NABC Pizzeria & Public House now smokeless.

That's right: As of Monday, January 3, NABC's original Pizzeria & Public House location (Sportstime and Rich O's for the old-timers) is a smoke-free facility (except for Rauchbier, Smoked Porter and the like). Follow the link for more:

http://potablecurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-end-of-era-on-friday-at-pizzeria.html

This is our decision, and we believe it places us on the right side of history. Facebook feedback has been favorable thus far, although it's true that we've lost a handful of regulars. I hope they reconsider, because we're going to be doing a lot of cool things this year: More house beers on tap, more local Indiana & Louisville beers on tap, a new bottle list organized according to style ... and, of course, the 13th edition of Gravity Head is only seven weeks away.

Good decision Roger. I bet many , if not most of your patrons will thank you for it. Not to mention your employees that can now work in a smoke free environment.

[Robin Garr]

More hails and loud hosannahs from here, Roger. It's tough to have to make a decision like this, but it's the way the winds are blowing, and frankly, for every one you lose I think you'll gain five. Frankly, although I love to visit NABC, the pizza side has been pretty much off my radar because of smoking. I try not to be a smoking Nazi, but I don't find a smoky environment comfortable or pleasant and I'll quietly avoid it if I can.

The mild irony is that the major factor tipping the decision proved to be the employees, many of whom smoke. Increasingly we were seeing a wait for the smoke-free front room at the Public House, and a nearly empty pizzeria seating area (where smoking was allowed). Obviously, servers did not want to work the empty area and come away with fewer tips. Staffing was becoming a genuine issue.

For a long time we've struggled with this. Personally, I've always been inclined to take the side of the smokers, not so much because I smoke cigars myself, but because they're always villified as evil corrupters of clean air, and I pull for underdogs; I know it's not so much "evil" as the nicotine talking for them.

What finally became evident to us was the financial implications, which speak to society as it is, and as it has become. I imagine we'll lose a few, but those who remain will be able to smell the food and taste the beer. We've been known to move slowly -- just so long as we get it right in the end.

I love the fact that you are now smoke-free. I appreciate it. I hope it opens things up on the Rich O's side too. Your analysis that financially it made sense to do even if (not yet) required by law is what I have always pointed out as the reason that smoking ban laws arent necessary. Smart, visionary owners will do it anyway and reap the extra profit they deserve.

Also, on a semi-unrelated note, with regard to your servers, many thumbs up to Jeff for doing a great job last Thursday night. Despite you all being understaffed apparently and a number of large groups showing up, he managed to make things happen for a group of 16. The service at NABC has always been top notch, but I felt Thursday went even above and beyond the norm.

and, of course, the 13th edition of Gravity Head is only seven weeks away.

Excellant choice.

Thank you. We will likely go more often now, because we won't have to take showers when we come home from the pizzeria smelling like an ashtray.

Well done Roger.

Was in Atlanta over the weekend and had the unpleasant surprise of being in a smoking-allowed bar. Glad I won't have that experience anymore at NABC.

The most overheard comment so far goes something like this: "Wait ... what's that smell ... hey, it smells like pizza in here."

As always, a smart move Roger.

Hooray! Mike and I went to NABC during Gravity Head 2 years ago and had a blast. We enjoyed the great beers and food, but decided we would not be going back because we left smelling so nasty. We will be putting NABC to the top of our "must do" list