How We Rated 'em:

The Good Guys – Smokers are welcome at these restaurants, coffee shops and bar/grills.

Bar Only Smoking – You can still smoke here, but you're gonna have to sit in the bar. Some are better than others.

Hall of Shame – No smoking sections at all. If you smoke, this is not your dining establishment.

Smoker-Friendly Restaurants in the Twin Cities

Sorry. We haven’t updated this yet to cover the new smoking ban imposed on March 31, 2005. Meanwhile, you can get some information from the City Pages' The Smoker’s Guide to the Twin Cities.

The quick rundown:

Locale	The Rules
Hennepin County	Smoking is banned in indoor areas of restaurants, bars and private clubs, including those serving only alcohol. Also, indoor areas of multi-purpose facilities — bowling alleys, pool halls, hotels, golf clubhouses, skating rinks, banquet facilities — where food or beverages are sold or served. Smoking is allowed in outdoor areas of restaurants and bars, provided that measures are in place to prevent secondhand smoke from entering indoor areas.
Ramsey County	Smoking is banned in all restaurants. Smoking also is banned in bars that haven't received an exemption from the Public Health Department. Bars where liquor sales account for more than 50 percent of net sales can receive an exemption. Restaurants may set up separate bar areas if they are closed off from eating areas, have a separate liquor license and have a separate ventilation system. Private clubs are exempt unless they serve food and beverages to the public. Smoking is permitted in bingo halls, pool rooms and bowling alleys where no food is served. A certificate of exemption must be conspicuously displayed.
Bloomington	Smoking is banned in indoor areas of all workplaces, including restaurants, bars and private clubs. Also, no smoking within 25 feet of entrances and open windows. Up to one-half of outdoor dining areas may be open to smokers, provided at least one-half of the outdoor area is smoke-free.
Golden Valley	Smoking is banned in indoor areas of all workplaces, including restaurants, bars and private clubs, as well as entire outdoor dining areas and public parks and recreation facilities. Also, no smoking within 25 feet of entrances and open windows. There are no exemptions.
Minneapolis	Smoking is banned in indoor areas of all food establishments including restaurants, bars, pool halls and bowling alleys. There are no exemptions.