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Your best/favorite features for a cigar lounge?

MyFathersKeeper

MyFathersKeeper

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I'm currently working with a client that will be opening a cigar lounge and thought I 'd help by reaching out here to pick the collective brain of BOTL. The general concept is something with some class. Not necessarily a "many leather-bound books and smells of rich mahogany" place, but definitely not a PBR-smashing frat bro hangout either. They will have a full bar, a nice craft selection on tap, & smokes to purchase there. Personal lockers will be available to rent/purchase, & he wants to include space for a conference room where members can meet with clients.

My question to you guys is: what would not only get you in the door, but keep you coming back? General decor/ambiance? Staff? Cigar inventory? Location? (How far would you drive to get to somewhere like this?) Sponsored events? Really any advice or recommendation would be appreciated. We don't have a comparable place in this market and I want to help ensure sure they're successful.

Thanks in advance!
 
KFBR392

KFBR392

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Perhaps this is off topic, but I would love a place where I could go and bring my own cigars and even my own bourbon. I pay so much and have a huge collection that I never go to B&M's because I've already invested so much in smokes and booze that to go and pay $15 for an $8 stick and then $15 for 2 bourbons is just crazy to me. Maybe what I'm envisioning is more like a "club" or a private lounge where you can just buy a membership and have a place to smoke your own stuff. I'd like a place like that, especially in the winter.
 
mdwest

mdwest

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Lounge only events was a big attraction at my old lounge...

they would bring in DE or Tat or whoever to do an event for the shop... but then would have lounge only exclusives and other things going on for lounge members as well (they would cater the event inside the lounge, work with the manufacturers for additional "give aways" or other perks for lounge members, etc.. anyone could walk off the street and attend the event.. but lounge members got something to eat and drink, an extra stick, etc..etc.. once they stepped inside the lounge.. that people walking off the street didnt get)..
 
Dameron

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Selection is definitely number one. I would also say that a helpful and knowledgeable staff is nice to have but only when you need them. I know that the lounge can't control this but the people make it great too. I've had to sit through some pretty boring conversations. Also, my lounge has a BYOB policy which is nice to have.
 
Rexinator989

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From reading your post they will have a bar, so the BYOB goes out the window. But I second a reasonable member fee that would allow for you to bring your smokes. Granted the average person may not have the cigar "collections" most of us have but having this fee would allow for many other people to come in and enjoy the atmosphere. And lets be honest these "members" would end up buying cigars anyway.
-with the bar i am not sure how you could do this but a 24 access, key fob. maybe the bar area is locked behind a set of doors or something.

Decor - got to keep it clean. Granted its interesting to walk into a shop/lounge with stuff everywhere but many individuals would most likely prefer a clean area. Some artwork and pieces strategically placed.

Poker Table or table that would allow for games to be played could help draw a different crowd on specific nights.

Maybe a tech free spot that would be out of the way of TVs and no devices. Sit back and enjoy, maybe something near a window that would allow for view if this possible. (i was recently at a shop that had a wooden indian holding a box that said no cell phones beyond this point, was kinda of refreshing)

Outside Area - could hold alot of different events with nice weather, outdoor seating/grill

Good luck with your client.
 
multi-useless

multi-useless

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#1 - proper humidification -> NO MOLD!!!

Outside of that... large selection and large lounge area with room to spread out, where a guy can either choose to socialize or find a quiet corner.
 
Pharmpro

Pharmpro

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Many of us with cigars already coming out of our ears find it a tough pill to swallow to have to buy sticks at a B&M to enjoy. Selfishly, we want a comfy place to smoke our own sticks and enjoy the comrade of our friends. The reality is it's completely unfair to expect a shop owner to pay his rent, staff, utilities, payroll , etc while we take up space in his shop freeloading. Solution? Charge a minimal BYOC fee (cutting fee) for those situations on the honor system.
That feature alone would keep me coming back. I don't feel like sneaking in the door with my own sticks hidden up my sleeve. Let me pay a small fee (comparable to retailer markup on a single) and enjoy myself.
 
mdwest

mdwest

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Pharmpro said:
Many of us with cigars already coming out of our ears find it a tough pill to swallow to have to buy sticks at a B&M to enjoy. Selfishly, we want a comfy place to smoke our own sticks and enjoy the comrade of our friends. The reality is it's completely unfair to expect a shop owner to pay his rent, staff, utilities, payroll , etc while we take up space in his shop freeloading. Solution? Charge a minimal BYOC fee (cutting fee) for those situations on the honor system.
That feature alone would keep me coming back. I don't feel like sneaking in the door with my own sticks hidden up my sleeve. Let me pay a small fee (comparable to retailer markup on a single) and enjoy myself.
Click to expand...
Thats a non issue at my old lounge...

you pay $200 a year to be a lounge member... $250 a year if you want a locker...

what you smoke and what you store in your locker is your business.. no one at the shop cares... you paid your lounge fee.. thats what pays for the comfy chair, the owners rent, staff, utilities, etc..

He gets the added benefit of about 400 people (roughly the number of members at my old lounge) that are in his shop on a regular basis, that buy beer, sodas, etc.. and as often as not, buy cigars from him too (although not a requirement)..

What I got for $250 a year was a very nice place to smoke, filled with people that are cigar enthusiasts, a wi-fi connection, a couple of big screens, and access to "lounge exclusives" and lounge member discounts (we got 10% off all purchases in the shop, and 15% off of box purchases, etc..etc..).. and a place to store about 50 of my cigars (in a desktop humi inside my locker) and a couple of nice bottles of whiskey for a year..

seemed like a pretty fair trade to me..

It would have pissed me off if they tried to charge me a cutting fee in addition to my membership fee...
 
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