By JAMIE BUSEN

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Ed Workman has a question for the nonsmokers who promised to frequent Quincy bars more often after the state smoking ban went into effect Jan. 1.

"Where are you?" he asked.

Workman, co-owner of Uncle Bob's Bar at 1301 N. 12th and Jed's Brew House at 18th and Chestnut, said alcohol sales were down about 20 percent at both bars during the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2007, and continue to lag.

Workman believes the smoking ban is having an adverse effect on his businesses, but other restaurant and bar owners believe the cold winter and poor economy were just as much to blame.

Consumers like Kelly Klinner believe the ban, now in its sixth month, is having the desired effect. She says she is able to dine with her husband Jason and their 5-year-old daughter in places they would not have frequented in the past.

"We have the freedom to go to any restaurant with her," Klinner said. "We're experiencing that freedom and it's been really nice for us."

The reaction to the smoking ban has been a mixed bag in Adams County. It appears to be working for nonsmokers and restaurants, but has been more troublesome for bars. The city does not have sales tax figures available from the state for alcohol sales in 2008 to determine if there has been any decline.

Barney's Tavern owner Tony Rhinberger estimates his sales are down about 5 to 10 percent from last year at his business near 17th and Broadway, but he isn't quick to blame the ban.

"I don't know if I can attribute that to the smoking ban," he said. "It's the general economy. It was very cold the first part of the year. The smoking ban hasn't helped me any, but I don't see where it could be the only contributing factor."

The Abbey at 18th and Spring has experienced a shift from 50-50 sales in food and alcohol to 60 percent food and 40 percent alcohol. Like Rhinberger, manager Gabe McClean said there are several factors, including the economy.

"The bar portion isn't as filled as it used to be," McClean said.

He said people who often would have a drink and a smoke at the bar while waiting for a table for dinner might head elsewhere instead. He said he is seeing newer faces, but has also noticed some regulars who don't come around as much anymore.

McClean said the smoking ban has put a damper on his late-night crowd, but has boosted his early-dinner crowd. He has tried to accommodate smokers with a heated and lighted tent outside.

Food sales are also up 10 percent at the Coach House restaurant at 24th and Broadway, where partner Al Ebel said he notices his most avid smokers aren't staying for that piece of pie like normal.

"We've had a lot of people, though, who over the years had gradually stopped coming in are coming back in," he said.

He said taking the economy out of the equation, he had hoped for a larger increase in sales once the smoking ban was in place. But given that the price of everything seems to be skyrocketing, he figures he's holding his own.

Ebel also points out what tavern owners are keenly aware of -- if people are outside having a cigarette, they aren't inside ordering a beer. And smoking outside has become a social occasion. It's somewhat of a mass exodus when one person goes outside to smoke at Barney's, where Rhinberger has no room for a beer garden.

Workman said he's missing customers who can no longer drop in for a beer and a smoke. He blames the ban for his drop in sales.

"We are trying to get more pool and dart leagues in here," he said. "We'll try to have washer tournaments outside so people can come down and enjoy themselves."

And he says to the nonsmokers: Come on down.

"They said they'd come to businesses," he said. "And we're open."

Julie Lockett, manager of the State Street Bar and Grill at 1638 State, said sales of food and alcohol have remained consistent from last year. Korina Browning, owner of Down on the Corner in Marcelline, said the ban hasn't hurt her business, "but I can't say it's increased my sales, either."

Browning said she's tired of picking up cigarette butts, though, off of a two-year old patio she made for curb appeal. Often people ignore the several ashtrays she's placed on the picnic tables.

And while Browning doesn't smoke and hasn't seen a fluctuation in sales, she still disagrees with the ban.

"You know what, we're a small-town corner bar with a pool table and shuffleboard," she said. "I don't think it's up to anyone else to decide what I can do -- with me being the business person."

Angelique Redington tends bar once a week at the Cedar Club, 20th and Cedar, and three or four days a week at The Abbey. She's noticed the difference in both places, and often walks out with less tips than she used to.

"I don't miss emptying the ash trays, though," she said.

-- jbusen@whig.com/221-3385