bar, this was a College Bar. Know you facts James!
http://maps.google.com/maps?
num=...45850627632757#
But the college, for the most part, IS the neighborhood.
What kind of weird point is that?
Know you facts? Love you Griff.
I was unaware that colleges aren't in neighborhoods. You got me.
Ahhhh, Uncle Woody's, a favorite moment there ....
Living in Clifton, I once received a wrong number call from a young woman with an amazingly alluring voice and somehow managed to turn it into a blind date with the agreement we'd meet at Uncle Woody's and see where it went.
When asked how she'd identify me, I said, "I'll be the one wearing a red carnation."
On the appointed day, I got a goofy idea so I swung into Adrian's and picked up 2 dozen red carnations then proceeded early to Uncle Woody's where I quickly convinced every guy in the place to get in on the joke and don one. Then I got a cold one, sat back in the corner and waited for the comical confusion to come.
Worked like a charm, took about five perfectly ridiculous minutes before she A. realized she'd been completely zoomed by a total stranger and B. stood helplessly looking around wondering if the wrong number recipient was ever going to step forward.
Though she loved the joke, turned out we had nothing in common - first and only blind date of my life.
Why oh why are people being obtuse?
James, when you used the term "neighborhood bar" you meant something specific. Every bar is of course in a neighborhood. I was hoping to avoid having to play the "cover your ass" game in blog commenting parlance, but alas I let myself be sucked in.
For every hole in the wall old man bar that closes, a new bar somewhere, and with a semi-useable bathroom, opens up.
You are being obtuse and out of touch with reality. Got it — you don't like smoking and think the ban is great. I agree with you somewhat. Regardless, pick 10 random bars that have been around for over 10 years in various neighborhoods, go talk to the bar owners. I've talked to plenty — i'm a beer distributor. It's killing them. You are out of touch with reality.
Your "flowers die and others grow in their place" theory is great. Just not completely true. (You make this assertion a lot — where's your proof?) And what of bars that have been around for 50 years?
It'll take some time, but someday, yes, the "old man" bars like Uncle Woody's will be replaced for the super cool people like you who require clean air and a clean place to piss when you go out and drink. My whole point was to keep saying the smoking ban hasn't hurt bar biz is totally ludicrous.
Pfff - the smoking ban had nothing to do with keeping bar business going. The majority of citizens did not want to inhale second hand smoke for a variety of legitimate, constitutional reasons in public accomodation places. Like any law, there will be negative consequences. I do not think a few "neighborhood bars" closing is a loss that even comes close to outweighing the gain that was sought. Let's be realistic, bars closing due to the smoking ban are not really viable businesses to begin with.
James,
Where's the evidence that bar Business in Ohio is hurting? Hell, Ruby is closing a bar/Resturant down in Newport. If the Kentucky bar business was booming because of the ban, you would think the lines out the door for every bar in Covingtown and Newport would be insane. I am not saying they are doing bad, I am saying they are not gaining more than they are losing to Ohio.
Ruby closing the Tropicana has to do with the lawsuit over its name - moot point.
As to BAM's point:
"Let's be realistic, bars closing due to the smoking ban are not really viable businesses to begin with."
If, instead of the ban, we had let market forces dictate smoking or non-smoking bars and someone decided to open a non-smoking bar, it would probably fail. Then I could say "Let's be realistic, bars closing due to being non-smoking are not really viable businesses to begin with."
I went to UC but live in DC now. DC has had it's smoking ban in effect since January of 2007 and it has had little to no effect on patronage since nobody wants to go to fucking Virginia.
There are other reasons places close, too. We're in a recession, and with gas, food, and other consumables (including beer) skyrocketing in price, and wages stagnant or in decline, a lot more people are deciding going out and spending $3 or $4 or $5 on a beer just isn't worth it.
And Griff has a point (though I wouldn't necessarily argue every bar that closes was definitely doing something wrong), but if memory serves correctly, Woody's was the closest bar not just to the law school, but to McMicken, and Tangeman, as well. If you can't keep a bar open across the street from a university, you ARE doing something wrong. Off the top of my head, I can name a half a dozen bars in Clifton with no outdoor seating for smokers at all that are still alive and well. Buzzy must have fucked something up.
Pardon me. It was BAM making the point about viable bars. Apologies.
Interesting
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pb...0382/1077/
COL02
I find it amusing that Griff has issues with the CCV for their trying to legislate morality, but has no problem when the legislation of morality (in this case to ban smoking) agrees with his worldview. But it's not just Griff. This kind of hypocrisy runs rampant in all walks of our society.
Joe,
Would you like to repeal the health codes? You surely must want food poisoning to help thin out the herd, don't you?
Smoking ban = morality????????
Joe, people think they will die of lung cancer if they spend ten minutes near somebody smoking a cigarette.
The proof of this is that we are all dead.
BAM, traditionally, when immoral people are portrayed in fiction and religious propaganda, they are usually smoking.
Speaking of this block area, are "they" tearing down Hughes High School or renovating it? I drove by and noticed the National chain link rental fence all around it. 
Griff - Please be more specific. Exactly what health codes? And what, if anything, does that have to do with my post or your viewpoint? You really should try to define your arguments better. I like your blog, but sometimes you come across as very ignorant. I'm not trying to be mean, just trying to help you become a better debater.
My point remains. You are a hypocrite, as are most people, with regard to when organizations try to regulate the behavior of others. You despise it when the CCV does it, but applaud it when a smoking ban is enforced. If you can justify your positon of when behavior should be regulated, versus when the free will of people should be embraced, then please do so. If you are unable, then don't respond and I'll understand that you have no answer.
Joe,
Ugh, simple, there are health codes that require restaurants to store and prepare food a specific way. Also there are health codes that require customers to wear shoes and shirts into the business That is now part of doing business. When the health codes were first started, people bitched and moaned about big government forcing them to do something they did want to do. Regulation!
The comparison is rather simple. I honestly didn't think you or anyone else would see it as being complicated.
I think your tactic at calling me ignorant is really a poor-man's debating tactic. Don't dodge the issue. If you don't know the facts, face up to it and more on.
Joe, behavior has been regulated since governments first started. You can't kill me on a whim, so yes, regulation is required.
Yeah, its definitely closed. There is still a chance that it will open up again with Buzzy as the owner/operator, but he will need a large infusion of cash to pay the back taxes to get the liquor license back.
I'm just upset that even though I made Bar Review, it won't be going up on the plaque
There are some rumors of suitors for the bar, but if it doesn't happen soon, its likely it will be closed for a llllloooonnnng time (bar is non ADA compliant, and currently grandfathered)
No Hughes isnt being closed down. They are (I believe) tearing down the professional building and renovating the Classical building. I graduated from there.
Brian said, "Also there are health codes that require customers to wear shoes and shirts into the business."
Actually, this is debatable. "No shirt, no shoes, no service" signs began to pop up in the late 60s and were originally designed simply to keep hippies away from "respectable" establishments.
Researcher, Brian's point is still valid despite his silly dress code example. When one undertakes operating a public accomodation business, he/she/it subjects themselves to a plethora of regulations depending on the business being conducted (e.g., employer, tax, food, safety, building, discrimination, etc. regulations). Brian's response to Joe's poor argument is still valid: The smoking ban is another rule the voters decided someone must follow when conducting a public accomodation business. This rule - like others similar to it - does not violate constitutional or privacy protections of anyone as Joe seems to vaguely imply by reference to CCV.
Regardless, as a VERY frequent visitor to Woody's, the smoking ban had NOTHING to do with it. (Further, having worked with and for Buzzy to pay for little things like the mortgage, I know for a fact that the ban is the least of his problems)
It was WAAAAY nicer after the ban (even though I smoke from time to time - more now that I am in BarBri... *sigh*). The front porch area negated any effect of that ban on them. Its covered, so there is really no argument that it was a hassle or drove people away.
Didn't mean to give the impression I wasn't for health regulations. I absolutely am. I just like that little factoid. There are much better examples you can use like proximity of industrial factories to schools and residences, and banning transfats that work much better for his point than "No shirt, no shoes, no service."
Buzzy was a jackass personally and a person who didn't pay his taxes. He deserves what he gets. He belongs to the greek church where everyone doesn't think much of his personality.
I'm glad they are shut down. I hope Buzzy moves into a shopping cart under a bridge.
all of Uncle Woody's stuff is up for auction at http://www.bidfta.com
I can't believe Woody's is gone. I have three years of law school memories that tend to involve or revolve around Woody's. As for Buzzy - I loved him. I rarely walked in there and wasn't greeted with a hug. He asked about my fam in Cleveland and about my studies, and always took care of me.
Wow...sort of pathetic of those who need to argue semantics and trash talk Woody's/Buzzy! If you didn't care for Buzzy or Woody's, then the end of Uncle Woody's shouldn't affect you one way or the other. ~*~*~ As for Bob's comment...if it came to that, there's no doubt Buzzy's would be the most hoppin' shopping cart under the bridge! ~*~*~ Countless memories of partying, making friends and acquaintances and working at Woody's will always be with me. Even years after leaving Cincinnati, I took my family back to visit. My boys, who'd been told we were going to Woody's to visit Mommy's friend Buzzy, were soooo sadly disappointed because there was no sign of Woody or Buzz (Lightyear) ANYWHERE!!!
So, whether you're crying in your beer or raising a glass to memories of good times at Uncle Woody's, Cheers!
So, uh, Woody's is back.
i always liked to drink at woodys.i thought buzzy and the rest of the people (for the most part) were good.I think its a damned shame buzzy could not work something out with the tax man,he would have just wasted our tax money anyhow so if buzzy didnt pay screw ohio! to bad he got caught though I will miss drinking in the afternoon a beer or two maybe three if Its a good day.
Yeah, Woody's is open again. New ownership, but they are open.
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