|
|
|
|
|
|
hobokeni.com - FEATURE ARTICLE
|
|
Written By: Joe Concha
|
Archived Articles & Reviews >>>
|
|
|
|
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
|
|
|
Written by: Joe Concha
|
|
|
No one would confuse humble Hoboken as the social juggernaut that is New
York, particularly when it comes to its clubs and bars. However, one truth in
regards to what separates a popular bar from a dead one remains universal: A
line full of eager patrons parked outside of a drinking establishment tends to
tweak the curiosity of those looking for the "in" place around town, instead of
repelling them.
Ultimately, any bar owner will say that a long procession of people waiting
to enter a joint will always beat any drink special or band lineups in the
advertising game of word-of-mouth.
These days, Hoboken's social scene is as popular as 65-degree winter days.
Friday and Saturday in particular transform some parts of Hoboken from a quaint
and quiet mile square to something resembling Jake Ryan's house in that party
scene in Sixteen Candles
Hoboken's surprisingly coveted social distinction as the number one party
town in New Jersey has helped it reach new heights of consumption of beverages
other than Snapple. This aggressive drinking periodically leads to sloppy love
connections and napkin exchanges of home numbers and emails. Some trysts even
lead to the occasional impromptu slumber party and the subsequent walk of shame
(or fame, depending on your success).
But for the large majority of those not lucky in finding Mrs. Right (or Mrs.
Right Now), the night ends with packs of empty-handed men heading home after
last call with a curious need to outwardly vent their frustrations, whether
that is in the form of language or urine.
This leads to noise: Loud, random, incoherent, almost tribal shrieks spewed
into the night for no apparent reason. For some of Hoboken's family-oriented
residents, live-in couples and early risers, matters have reached a boiling
point.
Consequently, one resident named Anne-Marie Pelletier of 10th and Willow (not
the bar, but the actual corner) has formed a group called Stop Toxic
Unnecessary Noise, or STUN.
"Drunks are noisy," Ms. Pelletier told the New York Times back in January.
"When they come to your neighborhood week after week and they pollute your home
with noise, you get angry. You get resentful."
This resentment prompted Ms. Pelletier to contact Mayor David Roberts to
propose a no-lines idea to keep the cacophonies to a minimum. The Mayor,
according to his media relations office, proceeded to call a meeting between
bar owners and local officials. At the end of the day, both parties agreed to
enforce a no-line policy within city limits.
However, three bar owners that were contacted have stated that no such
meeting and therefore, vote, ever took place.
"This (the no-line policy) materialized without any notice," says one bar
manager, asking not be identified.
Ironically, the policy has produced unexpected revenue for several parties,
including wireless voice providers. "One bar actually told us we couldn't stand
in front of their place to go in, but asked us for a cell phone number they
could call us back at when the bar was less packed," Hoboken resident Chris
Franklin chuckled when explaining one approach bouncers are trying in an effort
to appease customers without violating the policy.
Since bar-goers are told by bouncers to disperse from the door and areas
around an overcrowded bar, the result is proving to be profitable for smaller,
less frequented bars located adjacent or within close proximity. Obviously, the
owners of the more popular establishments feel they are being penalized for
their success.
"I think it's crazy you would ask businesses to turn away business," says
Madison Bar and Grill owner Dave Carney. "Why should mediocre bars benefit from
our success?"
Mayor Roberts, an owner of several restaurants in town, scoffs at Carney's
argument, stating the policy is "of no economic consequence."
The no-line policy may be only the beginning in transforming Hoboken into a
modern- day version of Walnut Grove. The Mayor's office is reportedly
considering taking matters further in their efforts to curb the scourge that is
alcohol-fueled noise. The Hoboken Reporter has reported that city officials
recently threatened a 1 a.m. one-way the city's one-way door for bars from 2
a.m. to 1 a.m. following the "Small World Al-Co-Hol" bar crawl. Officials
argued the crawl produced "acts of lewdness, drunkenness or vandalism,"
although no noise summons or arrests were made according to the Hoboken Police
Department.
Preventing people from being loud before they enter the bar while waiting on
line (and still relatively sober) is not at issue and therefore not answer,
according to one resident.
"The lines aren't the problem when it comes to noise," explains Don Deluca, a
27-year old who lives on Washington Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave. "It's the
losers who make asses of themselves on their way home. Do something about
them."
Deluca's argument seems to make the most sense in resolving this matter and
improving the quality of life around Hoboken without hurting successful
businesses around town.
Until more law enforcement are added upon closing time to keep the peace, an
ineffective form of saloon socialism will continue to rule HobokenŠ a small
town that sits in the shadow of the social capital of the world whose
economy‹whether elected officials chose to accept it or not‹is largely driven
by (gasp) the food and alcohol purchased by its younger residents and visitors.
Please send all comments, questions and corrections to
features@hobokeni.com and we'll be glad to forward them.
|
|
