Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse, located in Spicewood, has decided to initiate a smoking ban for restaurant and bar patrons beginning July 5.

The venue, which was opened in 2002 by Willie Nelson's stage manager of 34 years, Randall "Poodie" Locke, had allowed smoking inside the roadhouse for the past 10 years. Poodie's is known as one of the last great roadhouses in Texas and is reported to be a frequent of Willie Nelson and other notable country music figures.

"I've been thinking about this over the whole last year," Poodie's owner Sharon Burke said. "Everyone's pretty supportive of the change. Most of my patrons are so happy to see this bar alive and honoring the tradition Poodie left."

The smoking ban was initiated because of health concerns for Poodie's employees and musicians.

"My staff just became so sick after the weekends," Burke said. "Musicians wouldn't come in because of the smoke, so patrons won't come in."

While smoking will no longer be allowed in the restaurant, there is a two-tiered deck outside to accommodate smokers.

Poodie's will celebrate "The Last Smokeout," an event to commemorate the last day of smoking, with bands performing throughout the day July 4. The following day, Poodie's will introduce the policy with headlining acts Larry Joe Taylor and William Clark Green. Poodie's is located on 22308 W. Hwy 71.