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Smokers discover the great outdoors
02.07.07You've not quite managed (or even tried) to give up smoking. But as of 6am on July 1, those who want a sneaky smoke with their post-work pint will find themselves puffing next to the gutter or behind the bins. Or will they? Steely London spirit and enterprising bar owners have ensured there will be plenty of cool outdoor places to spark up in, which are just as appealing to non-smokers. The Smiths were right; there really is a light that never goes out.
Bars
BOISDALE OF BELGRAVIA
15 Eccleston St, SW1, 020 7730 6922, boisdale.co.uk, open Mon-Sat until 1am
Boisdale's new retractable-roof terrace (built at a cost of £40,000 and accommodating 30) will keep well-heeled smokers from having to puff on their Cuban cigars on the pavement. The traditional-looking bar also offers 110 types of Havana cigar.
ROCKWELL
Trafalgar Hilton Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, SW1, 020 7870 2959, thetrafalgar.com, daily until 1am
The bar is a sexy den of leather sofas and black lacquer, the crowd is stylish and the roof garden is the kind of place just made for movie-style smoking with a drink in hand, staring out at the city.
PEARL RESTAURANT
252 High Holborn, WC1, 020 7829 7000, pearl-restaurant.com
You can't light up, but their new nicotine-infused Nicotini cocktail (£9) might quell the craving.
Pubs
THE SUN & DOVES
61-63 Coldharbour Lane, SE5, 020 7733 1525; sunanddoves.co.uk, open until 11pm Mon-Thurs and Sun, and until midnight Fri, Sat
With film nights, art exhibitions and quirky music, this boho Camberwell pub is so cool it has its own MySpace site. The swanky back patio garden is newly done up for smokers and big enough for 100 punters.
THE FLASK
77 Highgate West Hill, N6, 020 8348 7346, open until 11pm
It's an 18th-century pub with a villagey feel - and very popular. Bag one of the coveted front garden tables or a seat in the heated smoker-friendly 14-table marquee, which was built last year.
THE COAT AND BADGE
8 Lacy Road, SW15, 020 8788 4900
The secluded patio area away from the bustle of Putney High Street is popular all year round, particularly on Sundays, where the well-heeled locals gather to spend their large disposable incomes.
NAG'S HEAD
9 Orford Rd, E17, 020 8520 9709
Hidden away in Walthamstow Village, there's jazz, real ale, a friendly pub cat and a tranquil beer garden at the back.
Clubs
MADDOX CLUB
3-5 Mill St, W1, 020 7629 8877, maddoxclub.com, open Wed-Sat, drinks served until 3am
Slick and modern, Maddox is as glitzy a place to light up as you would expect from a bar owned by the people behind Chinawhite. But it comes at a price - membership is £350 a year. The lower-ground-f loor courtyard, perfect for "smirting" (smoking and flirting), will be unveiled on Sunday.
CARGO
83 Rivington Street, Kingsland Viaduct, EC2, 020 7739 3440, cargo-london.com, open Mon-Thurs until 1am, Fri-Sat until 3am, Sun until midnight
A trendy Shoreditch club that's always a winner for a drunken night out with a soundtrack of stonking tunes. Plus, the street food café menu (currently themed around La Tomatina, the Spanish tomato throwing festival) is brilliant. The canopied courtyard comes into its own in the summer, so it's no chore to head outside for a mid-dance cigarette.
TURNMILLS
63b Clerkenwell Rd, EC1, 020 7250 3409, turnmills.co.uk, open until midnight Mon-Wed, 3.30am Thurs, 7.30am Fri, 5am Sat
Hedonists' haven Turnmills has opened up the doors of neighbouring Annexo Bar onto Turnmill Street and set up an outdoor area. They have kitted it out with comfortable seats and some shrubs, making it perfect for chain smoking and "meaningful" conversations at 4am.
KENSINGTON ROOF GARDENS
99 Kensington High Street, W8, 020 7937 7994, roofgardens.com, Fri-Sat 10pm-3am
Richard Branson's chi-chi club couldn't be better for smokers - the famous flamingo-filled garden consists of 11/2 acres of open space. Membership is from £250 a year and regulars include Jade Jagger and Sienna Miller, but there are nights which are open to non-members, too.
PROUD GALLERIES
The Gin House, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1, 020 7482 5979, proud.co.uk
There's nothing more rock 'n' roll than having a smoke in a deckchair with Pete Doherty's face on it. And on Proud's terrace, you can do just that.
SHOREDITCH HOUSE
Ebor Street, E1, 020 7739 5040, shoreditchhouse.com
From the people at Soho House, this is THE place to go - if you manage to bag the £700-a-year membership. Populated by trendy media types, there's a rooftop swimming pool, à la Sex And The City, with an open-air bar where you can smoke while you swim.
Four smoke-friendly places where you can eat, too
THE ALBION
10 Thornhill Road, N1, 020 7607 7450, the-albion.co.uk, open until 11pm Mon-Sat, 10.30pm Sun
This gastropub has front and back outdoor space, including a beer garden that seats 120 people around picnic tables. Throughout summer there's a spit roast.
THE PHOENIX
14 Palace Street, SW1, 020 7828 8136, open until 11pm daily
One of several boozers owned by Geronimo Inns, which is ensuring smokers are well accommodated. Aside from awnings, heaters and seating for 60, there's outdoor darts and plans for plasma screens.
THE GUN
27 Coldharbour, E14, 020 7515 5222, thegundocklands.com
The alfresco bar and barbecue area is right by the river. No dodgy burgers here: the food includes tiger prawns and lamb skewers.
KINGS HEAD
1 The Green, Winchmore Hill, 020 8886 1988
The buzzing beer garden at this boozer is the perfect spot for sinking something off the extensive wine list.
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