When Brian Matalik opened McGrogan's Taproom in Canonsburg in September, first-time patrons were puzzled by the sign that greeted them at the door.

"We are pleased to provide all of our guests a smoke-free environment."

	Rebecca Droke, Post-Gazette Mike Bianco, right, of Canonsburg, and his co-workers Marie Hagen and Tim Dial play an arcade game at McGrogan's Taproom in Canonsburg on a recent Friday. Although Mr. Bianco is a smoker, he doesn't mind that McGrogan's is a smoke-free bar. He stops in every day after work because he enjoys the comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Click photo for larger image.

With a smoking ban hovering over neighboring Allegheny County and the Legislature considering a statewide ban on smoking in public places, McGrogan's Taproom provides an early glimpse of what the bar scene might be like after bars are forced to clear the air. Judging by the bar's success in its first six months of operation, Mr. Matalik, its manager, said he was not sold on the argument that bar business will suffer under a smoking ban.

"I really don't think the bar owners are going to see as much backlash as they think they will," he said. "We've proved there's a market for nonsmoking places."

In Allegheny County, a smoking ban in all public places, including bars and restaurants, was to go into effect Jan. 2. But lingering legal questions and complaints by bar and restaurant owners that they would lose business led to a 120-day court-ordered delay while issues are worked out. Unless there's another delay, the smoking ban will be implemented May 1.

In Washington County, where there is no looming smoking ban pressuring bar owners, McGrogan's is a rarity.

"The weird thing is, we're in Washington [County]. We don't have to do this," Mr. Matalik said.

While the bar's smoke-free atmosphere generally appeals to nonsmoking patrons, McGrogan's attracts smokers as well.

When McGrogan's opened, Mr. Matalik saw smokers ignore the policy, lighting up even though at least five no-smoking signs are visible from every seat.

These people were invited to take their smokes outside. But, Mr. Matalik said, even with these few rebels, the new bar, with its specialty micro-brew beers and clean air, continues to thrive.

"Business has been absolutely fantastic," he said. "We grow busier every week."

For Mr. Matalik and bar owner Sean Jordan, both nonsmokers, going smoke-free was a decision from day one.

"The idea of having it be a cleaner environment, I thought, was a no-brainer," Mr. Matalik said.

From a strictly practical viewpoint, he said, a smoke-free bar is easier to keep clean. In smoking bars where he has worked, he would have to scrub the walls from top to bottom at least twice a week to eliminate the stains and odor. He suggested people conduct their own demonstration at smoking bars to see this difference.

"Go to a bar, get a wet nap and wipe it on the wall," he said. "It's gross."

Rosanna Sarakowski and Denise Harbough have tended bar at McGrogan's since it opened. Ms. Harbough, a nonsmoker, said she appreciated her smoke-free work environment, especially when she goes home at 2 in the morning and doesn't have to take a shower or wash her clothes immediately to get rid of a smoke smell.

Ms. Sarakowski is a smoker, but doesn't mind the bar's prohibition.

"I hate to admit it, but it's probably better," she said.

Along with helping keep the bar clean, the smoke-free environment has encouraged people to quit smoking because it helps them to disassociate the habit from drinking, Mr. Matalik said.

Scott Marley, 31, of Canonsburg, said being in the smoke-free environment already had helped him cut back from one cigarette every 15 minutes while relaxing at smoking bars to one cigarette an hour at McGrogan's.

"It's a good reason to quit," he said as he left his drink to take his hourly cigarette break outside, braving the night's cold. "I think it's great, actually."

Mike Serra, 53, of Canonsburg, said he knew some smokers who would not come to McGrogan's because of the no-smoking policy. While the idea to quit lurks in the back of his mind, he has no plans to give it up anytime soon.

"The plans and the will to do so are two different things," he said.

Still, he comes to McGrogan's often to enjoy the beer selection and the friendly people, and he complimented the bar for standing "ahead of the curve" with its no-smoking policy.

McGrogan's customers have been known to travel out of their way to visit the bar, not only for its offering of 12 micro-brews and more than 155 bottled beers, but for the clean environment. Mr. Matalik believes no other bar in Washington County offers that combination.

"It's a pretty radical idea, for sure," he said.

Customers on a recent Saturday night seemed to bear that out.

Valerie Fulmer, 22, of Washington, said she goes to McGrogan's every week because of its smoke-free environment. Compared with other bars, she doesn't smell like the bottom of an ashtray when she goes home.

"It's good to be able to drink and breathe at the same time," she said.

Tim Bombash, 24, of Canonsburg, agreed. "I want to taste my beer, not someone's butt," he said.

Brian Patterson, 27, of Canonsburg, and Gia Ciccone, 25, of Aliquippa, work in health care and agree the less they have to be around smoking, the better.

"Someone sitting next to you lighting Newports all night definitely does a number on your body," Mr. Patterson said.

He added that, when county or statewide smoking bans take effect, it will be good for nonsmokers and smokers. He knows people who won't come to McGrogan's because of the nonsmoking policy, but believes these people represent a minimum of the bar crowd.

"You get used to it or you stay away," he said. "Eventually, people are going to get tired of sitting at home on the couch smoking cigarettes."