From January 2008 it's 'no smoking in public places' in Germany. But the rules will vary state by state. Berlin is a state (Land) in Germany. www.zdf.de says "Berlin: Smoking ban from 1st January 2008 in public buildings, party tents, bars and discos. Exceptions: Hotel and retirement rooms as well as separate smoking rooms. Fine for smokers themselves up to 100 €, proprietors up to 1000 €." There will be a 'six month grace period' for these places to comply. You can bet this will be exploited by naked sex bars. Or maybe they have a special dispensation.
Rumours abound: A Kreuzberg bar / restaurant will have the bar area for smokers and the other end 'smoke-free' for eaters. There is no separating door. The owner will "see what happens."
Mario's Kneipe has built a sitting area in the darkroom connected to the rest of the bar by two doors. They say two doors is what you have to have. Will this be Mario's smoking room.
WIll it be like France where they pay no attention to rules? Unlikely: Germans love, obey and enforce regulations.












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