The Pennsylvania State Senate has approved a bill to ban smoking in public spaces across Pennsylvania. The bill will not weaken Philadelphia’s ban and it is expected that Governor Rendell will sign the bill into law.

There are also exceptions for “bars that have 20 percent or less in annual sales of food, as well as cigar bars, tobacco shops and private clubs whose officers agree to it.”

Pa. smoking ban clears last hurdle to becoming law [Philadelphia Inquirer]

It is shockingly uncold out today. Global warming? A meaningless hiccup from Mother Nature? Is the universe smiling down on the new era of Nutteriness dawning in Philadelphia?

Michael Nutter was sworn in as mayor today, but one of his big scores (or stinkers, depending on your viewpoint) as a city councilman was getting the smoking ban passed. Mark the occasion by having a smoke-free experience in a local restaurant or bar. Or shake your fist at the man while puffing away to your heart’s content at an exempt bar using this interactive map of smoking-friendly bars.

You could also have a Nutter Butter. Mmmm, Nuttery.

Over at Philly Mag they’ve created a map of Philadelphia’s smoking friendly bars.

So now you know where to go, or where not as the case may be.

Smoking Bars in Philadelphia [Philadelphia Magazine]

Yesterday’s City Paper provides a list of bars in Philadelphia that have received smoking ban waivers.

Check out the whole list here.

Smoking Bars [City Paper]

The Illadelph has a first look and name for The Georges Perrier, Chris Scarduzio restaurant set for the Comcast Center. The name is Table 31, which may seem a quizzical name till you realize that’s considered the best table at Brasserie Perrier. Table 31 will be a monster of a restaurant. More than 15,000 square feet over 3 floors. [The Illadelph]

A.D. Amorosi’s Icepack reports that the Dive is rumored to be closed or closing. This is in contrast to a recent Dive My Space bulletin says that not only are they open but they’ve got their smoking waiver. [Icepack, City Paper]

Rumor has it Copa Too won’t sit empty too long as Fergie’s ex-manager Jo Gunn is looking to open Jose Pistolas, a “beer bar with Mexican flavor.” [Icepack, City Paper]

A couple of new Italian restaurants have landed. Franco’s Trattoria has taken the spot once held by Verge off of Kelly Drive in East Falls. And 23rd and Walnut has a new Italian BYO Salento where Fellini’s Cafe. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

All those city smokers who have been heading to Croydon, Upper Darby and Ridley Park to light up while they drink might be in trouble as a Montgomery County representative is looking to ban smoking in all public spaces in Pennsylvania.

Montco Rep. Leads New Push To Ban Smoking Statewide [KYW Newsradio 1060]

Philebrity reports eight bars have received their exemptions from the smoking ban. Frankly we’re surprised Delilah’s received theirs so quickly. We expected that Delilah’s would require more field studies by city health department employees.

The rest of the list.

• 32 Degrees Luxe Lounge, 16 S. 2nd St
• BJ Lounge, 4027 Lancaster Ave
• Bottoms Up Bar, 4659-4661 N. 5th St
• Delialah�s Den, 100 Spring Garden St
• Fire Fighters Home Assn, 415-427 N. 5th St
• Friendly Bar, 1039 S. 8th St.
• Philadelphia Club, 1301 Walnut St
• Tonic on Main, 4421 Main St

Readers Write: 32 Degrees Ushers In The Age Of Exemption [Philebrity]

Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar has long been a dive bar but for less time it has been a hipster paradise.

Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, the quintessential old South Philly taproom, has become hipster-driven, at least on Thursdays. That’s when jam-session cats – mostly graduates from the University of the Arts and Temple University, with a median age of 23 – play elegant improvisational jazz and soft standards.

Led by drummer Pete Gaudioso and pianist Anam Owili-Eger in Ray’s second room, 11 horn players (trumpet, trombone, sax), four bassists, three guitarists, and one harmonica player sign up and sit in. That’s a jazz soup.

Ray’s opens at 7 AM and their web site promises smoking will return when they get their permit. Show up on your birthday and receive a drink for free.

Ray’s The Happy Birthday Bar [Official Site]

City health inspectors headed out yesterday to enforce day one of part two of the city’s smoking ban. Sixteen bars were nailed, none in Center City.

The inspectors hit the streets in force yesterday, with 23 spreading out to look for violations in 586 bars and restaurants. Establishments can be cited for allowing patrons to smoke or for not posting no-smoking signs.

Smoking ban gets teeth as city tickets 16 pubs [Philadelphia Daily News]

Well the smoking ban is back. What bars are still allowing smoking. Leave a comment with bars that you know that are seeking an exemption to the smoking ban.