Owner of new Moscow cigar lounge asks council to allow alcohol service in venues where smoking is central

During public comment, Cody Barr, owner of the Refuge Cigar Lounge in Moscow, asked the council to consider a narrowly tailored amendment to Title 10, Chapter 1, Section 23 — the local ordinance that prohibits smoking in bars — to allow alcohol service in businesses where indoor smoking is the primary activity.

"Smoking indoors is the primary activity at the Refuge," Barr said, explaining that patrons expect smoke in that environment and employees knowingly work in it. He said the current ordinance treats cigar lounges the same as typical bars and "instead of protecting guests from unwanted smoke...it just prevents them from enjoying a good cigar with a fine whiskey, which is a natural and time honored pairing." Barr said he and Councilwoman Lewis had met and "workshopped" a highly specific amendment that would preserve the ordinance’s public-health purpose while allowing alcohol service at venues where smoking is central.

Barr told council the Refuge opened about five months ago and has engaged positively with city staff and commissioners. He provided a handout summarizing the issue and a copy of the ordinance to city staff.

In short Q&A, the presiding official asked whether the lounge had applied for a liquor license; Barr said the business had not applied because it expects the city permit process would stop the application, and that the lounge is on the liquor-license list but has not yet pursued alcohol service.

No council action was taken on the request during the meeting; Barr's comment was recorded as part of the public-comment period and city staff will maintain the submission in the meeting packet.