Though the citywide smoking ban has been a breath of fresh air for Denver’s many nonsmoking bar- and club-crawlers since it went into effect July 1, many patrons of formerly smoke-filled dens have had some trouble adjusting.
Nonsmokers like myself have noticed the pleasantly odd phenomenon of visiting spots that once were thick with a nightly haze that now offer us a chance to see live music, hit the dance floor or simply enjoy a cocktail without sucking up lungfuls of secondhand smoke. (Bonus: After a visit to the Hi-Dive for a show last week, I headed home in the wee hours with the scent of shampoo still clinging to my hair. Amazing.)
“The smokers just adapt,” said Matt LaBarge, owner of the Hi-Dive at 7 S. Broadway. “It’s been kind of difficult for me, because I’m used to working and smoking, but even though we’ve had some complaints, I don’t think it’s keeping anyone away. And now people tend to gather outside to smoke and it really makes the place look happening from the street.”
Although most establishments report nothing more than a little grumbling overall, a few minor problems have emerged. Smoking is allowed on many patios around town, but finding out where the smokers can go – and conversely, where sensitive nonsmokers should avoid – has become a challenge.
Some bars, such as Spot Bar and Grill (98 S. Pennsylvania St.), have gone so far as to ask one nonsmoking patron to leave the establishment when she complained about the clouds of smoke on the once-breezy covered patio. At Charlie Brown’s Bar and Grill (980 Grant St.), the large smoker-friendly patio has taken virtually all the customers from the bar area.
CB’s was both celebrated and reviled for years for having one of the thickest brown clouds around, but it now sports new carpet and new paint, and the never-before-noticed smell of coffee wafting from behind the bar. Then again, the fresh scents may be the only upside for Patrick, the poor piano man, who spent a recent Thursday night playing to an almost completely empty bar as the chain-smoking patrons of the space all opted to be seated outdoors.
Several places have chosen to divide their patios to accommodate smokers and nonsmokers alike. Lodo’s Bar and Grill allows smoking on the rooftop patio downtown (1946 Market St.), but the Highlands Ranch location (8545 S. Quebec St.) has two separate patios, one of which has been designated nonsmoking. At Café Cero (1446 S. Broadway) and the Irish Snug (1201 E. Colfax Ave.), owners have assigned smoking status only to certain tables within their patios.
“We added additional seating to our patios in front and back, but designated a few of them as nonsmoking,” explained Andy Bercaw, owner of Café Cero. “I don’t want to punish nonsmokers who want to sit outside.”
For Jesse Morreale, owner of Mezcal restaurant at 3230 E. Colfax Ave. and La Rumba nightclub at 99 W. Ninth Ave., the smoking ban has been a bit of a hassle.
“Mezcal allows smoking on part of the patio where it’s over 15 feet from the door, but now we have a new problem when people go outside to smoke and we end up with messy sidewalks,” he said. “It’s had a bigger impact at La Rumba, where we don’t have a patio. And it hurts the bar, because if people are going outside and smoking, they’re not inside drinking.”
There doesn’t seem to be an overall consensus about the ban. For every negative reaction, you’ll find an equally positive reaction.
“Our company had the best sales ever last month,” reported Paulina Szafranski, marketing director for downtown lounges Mynt, Monarck and 5 Degrees. Of the three, only 5 Degrees (1475 Lawrence St.) allows smoking on the rear patio. “To be honest, I love the smoking ban,” she said. “My dry cleaning bill has gone down so much!”
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-820-1568.
