Smokey Joe's is about to become smokeless.
Though Philadelphia's recent smoking ban allows for businesses that earn less than 10 percent of their revenue from food to apply for exemptions, none of the area's more popular bars meet the requirements.
That means Smokey Joe's, Blarney Stone, Cavanaugh's, Copabanana and Mad 4 Mex will all become smoke-free in the coming months. MarBar managers were not available to say as of last night whether the 40th and Walnut bar will be affected.
Mayor John Street has not said exactly when the city will begin to enforce the bill, but it is technically already in effect.
Street said when he announced the ban that a committee will be formed to determine how enforcement will be handled.
Owners and managers say they have not been notified by the city as to when enforcement will begin, and some have voiced concern about a possible loss of revenue.
Russell Thompson, manager of Mad 4 Mex - located at 3401 Walnut St. - said smokers will probably leave the restaurant sooner - and consequently order fewer drinks - as a result of the ban.
Cavanaugh's manager Brian Pawliczek agreed, saying that people may spend their time outside smoking instead of ordering drinks inside the bar.
Rich Roller, owner of Blarney Stone at 3929 Sansom St., said that although any loss in business will most likely be minimal, he is more concerned that the government is stepping in when it shouldn't.
"I always thought this was the kind of situation that should be a market-driven decision," Roller said. "They kind of hide behind employee health, . [but] it's not your right to have a job - it's your privilege to have a job."
The idea that patrons will drive to the suburbs to smoke - something that has been a cause of concern for some bars - seems to be a non-factor near Penn.
"Am I worried that Penn students are going to run across city lines? No," Smokey Joe's owner Paul Ryan said.
Still, it may be a while before the effects of the ban are fully realized, according to Street.
"I don't think we can just go out tomorrow and say, 'Voila, it's done'," he said in a press conference after signing the bill last Thursday. "I think businesses deserve some notice and we have to gear up in order to enforce the bill, which we will do."
