 |
| Photo by Susan Krashinsky |
The Miami was its usual self on a Tuesday night. People were crowded around the little tables, and a haze of cigarette smoke drifted through the air. As the clock struck midnight, the bartender's booming voice rang out to inform everyone that the law in Quebec had changed. Soon enough, the air began to clear-and so did the room. Almost everyone had moved to the patio, cigarettes in hand.
Some see the smoking ban as a triumph over a public health menace. Others argue that it will be the death of Montreal's bar culture. For better or for worse, as the law takes hold, it must be admitted that the haze of cigarettes has always been an integral aspect of the city's nightlife.
I went to a few of the Main's best smoky dives, to see how they're riding out the storm.
MIAMI
It was clear how this bar would survive the legislation, with commercial terrasses arguably becoming the hottest properties in Montreal. But Gary, a manager at this hip spot, made no secret of his opposition to the bill. Despite what we hear in the media, he insisted, "It's hurting business."
He's seen profits go down in places like Ottawa, and with everyone heading outside, patio capacity has become a problem. Though he understands the advantage of banning cigarettes in restaurants, he maintained that bars are a different matter, and suggested a regulation of ventilation systems would be a better solution.
COPACABANA
But Albino, the day manager at Copacabana, said that he had seen the smoke over the bar get so thick, even air purifiers couldn't contain it. "It's a fog," he asserted, and the absence of that fog "is better for my workers." Eventually, he believes, it will be better for everybody.
He conceded that business has gone down since May 31st, but seemed confident. The Copa, he said, is a community of regulars and friends. "That is its strength."
Some see the smoking ban as a triumph over a public health menace.
Others argue that it will be the death of Montreal's bar culture.
 |
| Photo by Susan Krashinsky |
BARFLY
In days of yore, Barfly was infamous for its packed shows that generated dizzying amounts of smoke. Even Donovan, a bartender for fifteen years and smoker himself, admitted that it sometimes gave him headaches, and wondered aloud if the ban would make non-smokers more inclined to attend events here.
Like everyone else, he's seen business go down, but he said, "People want to come support their friends and hear bands," so he's not worried.
BIFTECK
When I asked Nancy, a waitress at Bifteck, if the new law had affected her business, she replied, "what business?" and gestured to the room around her, which was unusually empty for a late Friday afternoon. Despite this, she's not unhappy about the ban. And she's had very little problems from tourists who come in and simply assume that they can't smoke.
Now businesses have to hope that Montrealers will also get accustomed to the new law. She pointed out, "If they could do it in Dublin, they can do it anywhere."
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL PUB
On the other side of town, Crescent Street was buzzing on a sunny weekend afternoon, and the patio of the Sir Winston was busy. Curtis the bartender agreed that the terrasse keeps their clients happy. "Our regulars just go outside now," he said.
He believes the government was smart to start the ban during the summer, to give people time to adjust.
But back at the Miami, Gary wasn't so sure this easy transition would continue once the terrasse season is over. "Come winter," he predicted, "There's going to be a major revolt."
Miami
3831, rue St. Laurent
Tel: (514) 845-2300
Copacabana
3910, rue St. Laurent
Tel: (514) 982-0880
Barfly
4062A, rue St. Laurent
Tel: (514) 284-6665
Bifteck
3702, rue St. Laurent
Tel: (514) 844-6211
Sir Winston Churchill Pub Complex
1459, rue Crescent
Tel: (514) 288-3814 |
Photo by Susan Krashinsky |
|
