The
smoke night or
smoke social was a predominantly Australian form of male only
social event in late nineteenth and early twentieth century
Australasia.
[Erik Eklund Steel town: the making and breaking of Port Kembla Melbourne Victoria: Melbourne University Press, 2002, 76, 88]
Background
Large groups of Australian men gathered in a venue to smoke
tobacco together in what they termed a smoke night. These lasted until the early 1940s. These events were socially significant, and often coupled with a
formal dinner, an annual general meeting or a
musical revue. While the full spectrum of Australian men participated in smoke socials—from Parliamentarians through to Port Kembla workers—the smoke night held an allure of classy behaviour and social
respectability for participating men. Smoke socials were run by
, charitable organizations, civic organizations,
, and
.
Further reading
See also
-
Smoking in Australia
-
Smoking in New Zealand
