Have patios/decks become the de facto smoking area?

[Robin Garr]

I'm just thinking ... since the city's smoking ban in restaurants took effect and passed legal muster, have outdoor dining facilities - decks, patios and such - become the de facto smoking section? If this in fact has happened, are restaurants beginning to make accommodations by setting up separate outdoor-smoking and outdoor-non-smoking sections? Has anybody had the guts to declare the entire patio non-smoking? (That approach would gain my instant attention: Anyone who thinks smoking outdoors is okay has never tried to run the right-field gauntlet at Slugger Field.)

Anyway, I'm really curious about this and might be able to use some of the info in an article, so if any of you - consumers or restaurateurs and staff - have information or opinions about smoking in outdoor dining sections, please post on! (Or, if you prefer to express an opinion privately, hit me at rgarr@louisvillehotbytes.com or PM.)

hey robin. just an f.y.i. we went totally non-smoking, in and out, after the first "ordinance" was passed. when people ask if they can smoke on the deck, we just say "no, we are totally non-smoking". we get the occassional raised eyebrow over that, but can't remember the last time anyone really complained that they couldn't smoke out there.
andrew

" have outdoor dining facilities - decks, patios and such - become the de facto smoking section?"
Yes. Even diners seated inside are coming out to the decks and patios to smoke.

[Robin Garr]

Yes. Even diners seated inside are coming out to the decks and patios to smoke.

Jon, thanks for the reality check. It sounds to me like an environment that many non-smokers (me, for instance) would not particularly enjoy.

Thanks for your comment too, Andrew! Gives me one more reason to head over to Baxter Station on a summer evening!

This post has a lot of "views" but only a couple of responses. I home more of you will join in.

All of the Patio's in Lexington have become smokers patios......it might be a good idea to have a few no smoking joints inside and outside.......

Meridian Cafe's outdoor tables are all non smoking. We have gotten quite a few funny looks when we ask people not to smoke. Usually guests just step off of the property to smoke. This is when we ask them to step around back to smoke.(also our employee smoking area). Not to mention that guests entering the building have to walk through the smoke and the cigarette butts that have to be picked up by hand....eeewww. I am an ex-smoker so i know it is a bit of a put off, however, I have an asthmatic wife and two little girls, knowing that smoke won't bother them or any of our guests is a nice feeling.

My most recent experience with this trend was last Saturday night at Mellilo's. The food and service were terrific. We were at an outdoor table near the entrance and there was a steady parade of indoor diners coming out next to us to smoke. The wind was just strong enough to blow the smoke away, so I didn't ask any of these folks to move a little farther into the parking lot. However, I have had some good meals made unpleasant by this phenomenon.

I would happily give more of my frequent dining out dollars to restaurants where the patios are non-smoking. Patios have become de-facto smoking areas and it really takes away from the enjoyment of a meal outdoors. I'm pleased to know that Baxter Station has made their outdoor area smoke free and will be visiting soon.

Umm....by joint I mean establishment just to be clear.
At North End we are supposed to just tell them no except at the patio furniture and by the front door (where there are ashtrays provided) but the boss is also very sensitive to the diner's experience, so if a customer complains, he will willingly tell the smoker to put it out and be respectful of the diner. No contest. So maybe be more vocal? I mean, in SF you couldn't smoke within 10 yards of the establishment, because the outdoor seating was still dining. You still pay to eat outdoors, yes?

You want to dine outdoors and enjoy fresh air simultaneously? The City of the Seventies only has so much love to give.

Mojitos has a nice patio area, but it was marred last Friday night by a guy a couple of doors down the sidewalk smoking on his break from work (apparently). My wife and daughter were getting tired of it and I was going to comment to the server, but he went back inside. It was pretty windy and that made it worse in the breezeway.
I won't patronize smoky joints and still won't go to Bristol, Wicks, and other "hospitality" places that fought the smoking ban.

OOOhh Ward...I got flamed here big time by saying that! However, I agree with you. It's one thing to oppose it, it's another thing to not give any voice or consideration to employees and testifying in front of the council. I remember when the Churchill thing went down and we had a momentary "off" week for the smoking ban. That day, the guy fron Wick's was out on the sidewalk cheering and encouraging people to smoke! I will never, ever, patronize them again.

[Robin Garr]

OOOhh Ward...I got flamed here big time by saying that!

You did? Not by me, I hope!

Have gotten so used to enjoying the smoke free environs that it makes any smoke that blows in twice as noticeable. Have dined at several places recently that have left the door open between the deck and the main restaurant which has pulled the smoke back into the restaurant. If you shut them then servers have the constant hassle of balancing full trays of food while trying to open a door. A few discreet fans that would create some air movement on sheltered decks would help but I'm not going to complain.

This past weekend we really wanted to have breakfast on the patio at the North End but we ate inside instead because there was a guy on the patio smoking. I'm glad to know that the North End is sensitive to this issue though so maybe next time we'll give it a go in that situation and politely ask for some help avoiding smoke.