Bars promise smokers memorable last round

It could be heaven or it could be hell. If you smoke, Thursday may be the perfect evening. If you don't, you might want to hold your breath.

Bars and restaurants throughout Auckland are marking the end of an era with invitations to smokers to light up inside one last time before new smoke-free laws come into effect on Friday.

Regulars at Malt Restaurant and Bar in West Lynn have been invited to an "Up in Smoke" evening to "commemorate, commiserate, celebrate and conjugate" the end of legal smoking in bars.

As well as smoking to their lungs' content, smokers will be able to snack on smoked mussels and smoked chicken in between sampling a selection of aged Scottish whiskies "with burnt-peat notes".

Owner Luke Dallow, a non-smoker, said Thursday night would be the last opportunity for customers to smoke inside, apart from the restaurant. After that they would be banished to the "great outdoors" (also known as the right-hand side of the courtyard).

Since October, Malt had trialled non-smoking inside the restaurant and bar and Mr Dallow said that had increased patronage.

Waiheke Islanders are being encouraged to don a smoking jacket and "other accoutrement" from the days when smoking was "fashionable" to attend the "The Last Gasp" at the Island Queen Restaurant and Bar.

For those who find the idea a little offputting, there's always the Friday night soiree, "A Breath of Fresh Air".

General manager Dereck Owen said that on Thursday the whole restaurant would be free-range for smokers - "we are not going to be picky" - but he is looking forward to the new law.

"It does get cloggy after a while. I can't stand the mess either."

At the Shakespeare Tavern, regulars will be encouraged to come along and make the most of the chance to smoke and smoke and smoke ...

Manager Jonny Murray said a Sky TV film crew would show up about 8.30pm and he planned to make sure all the smokers were out front. Plans to hire a smoke machine for extra effect have been abandoned.

He estimated about 60 to 70 per cent of the bar's regular customers were smokers, as were most of the staff. Although he did not anticipate any problems with the regulars he was not sure how other smokers would respond.

"The law comes into effect at midnight. That's going to be hilariously funny when everyone has had a few drinks and I'm going to have to say, 'I'm sorry you can't smoke inside any more'. You know what they are going to say to me."