Cigar Lounge Pros and Cons
Updated: Mar 16
I was talking this topic over with Mark Jr. and we started discussing on what amenities would make a good vs. bad cigar lounge. In this blog we want to share our thoughts we think are Pros vs Cons of cigar lounges. Later we will share what amenities we think are important in the design and functions of a "good" cigar lounge.
Cigar Lounge Pros: Jr. and myself both agree there are a few benefits to a joining a lounge. There are indoor/outdoor differences of course, but for now we will discuss the benefits of indoor lounges. If you have questions or comments, please reach out to us on our social media platforms on Cigar Tipsters.
Air Conditioning: One of the primary benefits of an indoor lounge is air conditioning, both cooling and heating. A/C levels out a constant temperature within the lounge and helps ensure the most relaxed climate for smoking, especially if you
live in the far North or South.
Furniture: Most cigar lounges worth their weight will have comfortable furniture to relax, as you are going to be sitting down for some time. The more comfortable the furniture, the longer you remain, and perhaps encourage you for multiple purchases throughout the day.
Selection: Most cigar lounges have a large selection of cigars and accoutrement for purchase. The wider the variety of choices available, the more likely you are to shop there.
Food Compliments: Nothing brings out the most full-bodied experiences with a cigar than food and libations. My recommendation is to talk to your local shop owner or bartender to discover a delicious pairing that works for you.
Fellowship: The primary reason you will want to become a member of a cigar lounge, paid or free, is for the fellowship. I cannot tell you how many friends I have met in my travels among different lounges. Most have friendly staff, food and drink compliments, and customers to share a laugh or two. Despite all the stereotypical negative customers, the majority is there to relax, have a good time, and wind down from a hard day's work.
Customer Service: The most critical component to for any establishment to stay in business is repeat customers. Customer service is one of the top priorities to determine before choosing a favorite lounge. It’s a more personal touch of service beyond online shopping.
Product and Service Guarantee: When you order cigars online, you are ordering from a warehouse and unfortunately you may not know how long, or in what conditions those cigars sat in the warehouse prior to your arrival. When you purchase cigars in person you have the support of the staff to ensure you are enjoying your experience. If you have a broken/damaged cigar, for example, or spill your drink they will almost always replace it, refund you, and/or top off your drink for the inconvenience. (Just don’t spill your drink on purpose to get an easy freebie, that’s not how this works).
Cigar Lounge Cons: In contrast to all the benefits of an enclosed lounge, there are also a couple of caveats that we think are worth noting, helping you decide if joining a lounge is right for you. If you have alternative opinions or comments, again, please let us know.
Noise: If you are not in the mood for chatting and sharing memories with complete strangers, or having a crowd cheering sport playing on TV, then perhaps a cigar lounge/club may not be for you. Sometimes you get lucky and catch some alone time in the lounge to enjoy coffee, read a book, and relax in peace and quiet. Bare in mind however, depending on the lounge you attend, you are not the only one using that piece of real estate which can, and will, become noisy at times. It is the nature of the beast.
Disconnection: It sounds very attractive to enjoy a cigar in perfect climate, with food, drink, and an air filtration system in a dim relaxing environment. On the flip side it is equally attractive to enjoy a cigar in the outdoors. There is a more direct connection with a cigar when you are experiencing a natural product amongst the nature from whence it came. It is uniquely relaxing with free open air, the shade of a tree, and the picturesque view that an enclosed cigar lounge cannot duplicate. It might be a little warmer or a little cooler outside, but if you find the right location at the right time, and dress accordingly it can create a unique smoking experience.
Prices: Cigar lounges need to make money to keep the lights on. This means charging more for cigars and drinks as opposed to enjoying them at home. You're paying for the experience and customer service, and only you can decide if it is valuable enough to you. When you are purchasing online, you can restock your humidor for less money. Please make sure you are purchasing from a reputable and verified online retailer who can help ensure the quality and service of your purchases. You can expect to have great service and reasonable prices from Holt’s Cigar Co and Fox Cigar.
Distance: Unless you are one of the lucky few who live near a cigar lounge, there is a good chance you will have to drive some distance to get to and from the lounge. It is entirely up to you to determine whether your lounge is worth the extra round trip driving time.
If you like this or have a different opinion, leave us a comment on our website Cigar Tipsters we would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading!