Non Smoking Happy Hour

[kmf563]

I'm looking for places that have happy hour specials on drinks, still serve food, and aren't incredibly overpriced. We don't really want to go to a restaurant. We are a large group but one quit smoking, I quit, one is trying to quit, and one is allergic. So we are moving to non smoking but don't want to pay $4 for a beer. Any suggestions?

[redrunner]

Does BWW have happy hour outside the separate smoking bar area, so like the main restaurant?

[Easy180]

Cheap and nonsmoking? Only place I can think of is Louie's on the Lake but it is not exactly large group friendly

[Eep]

You'll probably have to budge on either the "non-smoking" thing or the "not a restaurant" thing. The only establishment in OKC that I'm aware of that fits those two criteria is Michael Murphy's piano bar in Bricktown, but they're not open for happy hour.

If you're willing to consider restaurants that fit the rest of your requests, I really enjoy the atmosphere of the VZD's happy hour. For something closer to downtown, try Bricktown Brewery or Coach's.

[kmf563]

It's ridiculous that there isn't one happy hour place without smoking! Aren't we supposed to be workiing on a smoke free Oklahoma? And where are all these people who can't find a good place to hang out and smoke? VZD's would be perfect if they didn't come around and ask for a door fee at 7 or 8 depending upon who is playing. Restaurants don't have music, that's the problem with that. Plus you camp out in a waiter's section for more than 2 hours and don't order food they get kind of testy. Understandably, that's their money you are soaking up. We just want to listen to music, have conversation, maybe play some darts, a little bowling or golden tee and not choke on cigarette smoke. I think Hudsons needs to convert one location to nonsmoking. Use one of their low money making locations like Reno or Hefner. Edmond even. Somebody talk to Leath. haha.

BWW is perfect for sports though. We use that one.

[MikeLucky]

Norman has a bunch.... don't think that helps you much, but.... I'm just sayin' lol

[onthestrip]

Speakeasy has a no smoking area. I havent been in a while but I was thinking Cock o the walk went smoke free, may be wrong though. Cafe Nova is smoke free but is not exactly a happy hour type place IMO. What about Sapphire (the old Lit), they might be smoke free.

The sad thing about no smoking laws is that the state wont even allow a town or city to pass no smoking laws. I cant believe that with all the non essential legislation written this last session that there was nothing for banning smoking in public spaces. Oklahoma must love being one of the unhealthiest states.

[Eep]

I havent been in a while but I was thinking Cock o the walk went smoke free, may be wrong though.

I don't go there often either (because of the smoke, lol) but that would be pretty shocking, considering that the owner had some memorable things to say about the subject when it came up a couple years ago. Here's an example from the Journal Record:

Chris McGuire, who has owned the Cock O The Walk bar at 3705 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City for five years, urged the lawmakers to vote against SB 1875.

"The business down the street from me has been severely affected" by the 2003 law, said McGuire.

Myers had held a press conference on Feb. 6 to discuss SB 1875. The event was held at VZD's restaurant and club, at 4200 N. Western in Oklahoma City. VZD's owner Chad Bleakley said the first two years after the 2003 law went into effect, he lost as much as $80,000 a year as customers who wanted to smoke left his establishment for the bar across the street. Bleakley said he has since made up the difference by selling more food.

McGuire said his business just happened to receive a liquor license around the time the smoking ban went into effect. He attributes the ensuing boost in his business more to the addition of liquor than from the migration of smokers from VZDs to Cock O The Walk, but McGuire is nonetheless unwilling to ban smoking in his bar.

"My bar is 21 and over," said McGuire. "If you don't want to smoke, you don't have to come in my bar."

[tehvipir]

Simple solution. Make i ALL smoke FREE. No one will lose more money than the other. I went to bar in Laramie Wyoming at by the University oF Wyoming and the bars are smoke free. It was the strangest feeling walking into a bar and it being clear. It was great. Now while i know smokers wil complain but i am sorry. I think smoking in ANY public place should be ilegal. INCLUDING your car. I hate sitting with my AC on and someone around me is smoking and now its on my truck. If the government can make us wear seat belts i think they can reguate smoking in cars. Just a thought.

[kmf563]

The Cock is all smoking. That's where we are migrating from. We like Speakeasy but it's just so dang expensive. The food is great and reasonably priced for such great food. But we just want cheap bar food that isn't good for you. And a normal American beer in a bottle. lol. I know, it seems like we are asking alot. But there are so many people who want the same thing. They just tolerate the smoke at Hudsons or the Cock and places like that for cheap happy hour.

[ChowRunner]

They only allow smoking on the 3rd floor of Mcnellies... They can do large groups pretty easily and Have a Wednesday special after 5pm ... burger and fries for $3

[blake]

Nova has a good patio and from 4-7 has $5 all you can drink bud light. Also appetizers are only $5.

[SoonerQueen]

I think all restaurants, bars and clubs ought to be non smoking. I think casino's ought to be too. Fresh air should be a right. If you want to smoke, go outside. I shouldn't have to go outside to get fresh air.

[zrfdude]

I think all restaurants, bars and clubs ought to be non smoking. I think casino's ought to be too. Fresh air should be a right. If you want to smoke, go outside. I shouldn't have to go outside to get fresh air.

Are you being forced into these places?

[SoonerQueen]

I'm not being forced to go to any of them. I'm just saying public places should be smoke free.

[rcjunkie]

Are you being forced into these places?

No one is forced into these places, but if they allow smoking and your concerned about your health, then your forced out of them.

[HOT ROD]

I think all restaurants, bars and clubs ought to be non smoking. I think casino's ought to be too. Fresh air should be a right. If you want to smoke, go outside. I shouldn't have to go outside to get fresh air.

this is how it is in Seattle and Washington state, fyi. no smoking permitted within 25 feet of a building's door. No offense to smokers, but if you want to smoke you should do so in the privacy of your own space - just like any other activity, it should be PERSONAL and/or PRIVATE.

But I have to say, some pipes smell so good.

[OU Adonis]

I always wondered why they considered private businesses a "public" place.

[kmf563]

McNellies and Nova are good suggestions. Thank you.

I agree with the idea of a private business being a public place. Everyone should just have a patio and people can smoke out there like Speakeasy.

[Bostonfan]

Smoking is the main reason I stay away from casinos and bars. But hey, the owners seem to be doing just fine without my money, so no big deal.

[Matt]

"My bar is 21 and over," said McGuire. "If you don't want to smoke, you don't have to come in my bar."

The nerve of this guy! Treating people like they're adults and can make their own decisions about which businesses they patronize. Where does he get off?

[colest7678]

I agree with the idea of a private business being a public place.

How does that make any sense at all? Why should a private business be obligated to cater to you? Do they not have the right to cater to whatever demographic they wish?

[dismayed]

If I remember the law correctly private businesses contain private areas and public areas, usually the offices in the back are considered private but from a legal standpoint usually the areas customers have access to are more or less public. I don't think it's exactly that straight-forward but that's the gist.

And it's really a moot point. The state already has the authority to regulate food and health standards of bars and restaurants. People just don't like this one particular area of health codes (smoking). The others, like shuttering a business that isn't keeping the rat droppings out of your food and not chopping up raw meat and dripping cow blood in your chef salad... most people like having those in place.

[Easy180]

They only allow smoking on the 3rd floor of Mcnellies... They can do large groups pretty easily and Have a Wednesday special after 5pm ... burger and fries for $3

Better get there early on burger night...Place is jammed and made even worse with $3 Smithwicks thru mid July.

[ljbab728]

McNellies and Nova are good suggestions. Thank you.

I agree with the idea of a private business being a public place. Everyone should just have a patio and people can smoke out there like Speakeasy.

I have been to restaurants in some states that even prohibit smoking in outdoor patio areas. Specfically I have seen that in Texas and California. It may be common in other areas as well.