From an article dated October, 2000: "
...the undiminished restaurant boom, as New York City continues to see new bars and restaurants open at a record pace."
Was that before the smoking ban in NY? I think it was. Smoking was permitted at least in drinking places, e.g. La Guardia bar, in October 2000, but not in Oct 2003.
Oops. Missed the date. I know I read an article from the NY Post concerning a lot of new bars opening. I assumed that article referred to same issue. Let me see if I can find what I was looking for.