Bar owners are choosing different tactics in fighting Austin's new smoking ban. Some have been accused of blatantly violating the 3-month-old law; they're headed to court.
Other opponents are taking on the ban in a much different way. They're literally building around it.
At the Star Bar, owners say they've lost a quarter of their customers because of the smoking ban. So, the bar is investing in wood, nails, and plastic in hopes of bringing smokers back.
"We're going to cover it and bring some heaters out here. Probably build some other tables," Star Bar co-owner Zane Baker said.
Baker's plan is to bring the indoors to the outdoors to lure smokers to once again plunk down their dollars.
"This creates an environment that's a little more friendly to them to be outside in the elements, to have a cigarette," Baker said.
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Luring smokers
Many establishments are adding on or upgrading to get smokers to come back.
 
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Down the road at Freddie's Place, you're invited to extinguish your smokes before you enter. But around the back there's a huge outdoor patio complete with ashtrays, heaters and many indoor comforts. The owner even expanded the patio to accommodate more people.
"I think that people are looking for outdoor venues. People that want to smoke when they go out are seeking out places like ours," Freddie's Place assistant manager Andrew Locke said.
The restaurant even boasts an outdoor pool table. Smokers can now play eight-ball while puffing away.
Some bar owners, though, say building patios is just giving in to the city. The owners of Clicks Billiards received several criminal citations for violating the smoking ban. They hope to get the issue resolved in court.
Both the North and South Clicks locations were slapped with criminal misdemeanor charges. The violations range from having ash trays on tables to ignoring customers who light up.
Clicks management points to its own smoking ordinance that customers must sign. Staffers can ask smokers to leave but won't force them.
"I believe they did it to cover their end, to take the liability off Clicks," customer Jose Pina said.
Clicks owners hope to use their day in court to set the stage for repealing the law.
Two other bars were slapped with violations of the new smoking law. They include Mickey's Thirsty Lounge in North Austin and Rack Daddy's Pool Hall in East Austin.
