First Look: Beck's Brew House tackles food-smoke dilemma

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If you’re a friend of Garrett Hallenbeck, then you were likely surprised to hear that Beck’s Brew House is a smoking-friendly bar. Hallenbeck is a self-described “typical complainer” when it comes to breathing other people’s smoke. The question, really, isn’t why has a nonsmoker opened a smoking bar? But, what did a nonsmoker do about all the smoke in his new bar? Because, in the end that’s the real issue—what can we do to make everyone happy?

Tech takes care of smoke

Hallenbeck hasn’t just installed a state-of-the-art air filtration system with charcoal ionizers that polish the molecules, on par with the larger casinos. No. He has food served to the customers, too. I know what you’re saying, “But that’s impossible. It’s against the law to serve food in a smoking establishment.” You’re right. It is. But it isn’t illegal to bring outside food into a smoking establishment, such as Beck's. 

Order in from Blind Onion

Beck’s Brew House gets around those restrictions by allowing the next-door Blind Onion to deliver food to customers. Eventually, Hallenbeck wants to integrate their systems so that orders can be placed directly from the bar, rather than a cell phone. It’s not clear what his policy is on bringing in food from other places, but I’d imagine they would prefer we go the Blind Onion route.

Space to drink and eat

With all of this in mind, the rest of the bar falls into place. My first visit to Beck’s put me in a weird position because it didn’t seem feasible that the whole bar would be used in totality. One half is understandable, a great bar, two HDTVs, a few high-top tables, but then the other half is lounge area. Couches, cushy chairs, and a few really comfy booths with four other HDTVs seemed like a bit much. But my problem was that I imagined lounging whilst hammered on an empty stomach, which we all know is very unpleasant.

Drinks and other delights

The mug club is almost full: Buy a $10 stein of your choice and get a dollar off your drinks forever, but mugs are limited. The beer selection is absolutely choice (a little pricey), but no Pabst. Domestic choices are OK, and I'd recommend a Mammoth Nut Brown. Fresh-squeezed citrus is used for the drinks, and, lastly, the wine is all natural.

On the TVs you’ll see sports, nature shows, news, ambient shots of fountains and flowers, and the music is the likes of Journey and Dire Straits. Other fun is to be had with the pool table.

Bottom line? I look forward to returning.

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