18 replies to this topic

[ppsailor01]

No. Perhaps you haven't heard about a new law in Washington?

You can still smoke cigars at Shelly's http://www.shellysdc.com/

[Jacques Gastreaux]

My understanding is that the new DC smoking ban is crafted in such a way that Shelly's is the only establishment in town where smoking is permitted. Apparantly, they can include the revenue from those humidor/cigar lockers that line the east wall in whatever formula that is used to determine whether a place qualifies for the exception. I suppose another establishment could mimic Shelly's cigar locker motif and qualify.

[jpschust]

Anyone know how the food is? I'm considering leasing a humidor there, but haven't ever eaten there.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Anyone know how the food is? I'm considering leasing a humidor there, but haven't ever eaten there.

I would characterize the food as basic bar food. Great wings and burgers. I've never had anything beyond the bar food. I go to sit on the sofas or easy chairs and smoke a cigar and sip a single malt.

[legant]

What about Ozio on M Street? They've advertized as a "cigar" bar since they moved to that location.

My understanding is that the new DC smoking ban is crafted in such a way that Shelly's is the only establishment in town where smoking is permitted.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

"Tobacco bars" are not subject to the smoking ban. The DC implementing legislation defines a "tobacco bar" as:

a restaurant, tavern, brew pub, club, or nightclub that generates 10% or more of its total annual revenue from the on-site sale of tobacco products, excluding sales from vending machines, or the rental of on-site humidors.

Apparantly, Shelly's can meet the 10% test by including the revenue from renting on-site humidors. Here is a link to the Act.

So, if you go into Shelly's make sure you buy a cigar from them, to help them remain "unique."

PS: I do not know if Ozio can meet the test. I doubt it because they don't have humidors for rent.

[ppsailor01]

My gf loves the chicken and I think the crab cakes are pretty good.

[DaveBVI]

Sandwich specials & daily specials always pretty good. My fav is the cuban sandwich. They have an excellent top shelf liquor program. Pretty much the "cigar tent" that the Govenator (Aaanold) said DC/white house should have.
Dave "we smoke em in the street in SF" Batista

[FunnyJohn]

I had the steak the other day - NY Strip pretty good and large though pricey: $28, as I recall. Ozio also is exempt according to the guy at JRs.

[WWZ]

"Tobacco bars" are not subject to the smoking ban. The DC implementing legislation defines a "tobacco bar" as:Apparantly, Shelly's can meet the 10% test by including the revenue from renting on-site humidors. Here is a link to the Act.

So, if you go into Shelly's make sure you buy a cigar from them, to help them remain "unique."

PS: I do not know if Ozio can meet the test. I doubt it because they don't have humidors for rent.

I believe Ozio's is exempt - I was there a few weeks a go and there was a lot of smoking going on. The act exempts "tabacco bars" that are defined as receiving 10% or more of their annual revenue from on-site sale of tabacco products (excluding from vending machines) - not only the rental of on-site humidors.

Now, has anyone been to Aroma recently? Are they exempt? I don't believe so since they had stopped selling cigars a while back.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Just to be clear:

Tobacco Sales + humidor rental revenue > 10% --> exempt tobacco bar

Tobacco Sales + humidor rental revenue < 10% --> covered by smoking ban

Establishments that do not have humidor rental revenue will have a harder time getting over the 10% threshold because they have to rely solely on tobacco sales. Ozio, because it does not have humidors, will have a harder time than Shelley's in meeting the 10% test. Also, the mayor has discretion to grant an exemption.

[WWZ]

Just to be clear:

Tobacco Sales + humidor rental revenue > 10% --> exempt tobacco bar

Tobacco Sales + humidor rental revenue < 10% --> covered by smoking ban

Establishments that do not have humidor rental revenue will have a harder time getting over the 10% threshold because they have to rely solely on tobacco sales. Ozio, because it does not have humidors, will have a harder time than Shelley's in meeting the 10% test. Also, the mayor has discretion to grant an exemption.

Ah, now I see what you meant by your earlier comment. Well Ozio must do quite well with their sale of cigars then.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Ah, now I see what you meant by your earlier comment. Well Ozio must do quite well with their sale of cigars then.

Either that or they have creative books and records.

[wolverine]

Either that or they have creative books and records.

$20 worth of free alcohol with the purchase of a $35 cigar anyone?

[Jacques Gastreaux]

$20 worth of free alcohol with the purchase of a $35 cigar anyone?

That would be creative. But if I were in charge of auditing their claim of an exemption, I would call "bullshit" on such a maneuver. Is that reallly what they do?

[DaveBVI]

All items in POS (Point of Sale)systems are automatically "coded" to a specific category, food, sandwiches, dessets, tobacco, etc not only for tax purposes, but also for management tracking, labor costs, etc. Much easier to get away with is to "accidentally" code, hmm, say, tanguerray to tobacco sales, bob's your uncle, and you go from 9.7% sales to 10.2 %. Shelly's squeaked by without any fudging of the books due to locker sales AND they ring in their cigarette sales at the POS, not using an automatic ciggy machine (which can't check ID's). Anyhow, I think the mayor granted several exemptions to Shee-Sha bars (or Chi-Cha-a middle eastern pipe). Oh, and when the weather turns nicer, you can still smoke in outside sections, like roofs in Adams Morgan, or waterfront bars in GT and SW. OK, my dime is up.
Dave

[laniloa]

Doesn't Ozio's charge ridiculous amounts for bottles of booze? I seem to recall the bottle menu started at something like $180 for something you could buy for $20. If people go for that, they might buy a $200 cigar.

[JLK]

That's for "bottle service." You get the booze plus the right to monopolize a table. Awesome. (yes, I'm being sarcastic)

[laniloa]

That's for "bottle service." You get the booze plus the right to monopolize a table. Awesome. (yes, I'm being sarcastic)

Not much of a stretch to buy a cigar plus the right to monopolize the table.