Private Smoking Bars in Austin (coop, restaurants, design)

[AguaDulce]

Since it looks like the ban on patio smoking will likely pass, how about we revisit the idea of allowing the owners of certain bars to decide whether or not to allow smoking inside?

Austin might ban smoking on bar and restaurant patios | www.statesman.com

In my business model, the bar would be cooperatively owned. It would be a private club. The only "employees" would be the owners.

Here are a couple of bars that are cooperatively owned. These are different than mine in that they hire people to work there and they are smoke-free.

Black Star Co-op Pub & BreweryBlack Star Co-op

https://riverwestpublichouse.wordpress.com/membership/

I think it's a workable compromise.

[MiaMia411]

I know back when i was in NJ they banned smoking everywhere, BUT you are allowed to smoke outside or in designated areas. To completely ban it all together is dumb, i am an ex smoker and as much as i hate the smell of smoke now , i feel its fair that everyone be treated fairly.

Hopefully they come to some kind of common sense terms.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by AguaDulce

Since it looks like the ban on patio smoking will likely pass, how about we revisit the idea of allowing the owners of certain bars to decide whether or not to allow smoking inside?

Austin might ban smoking on bar and restaurant patios | www.statesman.com

In my business model, the bar would be cooperatively owned. It would be a private club. The only "employees" would be the owners.

Here are a couple of bars that are cooperatively owned. These are different than mine in that they hire people to work there and they are smoke-free.

Black Star Co-op Pub & BreweryBlack Star Co-op

https://riverwestpublichouse.wordpress.com/membership/

I think it's a workable compromise.

You do realize this article is 2 years old, right?

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

You do realize this article is 2 years old, right?

The issue is still on the table.

What do you think of my idea for a compromise, if this outdoor smoking ban passes?

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by AguaDulce

The issue is still on the table.

What do you think of my idea for a compromise, if this outdoor smoking ban passes?

Are you asking if bars and restaurants have a coop model, they should be exempt from a ban?

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

Are you asking if bars and restaurants have a coop model, they should be exempt from a ban?

A cooperatively-owned bar that is a private club. In order to enter the bar you would have to be either one of the owners or a member. The only workers would be owners.

[TexasHorseLady]

I think we should go back to the admirable compromise that the City of Austin had before should be reinstated. If only the "we say we don't want to be exposed to second hand smoke but if that problem is solved we're still going to scream if anyone else gets to smoke anywhere in public" crowd will let it happen or the City Council will recognize their true motivation and reinstate something that was actually fair to everybody, customers, smoking employees, and owners alike.

[AguaDulce]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I think we should go back to the admirable compromise that the City of Austin had before should be reinstated. If only the "we say we don't want to be exposed to second hand smoke but if that problem is solved we're still going to scream if anyone else gets to smoke anywhere in public" crowd will let it happen or the City Council will recognize their true motivation and reinstate something that was actually fair to everybody, customers, smoking employees, and owners alike.

But doesn't that leave open the argument about protecting non-smoking employees?

[TexasHorseLady]

Not really. That was a red herring used by the "don't let anybody do something I disapprove of anywhere in public even if I'm not exposed to it" crowd.

There are hundreds of no-smoking venues in Austin at which non-smoking employees can work. The compromise allowed employees who smoke (no, really, there are employees of bars who smoke? Who knew?), or who don't care if they are exposed to second-hand smoke, to have a a few places to work without feeling like second-class citizens. There was, after all, a big sign on the front door that stated that a smoking allowed establishment allowed smoking, so they weren't tricked into working there any more than customers were.

[TexasHorseLady]

Apparently there is at least one cigar lounges in Austin. (Here's hoping posting this doesn't get them picketed for actually allowing customers to enjoy something.)

Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge