The Ringside Cafe is one of the oldest bar/restaurants in the city of Columbus with nearly 120 years is operation under its belt at 19 North Pearl Street. That doesn’t stop current owners Adrian and Kim Rosu from keeping up with modern trends, as the husband and wife duo recently opened the Rathskeller Vapor Bar in the basement of the establishment.
The new venture is not just a new business for the Rosus, it also has a personal connection. Adrian explained that he and his wife both made the switch from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes three years ago, which has helped them to to reduce nicotine levels gradually over time to the point of eliminating their addictions.
“The reason why we decided to open the vapor lounge was to help others transition from regular cigarettes to the e-cigarettes to help them cut back or completely quit like we did,” he says.”The more people start seeing others doing it and actually kicking the habit, the more curious they will be to try it.”
To that end, the Rathskeller features a “taste bar” where customers can try different e-cigarette flavors before they buy the liquids, and staff can assist with pairing wine and liquors to compliment the selections.
“We are the first bar in Columbus to offer a full service vapor lounge,” added Rosu. “The basement of The Ringside didn’t have a very inviting atmosphere, but with this vapor bar addition it has made it a place for those who wish to just sit and vape, order a cocktail or even order something to eat off our Ringside Menu.”
The State of Ohio passed a smoking ban in 2006 that has prevented legalized cigarette smoking inside local bars and restaurants, but e-Cigarettes skirt the law due to their emission of vapor rather than second-hand smoke. Regulations of the popular new devices are minimal, as are scientifically supported medical research reports, but Rosu doesn’t think that these issues will harm the new business venture.
“Honestly, at this point, we are not worried,” he says. “They haven’t found anything yet and I would assume that after all these years of doing research that they would have found at least one thing harmful in e-cigs by now.”
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/rathskellervapes.