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A Seattle bar says once Google Glass comes out, it won't be welcome in their establishment. (AP Photo/file)

Seattle bar steps up as first to ban Google glasses

BY Jamie Skorheim  on March 8, 2013 @ 11:43 am (Updated: 12:33 pm - 3/8/13 )

They're not even available for purchase yet, but a Seattle bar has already said a new tech accessory from Google will not be allowed at their establishment.

Seattle's 5 Point Cafe posted a message to their Facebook page saying:

"For the record, The 5 Point is the first Seattle business to ban in advance Google Glasses. And [butt] kickings will be encouraged for violators."

Google Glass is a new product Google is developing. The eyewear can take pictures, video and display info like mapping directions and social conversations on the small eye viewer.

5 Point owner Dave Meinert acknowledges Seattle is a techie town and sooner or later folks around here will be walking around with the new shades.

"The 5 Point appeals to a wide variety of people," says Meinert. "Some of the tech geeks come here, we're close by Amazon [...] It's OK if you wear them. I just don't want them worn inside."

His main reason for the ban has to do with preserving patrons' privacy.

"You have to understand the culture of The 5 Point which is a sometimes seedy, maybe notorious place and I think people want to go there and be not known," says Meinert, who says patrons of The 5 Point certainly don't want to be secretly videotaped.

"Part of this is a joke, to be funny on Facebook and get a reaction, but part of it is serious because we don't let people film other people or take photos unwanted of other people in the bar because it's kind of a private place people go."

Google Glass is not available for sale yet, but reports say the specs will be available for purchase by the end of 2013.

Watch Google Video - Google Glass: How it feels:

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
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Comments (13)


  • Add A Comment

  • shark75 wrote...
    I'd like to see any business owner ban the girl in the picture from ordering a drink at their bar
    March 8, 2013 11:37 am
    Everyone else? Keep steppin' brother. You're a loser.... "Oh, you work for GOOGLE!? Good for you, leave now before we dunk your head in the deep fryer!"
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sohojo wrote...
    I'd be happy
    March 8, 2013 1:39 pm
    to buy her a drink and play with her glasses.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    I wonder how many of these glasses will accidently on purpose get broken?
    March 8, 2013 11:43 am
    Just saying.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Dude Abides wrote...
    It seems to me...
    March 8, 2013 12:00 pm
    that if this guy is admitting that his bar is "seedy" and "notorious", than maybe techie glasses aren't what he should be worring about. If his patrons are doing things that shouldn't be recorded, than maybe his bar shouldn't be open. Just sayin.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Raymong wrote...
    Cool glasses
    March 8, 2013 12:39 pm
    but boy will they ever be missed used. Anyone with thinking capibilities can see this train wreck coming. The lawyers will love it though.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cdbtx wrote...
    I'll actually
    March 8, 2013 3:39 pm
    be in line for these... one of the coolest things I've seen in years....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Pressman wrote...
    The Five Point
    March 8, 2013 4:33 pm
    is one of the best bars in seattle... and if some idiot wants to ruin everyone elses goodtime by posting video without their consent, then please do it elsewhere- privacy may be a dying concept, but it ain't dead yet...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    see through
    March 8, 2013 4:48 pm
    now that would be fun!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • black_bart wrote...
    I find this a little bit funny......
    March 8, 2013 5:32 pm
    Concerns for patron privacy, how many private and government run cameras does their average patron have to drive/walk by to get to the bar. The same idiots that complain about these are probably the ones that want cops to have to have video of their entire working life. You can't have it both ways. Just live your life like there is always a camera on you and you will never have a problem, and a better life I would imagine.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • black_bart wrote...
    and just a side note.....
    March 8, 2013 5:33 pm
    does this bar also ban cell phones and digital cameras, or is it just this new device?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    Banning
    March 8, 2013 6:17 pm
    these glasses is completely illegal. I see a lawsuit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rangerhawk wrote...
    You'll know it's an issue when....
    March 8, 2013 10:34 pm
    Some meat-gazer is sporting them next to you or your kid at the urinal
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }