Tuesday
Feb242009
Smokers welcome!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 
I have just had lunch - well, a pint of beer and a cigar - in what has to be the most smoker-friendly bar in Edinburgh. Hawke and Hunter has only been open a few months but the owners have created a "smoking room" that is even better than Boisdale's famous cigar terrace in London.
It has its own bar, comfortable furniture, tropical plants and no shortage of heaters. I know this is no substitute for being able to smoke inside, but full marks to H and H for looking after smokers as best they can in the current anti-smoking climate.
I'll be back, and next time I may bring a hundred or so people with me. Watch this space.
Reader Comments (8)
that looks awesome, mite have to get meself there!
No doubt if pubs can create such appealing legal smoking areas, then the authorities will come back with further restrictions :-(
I'll give it a look in March. My birthday treat I think.
Great to know that these smoke friendly places exist no matter what country and we all should let each other know about them.
Correction, no point in informing about think for themselves countries like Spain and Greese but in these colder climes places for smokers should be revealed.
I just found a pub near me that has lock-ins until the early hours... and lets you smoke inside after 11pm! It was the best knees up I've had in years... the lights were turned low, the doors locked, and the ashtrays came out... it was heaven!
Just paid a visit last night after your recommendation, surely the finest outdoor/indoor smoking area I've seen so far.
Take a trip back in time, sit at the bar, fag in one hand drink in the other, I asked the barman if he was bothered by the amoke and he replied it was adaquately ventilated for him and he was also an ex-smoker.
I was the oldest fogey there (41), as the place was teeming with folk in their 20's happily fagging away and not giving a shit about so-called ETS/SMS.
Come summer when the canopy comes back will be standing room only, oh and yes the indoor bars are very cool as well.
Nice to see someone make an effort for us pariahs.
Joseph K -
You say that:
"the place was teeming with folk in their 20's happily fagging away and not giving a shit about so-called ETS/SMS......."
Now that IS Good News ! Bravo to them !
If only they'd get to play some decent music..............
Martin V, actually night I was there they were piping a radio station through it, and it was mostly 80's stuff, like I said a trip back in time!
Even the 20 somethings weren't put off by the fogey tracks...