Local bars transition to smoke-free

By Lynsi Musselman

Two popular Albany restaurants now are 100 percent smoke free inside their buildings.

The smoke aroma is no longer a part of the dinning experience at The Beehive and The Icehouse restaurants.

Icehouse owner Melissa Williams said the decision to go smoke free came with the implementation of health precautions when the restaurant reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown.

“Plans are underway to put in an outdoor patio to accommodate patrons that would like to dine outside under the Texas stars,” Williams said. “Smoking will be allowed outside in this area as well.”

Smoking was previously only allowed in the private club area of the restaurant.

Albany Beehive co-owner Jessica Esfandiary said COVID-19 was the reason the bar area of the restaurant originally went smoke free.

“We used the bar area to make up for lost tables in the other two dining areas,” Esfandiary said. “The family unanimously agreed that we enjoyed the non-smoking environment. We have noticed more people have stayed and waited for tables, especially those with children.”

Esfandiary explained that since Gov. Abbott closed bars again, all rooms in the Beehive are to be used as dining rooms. 

“The bar service is only for customers who are dining,” she said. 

Esfandiary added that smokers can utilize the patio room on the north side, as long as it has not been rented.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, benefits of a smoke-free policy are that it improves air quality, reduces secondhand smoke, reduces smoking, and improves health.