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In persuit of something more...

D

Dave

Padilla Lanceros, yum yum!!
Joined
Nov 9, 2006
Messages
1,398
Location
Brooklyn, NY
A co-worker and I are entertaining the idea of opening up our own cigar lounge. This is definitely not something that is going to happen overnight, but perhaps in the coming months. We have a neighborhood picked out, but are still in need of a store front. We are still working out the neccessities such as permits to sell tobacco, sell spirits, etc. to give us a rounded estimate on the initial cost.

So, seeking some advice from all of you cigar lounge/B&M workers and owners, or even from you S/BOTLs who frequent cigar lounges and B&Ms, what would be good additions/neccessities to a nice cigar lounge?
 
Dave said:
what would be good additions/neccessities to a nice cigar lounge?
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A website. With a mailing list, to keep your customers updated on what's going on and special events. Also makes it easy to find you for out of towners. Whenever I go away, one of the first things I do in my trip planning is googling "cigar lounge," "cigar bar," etc.

Lots of pictures, and as detailed a list as possible as to what you carry (both cigar and drink), and what amenities you offer - TV, pool, dart board, Golden Tee (not a fan, but the machine at my local ALWAYS has someone on it).
 
A roller would be a good thing if you can swing it.
 
ALWAYS be freindly and KNOW your products.

I have been to many cigar shops and many times they look at you like you are some sort of disease becaus eyou are not one of the "regulars". Or they will have lounge areas for "members only". Don't be exclusive or exclusionary.

Also, many of the places I have been are staffed by idiots who know nothing . . . or worse they think they know about tobacco and cigars.

The place I go to ALL of the time treated me like family the first time I went in there, which was righat after I began to smoke cigars. I was approached by the owner within minutes of walking into the humidor. He asked what I had smoked before (which was not much) and explained the differences in the cigars and all the different sizes. I selected a couple sticks and he invited me to stay and smoke. One time when I came back in I happened to tell him that one of the cigars I had bought was plugged. He immediately apologized and replaced it with two others! I have been introduced to many of the regulars and have become one my self now too.

Good luck with your endeavors.

- Jason
 
Bold venture - There is no such thing as a bad business, just bad management - good luck!

Brian
 
Everything said above.

You do not want to get into the food business, but having maybe something to munch on would be great. Drinks are a given, but something to refresh the mouth, something to give one a reason to stay longer but that will take away the hunger. Coffee, maybe nuts, chips, pretzels, etc. I have not thought about this deeply enough but outside of the restaurants where you can smoke, the cigar lounges I have visited I always wished they had some munchies.

I hope you get this off the ground and become very successful. It will be a great place. :thumbs:
 
A friend of mine are trying to do the same thing here in CT. We keep getting caught up on the smoking laws but some of the things we learned are:

1. Its easier if you don't serve alcohol. BYOB is OK as long as you don't serve it.
2. Size matters. We found that the larger places we looked at gave us better ventilation and more places to put places to sit.
3. The folks we asked liked live music. Blues, Jazz, didn't matter (we are planning to offer live jam sessions free)
4. Have fun with it.

Fish
 
AngryFishH said:
A friend of mine are trying to do the same thing here in CT. We keep getting caught up on the smoking laws but some of the things we learned are:

1. Its easier if you don't serve alcohol. BYOB is OK as long as you don't serve it.
2. Size matters. We found that the larger places we looked at gave us better ventilation and more places to put places to sit.
3. The folks we asked liked live music. Blues, Jazz, didn't matter (we are planning to offer live jam sessions free)
4. Have fun with it.

Fish
Click to expand...

Ditto on the live music. The good thing about NYC is that there are plenty of musicians that would play for free or a reasonable price. You don't have to have it every night but maybe on a Thursday-Friday-Sat would be cool. If I had any spare cash and the time, I would love to join you but duty calls overseas. Again, break a leg!! :cool:
 
JAEwing said:
ALWAYS be freindly and KNOW your products.
Click to expand...

Great advice!

The only two B&Ms I have frequented are completely different. When I was going to school in Springfield, the store down there was nice, but there was no where to really smoke comfortably. Also, it was somewhat snobby. Most guys didn't have an idea of what I was after or had "never heard of that." The also tried to sell me on stuff when I told them I was looking for something that was completely different.

The Outlaw in K.C. is the complete opposite. Great guys and fantastic environment. I would contact Brad and ask him for advice.
 
A wise man once said "never turn your hobby into a profession, it will ruin the your hobby". Good luck!
 
The BYOB thing is a good idea, the liquor license isn't. At least in lots of places in Michigan, liquor licenses can run you $500k and require a shitload of training, supervision from them folks above and increased scrutiny in the community. I'd personally do BYOB, but I'd have glasses, napkins, ice, etc either free of charge or for a nominal charge (ie. $1 to run the dishwasher or to prevent people stealing glasses because they thing "hey they're free").
 
I'd say having a good atmosphere to have a cigar would be a huge plus. Such as the right furniture, HDTV, good service, and the right type of drinks, ranging from ports, single malts to beers/wine. A knowledgeable and friendly staff would be a huge plus also along with a great humidor of smokes. The snack foods mentioned, like appetizers, would be a big plus also, though not a requisite. Also, keep the lighting fee to a low $ number or none if it makes business sense would be great.
 
If space and budget is not a concern, humidified cigar lockers would be a great addition. An annual fee could be charged or require an annual minimum purchase of products. Of course you would need a system to ID and track purchases. I think this would be a win win for both you and your customers.
Good Luck

Bob
 
There should be loads of student jazz combos from local universities that would play at any kind of establishment for free or a nominal fee.
 
Wow Dave that's a great idea. Not sure what neighborhood you have in mind but I have always thought that Brooklyn needs a cigar lounge. Friendly place for everyone to come in and enjoy themselves. The exact opposite of the Humidor as far as the crowd and the attmosphere goes. I think you know what I mean. Drop me a PM I would love to know more :thumbs:
 
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