BroadwayBK

Bars in which there is smoking

In New York, any remaining cigar bars have to have been open before December 31, 2001, and must make at least 10% of revenue from tobacco products and 60% from liquor sales.

Circa Tabac (http://www.circatabac.com/Site%204/Home.html) is the one of the only bars in the city where you can still smoke cigarettes, as is the hookah bar Karma (http://www.karmanyc.com/) on 1st Ave in the East Village.

Here's a more collective list of bars for smokers: http://gonyc.about.com/cs/barsnightlife/a/smokerfriendly.htm

Anyone have a personal favorite? I am guessing most people don't smoke - I recently quit completely - but these places have a certain appeal to many.

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8 Comments

uptowngirl Jan 29, 2010

@BroadwayBk I don't smoke and am a bit allergic to cigarette smoke though I do enjoy going to Karma more than their hookahs I love the DJ there who enjoys playing world music.

Uraniumfish Jan 29, 2010

I quit a couple of years ago but remember being very self-righteous about the smoking ban coming into effect. Now I don't mind much...

hhusted Jan 29, 2010

I'm not a smoker and do not want to attend any bars or restaurants where smokers hang out. I can't stand the smell of cigarettes.

BroadwayBK Jan 31, 2010

I just quit smoking (for good this time, I actually don't even want to go back), but Karma is a nice place for those who like a little hookah now and again. I think it's $15 for a hookah?

ajadedidealist Feb 01, 2010

Hookah seems quite big in the city, especially (from my and friends' experience) for young adults who might not wish to get "carded" for a drink. What do you all think of hookah? Do you enjoy it, or see it as a bit kitschy?

hhusted Feb 01, 2010

It seems to me Hookah is just a replacement for smoking a cigarette, the only difference is water is used. Actually, I did research on Hookah's for a client, and read that some people substitute water for tea. To me, it is still a device to encourage smoking. You still inhale and let out smoke. If I wanted to quit, I would stay away from anything that reminds me in inhaling anything related to smoke. But that is just me. If you enjoy it, more power to you.

uptowngirl Feb 01, 2010

I think hookah's have contain a mix of molasses, fruit and tobacco so essentially they are the same as smoking. Apparently there are only two all natural brands of hookah mixtures one made in the USA and the other in India! I wonder what all these hookah bars in the city use? Personally I dont care for hookahs but I know friends who are fans both here as well as overseas. http://reviews.ebay.com/Hookah-Fans-Beware-of-Shisha-amp-Molasses-Scams_W0QQugidZ10000000002380768

BroadwayBK Feb 01, 2010

I don't think anyone is arguing that smoking a hookah is somehow different from smoking. I briefly worked at a hookah bar that is no longer on the Lower East Side, and so I've sort of had my fill of just about every flavor - and I have to say that apple is always the best for some reason. I have no idea what brands they used there but I do know that they ordered in bulk and were making a killing for what they were charging, as I'm sure most hookah bars do. I've never considered it kitschy but I suppose I can see how it could be in a culture that hardly ever uses a hookah.