opening up a cigar bar - your thoughts

[classic]

hello everyone,

i am currently dreaming about opening up a cigar bar... and would like to hear your thoughts on it... can you point me to your favorite ones? does anyone in here actually run a cigar bar by any chance? i was thinking walk-in-humidor with the service that you can have your own boxes stored... a nice selection of drinks and for food just some cheese and sausage plates... currently in the process of making a business plan... would be happy to hear your thoughts...

 

[Life in smoke]

Fox's cigar bar Gilbert AZ, owners name is Cliff, was very friendly to us Botl when we herfed there, sure he wouldn't mind answering some questions for you if you gave them a ring.

 

[Captain_Midnight]

Fun topic. I often like to dream about owning a small business - something related to a hobby or passion. Maybe one day I'll try my hand at it, if I see a market for it. Can't really offer any advice, but I'll be watching this thread closely.

 

[Cojonu]

hello everyone,

i am currently dreaming about opening up a cigar bar... and would like to hear your thoughts on it... can you point me to your favorite ones? does anyone in here actually run a cigar bar by any chance? i was thinking walk-in-humidor with the service that you can have your own boxes stored... a nice selection of drinks and for food just some cheese and sausage plates... currently in the process of making a business plan... would be happy to hear your thoughts...

Since your asking for our thoughts I will share just a few of mine as far as what I look for.

1) Good ventilation system/outdoor seating. I love Cigars but just don't enjoy bathing in the smoke of everyone's cigars. The smoke must be well cleared from the room for me to want to frequent.
2) Friendly and unpretentious
3) Helpful knowledgable service. I like when the staff is there to assist as needed but not when they make me feel as if I have been on America's most wanted cigar thieves..
4) great cigar selection with reasonable prices. I don't mind paying a little more for very rare or hard to find smokes but don't like being gouged.
That's about it as far as what I like but one more thing I can share with you is the most recent cigar loung that opened near me has a selection of spirits,wine and beer. In order to get a liquore lisence they needed to have a commercial kitchen and a full food menu do that their customers weren't getting hammered with nothing in there stomachs and then hop into their cars. You might want to check your local laws as you write out your business plan.

 

[Cigary43]

I see that your location is in Istanbul...if so I don't know enough about the country that would help you with your business plan but if you plan to open one in the United States it's more about the surroundings than the actual cigar. More money is made within the confines of what you sell inside the cigar bar....drinks, food, keeping people inside your business is what you are looking at and that means revenue. Finding brand name cigars at a good price point from the manufacturer is your biggest hurdle since you'd be a new cigar business. Having a B&M with good seating, big screen and enough room for a pool table..etc. is what will keep people inside your place...did I mention alcohol? Selling alcohol can make you money but it can also cause you issues...see post above. There are plenty of other ideas but it's all about money...and lots of it when you start down this road.