(No) Smoking at the Black Stove?

[Rob F]

Went in there last night for the first (and probably) the last time. Place was busy so we stood next to a spanish couple sitting at a table with an ash tray on it. Obviously we took it smoking was allowed, but when we did, one of the staff members came to us and told us it was not. Well, it was, but only in the back end of the bar.

I told the man that in my opinion that is illegal, as this part was not seperated. He went of, and then the manager (I suppose) came and told us the same. No smoking, only in the back of the place. Again I explained that imho this was not according to the new smoking law, but he insisted and threatened to call the police. I invited him to do so, and some ten minutes later two GNR's arrived.

We went outside and had a talk. One of the GNR's told me that the manager was right. I tried to explain him that in my opoinion he was not. I have studied this part of the law pretty well, and I am convinced that it is one way or the other. Either they allow smoking or they do not. If they do, it is allowed for the whole place, or they should install a separate room for smokers.

Well, I could not convince the GNR. They told me if I would do it again they would fine me and then I could seek my 'right' in court. I decided it was not worth it, so I finished my beer and went off.

I would like to add that the both the people from the Black Stove as well as the GNR's were very polite and there was no fight or anything, just an exchange of thoughts.

[dodger]

Why didn't you just move to the designated part for a smoke? Pretty petty on your part IMO..

[EMM]

Its a pity they allow smoking at all, you could have gone outside.

If it that smokey then we will not be going there.

[laserblazer]

Its a pity they allow smoking at all, you could have gone outside.

If it that smokey then we will not be going there.

Ditto, even if I knew where it is.

[kteee]

The building looks good and it's nice to see a large terrace, but why do we need another Irish bar? We already have Bradys and Irish Times and I'd hate to see Carvoeiro turn into another Alvor or Praia da Rocha - nightmares both! I'm quarter Irish and love Irish music but enough already!

[roy4eyes]

You should give up smoking Rob - it will stunt your growth

Then you could go to places like this with other youngsters like Carol and myself and enjoy the music

P.S. Can you arrange for some of your Dutch friends to give me some cricket coaching

[Rob F]

You should give up smoking Rob - it will stunt your growth

Then you could go to places like this with other youngsters like Carol and myself and enjoy the music

P.S. Can you arrange for some of your Dutch friends to give me some cricket coaching

You can call me anyday, anytime Roy!

But seriously, I respect any decision of any restaurant or bar, whether they choose to allow smoking or not. That's not the issue here. In fact the 'smoking ban' in Portugal is imo one of the best in Europe. Freedom of choice...
What irritated me is that this particular bar is stretching the rules to its own benefit. Actually they are not respecting smokers or non smokers, packing them all in one big open space and saying; from this line you can smoke, on the other side you cannot.

[blue]

Yeah but don't you ever think that life's just too short to stress out about stuff like this? You need to relax more, have a ciggy.

[rod...]

Having just returned from our two week break, we also dropped into the Black Stove and noticed this anomaly. I spoke to someone who informed me that if the bar has an extraction system installed, then they can permit smoking in that area. I would have had a look to see if this was the case, but we got rather bored with the same chap (Brian K) playing every night (well, he was either playing when we visited, or the blackboard outside said he was playing when we went past). There's only so much country and western I can take. A pity, as it is a really well designed and laid out bar. Some entertainment variation required.

[EMM]

C & W and smoking, more reasons not to go.

[destroyer]

I'm with Rob on this one. I'm not a smoker and don't like being around smoke. However, the smoking or no smoking line would seem to give everyone a clear choice, and to be fair. I'm not convinced even the best extraction units solve things so you have the potential for non smokers to start wittering (as I probably would), and for smokers to respond. It doesn't really add to anyone's enjoyment.

[kteee]

All in all sounds like a waste of a good building - perhaps the management will see this thread and have a re-think?

[floyd]

As I said on a previous thread, to have a designated smoking area in the same room is like having a designated peeing area in a swimming pool.

[EMM]

I know a couple of lads of 8 and 10 who think that pools do have that facility.

[joanne]

Walked up last week with some friends and walked straight out again....Sorry....It was such a strange place with a very unfriendly fealing, we stood at the Bar for about 5 minutes and we were ignored by the 2 bar staff, there was a band playing Irish music and it was really strange, after being ignored for 5 minutes we walked out, it is a shame as I have been told that the owners have spent a lot of money on the place, but they will need to sort out staff etc, we will not be going back in and would have thought in these hard times that they would welcome regulars, but maybe they are thinking that with them being new all will want to try?