Groucho Marx famously opined, “A woman is a temporary pleasure, while a good cigar is a smoke.” He was certainly not the first (and won’t likely be the last) to attest to the timeless treasure of enjoying a fine cigar. New York City’s cigar culture is one of the most vibrant, if not the most vibrant, of any major metropolitan center in the United States. Cigar lounges play a big role in that giving those who smoke cigars a place to relax and enjoy a good smoke.
However, with ordinances passed by city government in the last decade, no future cigar lounges may be opened within city limits. For the foreseeable future, the New York City is stuck with the lounges it has. Deciding to take part in this timeless tradition, Envision More sent an operative to dive feet-first into New York’s cigar culture, sampling lounges along the way.
Davidoff’s at Columbus Circle:
Located at The Shops at Columbus Circle (housed inside the Time Warner center) in Manhattan, Davidoff’s combines the premier lifestyle-and-cigar-store that has made the brand famous with an incredibly intimate cigar lounge. Essential to any lounge, Davidoff’s carries an expansive collection of cigars, particularly the ones produced by the company itself. The lounge, compared to most others in New York, can be considered to be small, with seating limited to under ten or twelve individuals when filled to capacity. This results in a forced camaraderie of sorts, with conversation between persons at the lounge being particularly rich. The major detracting feature of the establishment –its relatively small size- can be viewed in a positive light to due to the interactions between patrons. A great place to relax and have a smoke after a busy day at the office, Davidoff’s comes highly recommended.
Cigar Inn on 2nd Ave:
Since Cigar Inn opened its notable Cigar Aficionado lounge in February 2009, smoking in New York City has never been the same. Located on 2nd Ave between 53rd and 54th Street in Manhattan’s Midtown East, Cigar Inn has one of the most versatile lounges in the city. Wooden furnishings, a nice walk-through room humidor, large leather couches, multiple wall-mounted flat-screen televisions, and a beverage-filled refrigerator, Cigar Inn provides an extraordinarily relaxing environment designed for lounging and conversation with good friends. While alcohol may not be purchased on the premises due to city laws, the lounge’s BYOB policy is most welcome and makes the cigar experience all the more enjoyable. Its late night hours (closing at or after 1:00AM for Monday through Saturday) are always welcome. If you’re looking for a place to watch a sports event or wish to have a relaxing evening with a drink and a good cigar, this is the place to be.
Copyright Dan Downs 2010
NYC Used to be a fun place. WE had Great Bars, Hotels, Broadway, The Theater, and The East & West Village. The Sleaze & Allure of Times Square. Adult Businesses, Clubs, Bars, Organizations that catered to Adults.
WE had Tobacconists, Pipe & Cigar Shops with world wide reputations.
Then Thanks to Money Hungry & Corrupt administrations. We slowly lost Our Adult Businesses, Then the right to enjoy a smoke at a bar, club, or restaurants. or at work.
Here is a list of some of the places you will find. You will be able to smoke, & Meet like minded smokers.
If you know of any other places Please Let me know so our list will flourish.
1)Circa Tabac
32 Watts St
New York, NY 10013-1640
Phone: (212) 941-1781
2) VELVE
80 East 7th Street Bet 1-2 Aves
(BYOB) Beer, wine & Soft drinks only
NYC NY10003
(212)-533-5582
Web Site for Both Velvet Cigar Lounges http://www.velvetcigars.com
Hudson Bar & Books
636 Hudson Street,
NYC NY 10014
LEXINGTON BAR & BOOK
Address: 1020 Lexington Ave
NYC NY 10021
212 717 3902
Website: http://www.barandbooks.net
For a truly unique experience, head to Lexington Bar & Books. This tastefully done-up lounge is one of the best in New York. Subtle lighting and book-lined walls define the interiors, and the crowd is an interesting mix. Youll find aspiring writers breezing through books on one side and hip youngsters partying the night away on the other. Open till the wee hours of the morning, the place has an impressive wine list. It is however more famous for its single malt scotches. Bring your own cigars and have a memorable night at this elegant lounge.
BEEKMAN Bar & Book889 1st Avenue
(between 50th St & 51st St)
New York, NY 10022
(212) 758-6600
Club Macanudo, the quintessential cigar bar, seems to be operating just as before. Executives at owner General Cigar Holdings Inc. would not comment on whether the lounge (which, despite its name, is not a private club) had filed for a cigar bar exemption, but on a recent visit the bar was as smoker friendly as ever, with virtually everyone smoking a cigar or cigarette. (Click here for more on Club Macanudo.)
MERCHANTS EAST:
Address: 1125 First Avenue
(at 62nd)
New York, NY 10021
Very Nice Cigar Lounge. (Lenny)
FLORIO’S Bar & Restaurant & Three Little Indian Cigars
tel: 212-226-7610
E-mail: lacigars@aol.com
Get map: 192 Grand street
THIS Is A Must. Dinner Reservations A MUST for Smoking Section. (Lenny)
HAVANA DREAMS CIGAR LOUNGE
6310 WOODHAVEN BLVD
REGO PARK, NY 11374
UNITED STATES
PHONE: 718 685 0078
FAX: 718 685 0078
Website: http://www.havanadreamssmokelounge.com
NAT SHERMAN
500 5th Ave at 42nd St. Map
(800) 692-4427
Subway: B, D, F, Q to 42nd St.; 7 to Fifth Ave.
Mezzo Mezzo
31-29 Ditmars Blvd at 33rd St. Map
Astoria, NY
718-278-0444 (CALL FIRST)
Subway: N, W to Astoria-Ditmars Blvd.
The Smoke Chophouse
is located at 36 Engle Street,
Englewood, New Jersey 07631
Tel- 201-541-8530 Fax- 201-541-8503 E-mail asmokechop@aol.com
JR Cigar – Montecristo Lounge
301 Route 10 East
Whippany, NJ 07981
http://www.jrwhippany.com/index.cfm?page=lounge
The Metropolitan Society, LLC
1275 Bloomfield Avenue
Building 8, Suite 62
Fairfield, NJ 07004
(973) 287-3540
General Questions: E-mail Us
A Nice Leather Mans Bar in NYC “The Eagle”
Roof Top Smoking
554 W. 28th St., New York, NY 10001
nr. Eleventh Ave. See Map
646-473-1866
FOR THE BIGGEST & BOLDEST CIGAR’S CHECK OUT
http://www.Buzakas.com
Also Check Out
http://www.MartinezCigars.COM
Good Luck, Enjoy a Good Meal, A Nice beverage, A Great Smoke, And the company of other smokers.
Please call before you go to any of the spaces. As local Law Officials Constantly are changing our freedoms.
Keep on Smoking,
Lenny Waller
Spot on review about the lounge in our flagship Davidoff Columbus Circle establishment! It’s a comfortable den made for cigar enthusiasts from all walks of life to converge any time of the day. Enjoy a great cigar, interesting conversation and a well paired libation. A favorite lounge to many and one of the few cigar havens remaining in the city. Stop by our Madison venue store and De La Concha- two other wonderful venues!
Best regards,
Danielle Hawthorne
Brand Manager- Davidoff & Zino Classic
This really describes what it means to be a cigar enthusiast in New York City. The sense of community when walking into any one of these establishments is unrivaled, and comforting. It would be great to hear your take on more of the lounges that the city has to offer.
Finding a cigar you like can be a lengthy process. Aficionados are always working to identify qualities they find appealing in their everyday cigars. Don’t feel overwhelmed, if you are still trying to make sense of cigars you may and may not like.
We all have a ritual when it comes to enjoying a premium cigar. For me, it includes scotch and the daily newspaper at the end of a long day. Where, how, and what we smoke has become a standard routine for aficionados to enjoy.