Seattle Bar Bans Google Glasses; Nerds Flip Out

Seattle dive bar 5 Point Cafe has preemptively banned Google Glass in what appears to be a massive marketing gimmick. The bar posted on Facebook last week, "For the record, The 5 Point is the first Seattle business to ban in advance Google Glasses. And ass kickings will be encouraged for violators." There's no word on whether they've had to enact the ass-kicking policy as yet, but it has become pretty clear the whole thing is a publicity stunt. Owner Dave Meinert told Seattle's KIRO that "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."

As it turns out, though, 5 Point does allow filming of its customers, so long as they're the ones doing it. GeekWire, which has been tracking the 5 Point ban, reports that just like every other bar in the country, 5 Point has surveillance cameras for security purposes. There are signs posted near the cameras alerting customers to the fact that they're being recorded.

All of this is somewhat moot as Google Glass — a creepy wearable computer device that has recording capabilities — won't be available to the public until at least the end of 2013. There are some prototypes out there now in the hands of the tech elite. (It's currently the ultimate nerd trophy with tech bigshots spotted wearing Google Glass all over the ongoing SXSWi.)

No matter: geeks and nerds across the nation are flipping out. The original post currently has 164 comments (although some support the ban). One commenter pondered, "So if Google comes out with a monocle would that be banned also?" "I get the humor but your hipster part of the country likes to argue about everything and feel they're entitled to whatever they want," wrote another. Below, a video from GeekWire in which Seattle residents share their thoughts on the ban.

Video: What Customers Think of a Seattle Bar Banning Google Glasses

· 5 Point Cafe [Facebook via ParisLemon]
· Google Glasses Banned [KIRO]
· What Customers Think of a Seattle Bar Banning Google Glasses [YouTube]
· Seattle Bar That Banned Google Glasses Has Its Own Surveillance Cams [Geekwire]
· All Publicity Stunts on Eater [-E-]