The Royale Bar and Grill, Tavern and Restaurant

The Question

I am taking an informal poll amongst my finer customers. What are your thoughts on going smoke-free? At the Royale? Feel free to go into detail, but please be civil. For the record, I really like smokers.

The current policy allows smoking anytime indoors at the bar and outside anytime and anywhere. After dining hours, smoking is allowed at the tables. This is an update of the policy last year, which allowed smoking anywhere at any time. The indoor room is small, with a capacity of 49.

At the Royale, we like to solicit input from the customer to help improve the experience. We conducted the sampling without prior announcement to the email lists.

Hypothesis

We expected this poll to come back even between the different policies, with many responses being non-committal.

The Sampling

The Royale listserv is made up of customers who have voluntarily signed up for the electronic newsletter over the past two and a half years. Most signed up using the comment cards, while others signed up via the web. The total list serve is of 550 people. 155 people voluntarily responded to the poll.

The Royale Myspace page poll was put out as a bulletin. (The Royale has about 1100 friends on Myspace.)

The Venue

The Royale Food and Spirits is a full-service restaurant that has been open for nearly three years, and has operated as a restaurant for over two and a half years. It is located in highly dense, robust and diverse area of South Saint Louis. The Royale is relatively reflective of the area, with the vast majority of the clientele hailing from the surrounding neighborhoods. There is a mixture of young professional, blue collar, service industry, new residents and old. The age range changes throughout the day with the majority of the older clientele and families drawn in for food and drink during lunch and dinner hours. The demographic skews younger as the hour gets later, with the median in the 30s, but many in their 20s and 40s.

The Royale is mainly a bar, with approximately 70% of the revenues coming from alcohol. It was originally a corner tavern, and has been a fixture in the neighborhood since Prohibition. The core neighborhood tavern tradition has been not only retained, but it is stronger than ever. The place is open every night until 1:30 a.m. and midnight on Sundays. There is a crowd in the house the entire day, which continues well into the later hours.

We considered going smoke-free when the Royale was created in 2005, but we decided against this out of fear of the potential negative economic impact. At peak bar time hours, (after 10 p.m.), the vast majority of the clientele is smoking cigarettes.

It is also to be noted that the owner of the Royale lives above the restaurant in the true public house tradition. He does not smoke.

The Results

In the first three minutes after the email poll was sent out, there were five responses. Within the first 45 minutes there were 35 responses. Most of the responses came back within 36 hours. There are still responses coming in, about two or so daily. As of the printing of this report, there were 155 responses. There have been many verbal opinions expressed as well, but we are not going to include them in this survey due to the fact we are unable to accurately tally these opinions. However, the verbal opinions did not seem to vary from the email poll.

The responses fall into these categories:

Keep the current policy of smoking indoors: 9 total votes 6% of the respondents

These respondents indicated that they were in support of smoking indoors and/or they would come less if we went smoke-free. Of these, one respondent wanted us to go back to allowing smoking at the tables, indoors, anytime. All of these people indicated that they are smokers.

Smoke free: 146 total votes 94% of the respondents

Of these respondents, 15 of them volunteered the information that they are smokers. Seven of the responses that were included in the smoke-free tally did not give a clear answer, but indicated that they would not come any less if a smoke-free policy were in place.

It is interesting to note that there were more smokers (15) who supported smoke-free indoors than smokers (9) who wanted us to retain the indoor smoking policy.

The Responses

The responses ranged from short and simple to passionate. I have categorized the responses for those in support of indoor smoking and those who support smoke-free.

Again, here is the question that was asked:

I am taking an informal poll amongst my finer customers. What are your thoughts on going smoke-free? At the Royale? Feel free to go into detail, but please be civil. For the record, I really like smokers.

Here are some of the 9 respondents who want to keep smoking inside:
This first batch is of the most the vocal.

The smoke nazis, are infringeing (sic) on smoker's rights. After all if they snub out smoking what do they go after next? Please keep on smoking, plus not smoking at the tables at lunch is uncool.

-name withheld, via email
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We usually try to avoid going anywhere where smoking is looked upon. Please respect the wishes of the many people who enjoy going to your establishment to have a good time.

-Route66Ry “friend” via Myspace
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Non smoking bars suck! I don't go to bars that won't let me smoke inside...It's only becomes an issue in the winter, I don't want to freeze while spending my hard earned money on drinks. If that's the case I will opt to stay home smoke inside and save money.

-Sheena “friend” via Myspace
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My friends and I (most of whom are smokers and expensive drinkers LOL) go to the bar to relax and alow (sic) ourselves to get away from the pressures and BS of everyday life. If this is going to become one more place where someone else's lifestyle/politics is going to pushed on us and we are told that we have to go stand outside to relax, have a nice evening, and spend a lot of money - then we will gladly do it in another establishment that doesn't mind us enjoying a cigarette with our beers ANYWHERE in the establishment.

-Johnny “friend” via Myspace

It is noted that the above responses make some very interesting inculpatory assertions. It is also should be noted that all but one of the above responses were from Myspace.
Some of the handful of other responses for the smoking indoor policy:

I like the current policy...

-DV, well-known and valued regular patron
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Steve—I know smoking stinks, but our trips to the Royale would be decreased. If we stumble across a non-smoking bar we will have one drink then leave. Smoking bars are just more fun. We have found non-smoking bars are quiet, less lively, more fragmented. But when the weather is nice we will come have a sub-continental and a goat burger on the patio. Right now the Royale is where we hang out if we go out for a drink. I would hate to give it up, but I understand.

-D Na, well-known and valued regular patron
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If you go to a bar, expect there to be smoke, I've always thought. I've gone home rubbing my eyes once or twice, but generally your establishment is well-ventilated, with the back door cracked or however.

"Dim lights, thick smoke, and loud, loud music
Is the only kind of world, you'll ever understand"...(who did that - New Riders Of The Purple Sage?)
-Tony, well known and valued regular patron

Here are some of the 146 responses for those in support of smoke free:

Of these responses, we categorized them into the following categories: general responses, smokers in support of smoke-free and those who work/have worked in the industry.

General responses:

Although having recently gone smoke free myself, I still harbor a lot of affinity for that habit that's coaxed me along for the last 12 or so years. We as Americans have a romanticized notion of smoke and smoking. I'm still working on what to do with that; I liked it a lot, dad gum it. But even when I was in the throes that enjoyment, I was excited to hear you were trying a non-smoking night from 5-10 some Monday about a month ago.

-James, well-known and valued regular

The next response came from a regular patron who spends most of his month in Chicago in the newly smoke-free state of Illinois.

Since the ban came into effect here I find going out to be enjoyable again. I ate at a bar on Tuesday and it was sooo much better. I used to avoid eating there because of the smoke. On Friday I saw a band play at Pontiac, which used to be a very smoker friendly crowd. The band asked how many people hated the new ban and about 6 or 7 people yelled. Then they asked how many people liked the ban and the entire room erupted in yells and applause. Then everyone looked around in surprise. I think it is one of those things that no one really expected would make much of a difference but now that it is in effect almost everyone is happy to have it. I know smoking has decreased in bars over the last year due to the pending ban. It gave a lot of people a good reason to stop smoking and they are happy for it. I would love to see a city or state ban down there. I'm seriously thinking of moving back after school and that is actually a deterrent.

-Paul, well known and valued regular patron
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These are some interesting responses from people who work/have worked in the bar industry:

Hi Steve,

I like smokers too, but I sure hate the smoke. It has, on numerous occasions, ruined many of my meals, completely penetrated my clothes with an unbearable stench, and undoubtedly entered my lungs to do whatever damage it cared to do. A non-smoking atmosphere would be very appealing to me and the odds are that you would see me more often.

As an ex-smoker and also a previous bar/restaurant owner, I understand your awkward position. My suggestion: do not do anything immediately—wait until early Spring—then ban all inside smoking, but allow smoking outside in rear area—provide a smoker's bench, possibly covered for rainy days, along with proper disposal receptacles—in the Fall add a little more protection from the elements (and possibly heat)—how about a bonfire on certain nights?—hot spiced rum promo or hot chocolate. In summary, move the smoke outside without alienating the smoker.

See you soon,

-John, regular and valued patron and former restaurant owner
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Dear Steven,

Since you asked

I think it's trendy right now—it sounds crazy but I worked at the atomic cowboy and it became something that made us stand apart—there aren't enough bars jumping on the bandwagon in Missouri to make this seem like, well , you are jumping on the bandwagon.

Like Atomic, you enjoy a patio for the smoker to find refuge. Especially once the weather is nice!!

One thing I can say, as a ten year veteran bartender, I never considered the effects of a non-smoking joint until I worked in one. I didn't get as tired after a long shift, the place looked better, food tasted/smelled better and my smoker's cough (I am a non-smoker) subsided. Until I started working at Broadway Oyster bar shortly after that lol.

Anyway—as a patron and someone of the industry—I support it.

Hope this helps,

-Becca, regular and valued patron*
I would be thrilled if the Royale went smoke-free inside. {There is always the patiofor smokers!}

-Jen, regular and valued patron and former owner of popular smoky late night rock and roll bar/venue.

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YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can appreciate your feelings for our smoking brethren, some of my best friends are smokers, BUT, one of the reasons that the Royale would be a good candidate is that you have that lovely outdoor area. The smokers rule most of the establishments in this part of the world. You would be making but a small step toward balancing the numbers. And, smoke-free is the future. I know that you a forward thinking bloke. I would be sooo much more likely to hang there if you did. It has pretty much become a requisite for me. Not that I go out much, but I almost feel like I didn't go out when I go to a place that doesn't allow it, like a pain free hangover.

As Mike Jordan would say: Just do it.

-Darren, known semi-regular and valued patron, longtime musician/rock star and former rock club talent buyer/manager

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Yo Steve!

I'm all for it.

I feel as if I can speak freely and unbiased on this matter considering I was a smoker for over a decade.

I work as a bartender, and can honestly say that while it (the smoke), doesn't bother me too much while I'm slinging drinks, I definitely feel it, smell it, and curse it the next morning.

It's a bummer that I gave up smoking four and half years ago in the hopes of living a healthier, happier, smoke-free lifestyle only to have smoke blown in my face on a nightly basis, not only at work, but at other establishments as a customer.

As far as bar owners worrying about the hit business may or may not take, I personally feel that as long as an adequate smoking area is provided, it won't be a problem. I'm sure that all the reasonable smokers out there, would be cool with stepping outside for a few. Heaters on the patio in the winter months should provide a safe and hopefully warm haven for smokers to suck down a quick smoke and not have to expose the rest of us to the dangers.

Hopefully, Missouri will take a page out of our neighboring state's book and get with the program banning smoking in bars and restaurants altogether. But until then, I intentionally seek out bars in Saint Louis that already have when possible.

-Joshua C., regular valued patron and occasional DJ

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And here are some more opinions from valued regulars.

I like smokers myself, but I don't like the smoke.

I will say this: sometimes—only sometimes—we don't come down because we're not in the mood for the smoke (it's one hurdle—one thing that goes into the equation when you ask yourself: do I fix myself a drink here, or do I go see what's kicking down the street—if I stay here, I don't have to wash my clothes and/or take a shower at the end of the night).

I don't know, Steve. Tough, tough call.

That being said, you do have a very nice outdoor area. I think the key is, if you do go no-smoke, you want to strive to provide SUPERIOR smoking accommodations (you can trademark that one, Steve, that's a freebie). I think that would be noticed and appreciated by smokers. Let's face it. They're a core constituency of bar-goers. I would talk to lots and lots of them before you make the call. Heck, give smokers something extra outside. What I'm saying is, devise a WIN-WIN here. How is it going at Off Broadway?

That being said, I think there are lots of drinkers who would prefer to take their drinks without the smoke.

Love to hear your thoughts on it someday.

It's only a matter of time before we legally go smoke-free anyway.

-Tim, well known valued regular patron and Royale advisor

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Good Luck Bro!

I'm all for smoke-free establishments, but it can be tough on the bottom line at first.
I think you've got a pretty sophisticated clientele, which nowadays equates more to a more non-smoking and healthy living type. So you would fare much better than say, (name of business withheld). Heard anything about any STL city laws regarding smoke free public spaces coming up?

Anyway, again good luck deciding this one.

-Kevin, longtime Southsider patron of everything

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First, I'm honored to be anyone's finer anything.

Second, even as a former smoker, smoke generally doesn't bother me (I don't even notice it most of the time), so I may not be a good barometer on this. Having typed that, I can think of a place or two around town that my little group doesn't patronize partially because of the smoke (e.g., The Mack) or places I go even though I notice that they tend to get a little smoky at the end of the evening (e.g., the Tin Can), but smoke has never been an issue for me at the Royale. I can't stress that enough—I've never thought that the Royale was terribly smoky.

If you're on the fence, I suggest employee health should be a final factor. Obviously, many (if not most) bartenders and servers are smokers and don't care about breathing second-hand smoke, but an employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment for his/her employees.

It may sound patronizing to help someone who doesn't want it, but I think back to a work incident in which I was involved years ago: I was assigned to clean something, so I made a mixture of bleach, ammonia, and other cleaning chemicals I found that I was going to use in an unventilated room. At 19, I couldn't have cared less if that posed a huge threat to my health or that it would definitely cause respiratory/pulmonary problems if I did it consistently over a long time—I was indestructible and wanted to get the job done efficiently. Fortunately, the manager (a fine Rockhurst Man for Others) wouldn't let me do it. I was ticked at the time, but in the long run I'm glad he was looking out for my health.

-P-bu, known and valued regular patron

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Cigarettes are yucky. They make your clothes stinky and your respiratory system ouchy.

-Marcia, known and valued regular patron
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You have to put your civil rights above those of others when it can have a serious and potentially deadly effect on your life.

-Jen, known and valued regular patron
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Interesting take on the support for the smoke-free. Many of the smokers support smoke free:
I'm fine either way, if Austin can do it so can we....I personally
like my smokes with my brews, but I can go outside just the same....

-Brian, known regular patron and former operator of popular Austin Texas rock club and currently employed in the supply side of the industry
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My experience in smoke-free bars in other cities has been very positive. I smoke sporadically/socially, and haven't minded stepping to the curb for a break, even in the cold. Also, since you tend towards fires outside in the chilly months, the cold shouldn't really be a factor anyway.

In a small room like the Royale, clear air is at a premium. It's the wave of the future!

-JWT, known regular valued patron and occasional DJ
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As a smoker who most of the time smokes while spinning (hence can't get away from the turntables for very long to smoke), I don't really have a problem with you going smoke-free. I think you'll have a few complainers but eventually it will all settle down. You do have a beer garden they can go to.

-Mark, well known valued regular patron and DJ

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You might not believe me after that one night I stayed up ‘til 6 smoking my brains out, but I really don't smoke, and I don't like it in restaurants! To tell you the truth, that is one reason I don't frequent the Royale more often, because it's VERY smoky. So that's my vote! Don't get me wrong—I still come in for meetings and other things, but I'd be more likely to come in for dinner, etc., if it were non-smoking.

Thanks for asking,

-Meghan, known and valued regular patron

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I would totally favor a non-smoking Royale. I'd patronize it often. Do it.

-Aaron (smoker), well known regular who hosts many events at the Royale

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Hi Steve,

Even as a smoker, I have no problem with frequenting a smokeless restaurant/bar. It's a nasty habit to which others need not be subjected.

Both Boston and Philadelphia now have smoke-free laws for bars and restaurants. In both of those places, I don't think it's really hurt business one bit.

Also, I think it's nice for your employees not to be exposed to all of that second-hand smoke shift after shift.

I doubt that it would have an effect on business, especially if you permit smoking on the patio in back.

Just my $.02.

-Matt, semi-regular and valued patron

Case Examples and Possible Scenarios

The Royale has not made an official decision. We are still eliciting feedback from employees and checking out other studies. There are a few local examples that would encourage both policy decisions.

There are already popular places that have gone smoke-free , but also primarily serve alcohol,such as the Atomic Cowboy, 33, The Church Key and Erato. They have done well with these policies, but each has a different clientele than the Royale.

There is the other example—Balabans—that went smoke-free back in January of ’07, and they lost a significant amount of their bar revenue. About seven months later, after a big hit to the bar business, they went back to the old policy of smoking indoors. The ownership even put out ads in the paper telling people of the indoor smoking policy. Still, Balabans—a West End institution for 30 years—went out of business last month. Much can be discussed about the demise of this business.

These are the possible scenarios of different policies:
#1 Keep the current smoking policy: that is, smoking at the indoor bar only until 10 p.m. and anywhere indoors after.
#2 Expand the indoor smoking to anywhere indoors, anytime.
#3 Go smoke-free everywhere.
#4 Go smoke-free indoors only, all the time, with smoking allowed only outside in the courtyard.
#5 Go smoke-free indoors only during warm weather.
#6 Go smoke-free until 10 p.m. indoors.
There are also combinations of the above scenarios that have been discussed, such as going smoke-free until 10 p.m., and then after this trial period, deciding based on the business patterns whether or not to go smoke-free altogether.