It was not a place I'd ever think about taking my girls when they were young, because you would hear some salty language (full disclosure, in a bar setting I think that's fine, and I wouldn't complain about it, I just wouldn't subject my kids to it).
Plus, my wife had no desire to go in because of all the smoke. Can't blame her for that. When I smoked it didn't bother me, but I quit 10 years ago, and after I quit I couldn't stand the smell.
It was basically just a place where you could get a good, cheap lunch or dinner, and a cold, cheap mug of beer or a shot.
But after I quit smoking I went there less and less until I just let my membership expire. But even with all that, I still stayed on an extra 3 or 4 years and never set foot in the door. I just payed my dues so I was eligible play in their golf league.
Same old story.
There will always be some folks who dont mind hanging out in a dark smokey place and drinking cheap booze.. and honestly there should be a man cave in communities, where men can be men around other men, salty language, bawdy behavior etc etc.
The problem is that the VFW’s, AMVETS etc are the mancaves of the 1950s. Smoking has gone from everyone does it to few do. Fathers have gone from not as active in their childrens lives, to very active in them (as a general rule). The mancave hasn’t adapted.. whether it be the VFW or AMVETS etc etc.