On Sept. 16, BackStreets Sports Bar went smokeless inside.

Smoking or vaping is no longer permitted at the inside bar or back room.

Owner, Shelly LaPaglia, says the change has been good.

Smoking and vaping on the open-air patio is still allowed. BackStreets has also installed a drink rail and tables out back for those who need to step outside.

“Most everyone is fine with it,” LaPaglia says. “I was not expecting everyone to be OK with it.”

The change also prompted a revamped menu.

“I wanted to attract more food clientele,” LaPaglia said. “And smoking inside would also deter them. We decided to make the menu better and offer really great food, but it was time to let the smoking go because we wanted to eat great food and not sit around and smoke.”

When BackStreets underwent a complete remodel last year, it installed what the owner says were some of the best smoke eaters on the market.

However, after much testing, BackStreets found they do a great job in the main inside room, but the back game room was a different story.

“There was fresh air ventilation in the main room with the smoke eaters. When we were busy, it wasn’t bad,” LaPaglia said. “But you could still smell it on you and in the air. The back room is where you walk in. You’d walk in on a Friday or Saturday night when it was busy and it would just smell like smoke.”

Parts of the bar were also being affected.

For example, tables were getting burned from cigarettes dropping out of ashtrays.

In addition to the reaction from customers going well, LaPaglia says business is also good.

“I’ve seen a lot of people I don’t normally see in there because it’s now non-smoking,” she said.

And, of course, BackStreets is open to a whole new clientele.

People can come in on their lunch break, for example, and not have to worry about going back to work and having their hair or clothes smell like smoke.

It also makes nonsmokers feel more comfortable.

“If a party of 10 came in, one of those people most likely will not come because it’s a smoking establishment,” LaPaglia said. “Where, if it is a smoker, they will step outside and have a cigarette.”

The patio and sidewalk are still open to those who wish to enjoy a cigarette.

LaPaglia says those areas have been busy.

“We still have smoking outside because we want to take care of everyone,” she said. “We didn’t want to alienate customers who’ve been coming here for years.”

BackStreets is still the same bar, but the menu might look a little different.

Some new additions LaPaglia mentioned included chipotle lime chicken beer braised pork back “street” tacos, nachos, queso dip, a Cuban Italian sandwich, chicken salad and triple threat grilled cheese.

“We still have really good specials, too,” she said.

Patrons can still enjoy 50-cent wings, half priced pizza, $10.99 a pound crab legs, and other specials.

“It’s still a bar,” LaPaglia said. “But the menu was upgraded by 100%.”

Backstreets Sports Bar is at 915 S.E. 47th Terrace, in South Cape. For additional information, visit backstreetssportsbar.com or call 239-945-7555.