THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 31, 1995 TAG: 9503300163
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
What is going on with the bars in Virginia Beach? There seems to be an incessant promotion of festive drunkenness. The establishments in and around the Beach area will make use of any holiday or festival to promote their own means.
First, it was St. Patrick's Day. Quite a few people have Irish blood mixed in their veins, but I haven't noticed a potato famine recently. Perhaps I was too caught up in the abundance of celebrations.
Next, it was Cinco de Mayo. Taco Bell started having specials for the month of May. Fine. The very next year, bars started advertising to come out and celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Half the people out celebrating this probably don't have a clue that this was the day Mexico declared independence from Napoleon's French army in 1862.
Then it was Mardi Gras. This is a carnival celebration for Florida, Mobile, Ala., and several cities on the Mississippi. It's mainly celebrated in New Orleans and has been since around 1857. Let it stay there. Ninety-eight percent of the people that partake in the festivities here probably have no idea what Shrove Tuesday (or ``Fat Tuesday'') is about or even care. Ash Wednesday might sound vaguely familiar; it would be more so if it were considered a drinking holiday.
As for the demise of bars on the strip, referred to as ``The Block'' by local still-heads, good riddance. I've been there several times over the years and it's the same scene it was four years ago: the same faces, only now they're a little older, a little more drunk and none the wiser.
Beach bars, give it a rest and give us a break. Keep all of your specials, parties and overpriced, watered-down drinks. Believe it or not, there are people in Tidewater who somehow survive without coming into your place of business. Some people actually spend time furthering their education and bettering themselves rather than drowning their dreams and ambitions in alcohol.
Mindless ``partying'' geared toward the ``in crowd'' on the ``beach scene'' - now that's ``hip.'' Grow up!
Kelly S. Todd
Virginia Beach by CNB