The days of leaving the bar smelling of smoke are over thanks to the vision of new bar owner Robin (Slipaway) Swan.

Mr. Swan opened Slipaway's Lounge - Bermuda's first non-smoking bar - at the site of the former Anchorage Club on North Shore in Devonshire.

The married father-of-five, who has divided his time between Bermuda and Atlanta for the past 17 years, said the idea to open a non-smoking bar culminated from his desire to have somewhere to enjoy his downtime when he was on the Island.

"Every time I came home, there was no where for me to go and a lot of my friends were complaining about the same thing," he told The Royal Gazette. "It wasn't my intentions to make the bar non-smoking, but since I don't smoke and some of my friends suggested the idea, I decided to give the venture a try.

"Some critics said I won't make any money, but I'll try anything."

Catering to the 25 and over crowd, Slipaway's boasts a breathtaking view of the North Shore. Comfortably seating 60 patrons, there is also room for people to dance to the oldie-goldie tunes which are played Thursday through Sunday nights. Sneakers are not allowed in the bar.

Since its doors opened on January 24, Mr. Swan said he has hosted a diverse clientele.

"I even have people in their seventies coming here," he said. "I was excited that I could cater to them."

And, he said, he was glad he took the decision to make the bar non-smoking.

"People can smoke outside. I don't mind that. So many people are coming up to me and thanking me for opening up a place like this, especially women, who said they don't have to worry about washing their hair after leaving here."

But should the business take a turn for the worst, would Mr. Swan consider changing its non-smoking policy?

"No way. I would close it down first. I'd turn it into a fitness gym," he said.

Although he said he shuns the limelight, Mr. Swan teemed with pride as he talked about the building where Slipaway's and two other businesses are housed. He said after he demolished the old building, he wanted to replace it with something that would enhance the community.

"I designed and built the whole place. I decided to put the bar back, and created an upper level for it because I felt it would be easier to prevent people from just walking in off the streets, " he said. "I had a notion for what I wanted to use the downstairs for."

And that was to open a take-out restaurant as well as a mini-mart and liquor store. The restaurant which sells a host of both Bermuda and international cuisine, has been open for just over a week. According to Mr. Swan, the mini-mart is not expected to open for at least another five weeks.

He also is in the process of extending the adjacent parking lot and rebuilding the dock.

"When it is finished, people will be able to sail to the building. The dock will be able to accommodate up to a 45' boat," Mr. Swan said.

With the four-year refurbishment of the building drawing to a close, the fifty-something-year-old said he had mixed emotions.

"I enjoy working. When I bought the building, I had a vision. This was part of my dream. For this to come to an end, I won't like it."

But he said he is now looking for a new project to undertake. And Mr. Swan encouraged others to aim for their highest goals.

"I always say to have a dream. If you don't have any goals in life, a lot of times, you end up standing still."