subject: The Startling Popularity Of Cigars [print this page] The growth trend in cigar lounges is not that new actually. Cigar smoking started gaining popularity in the early 90's and have become increasingly popular, surprisingly, among all social classes, though historically cigars were associated with the rich and the famous. Ever noticed that there are ten times as many No Smoking boards today than there were only 10 years ago? Ever noticed fewer movies with rich people with pipes held tigtly near the corner of their mouths? Those arent just random observations, they are real.
Fewer people smoke in public these days and fewer do it compulsively. But that doesnt mean people dont enjoy a good smoke occasionally. Given all that, it might sound like a paradox, but occasional cigar smoking is actually on a major upswing. As more restaurants and bars are required to follow no smoking laws and cigars weren't allowed in most of them, anyway, it appears that cigar lounges are the new IN thing in America. Cigar lounges have popped up for those that are looking for a place to smoke cigars and socialize. Sociable hookah smoking has also been gaining in popularity rapidly in most cigar lounges.
The number one reason that patrons provide for why they frequent their cigar lounges is the ambience. I can relate to that. If you think about it, cigar lounges offer an air of relaxation and thats unlike any other. Its like a bar, but its got this exotic feel to it that bars and pubs dont have. It truly transcends you to a different world in a sense in a positive way, and thats what patrons are after. In recent times, it isn't unusual to see women sampling the finest cigars that are offered in cigar lounges.
Cigar lounges range in styles from the ritzy and chic to the historic and intimate, but they typically have a room-sized humidor where the finest cigars are kept fresh and can be purchased and stored for regulars. In fact, there are some cigar lounges that feature a "members only" room that is decorated in the finest style for their most frequent customers that might pay a fee, to enjoy the more private area. Mood and dcor can vary greatly, but the upscale feeling of most cigar lounges is dictated by the styles of music, art and dcor, along with the clientele that frequent the lounge.
So what are cigar lounges up to these days? Busy adding hundreds of different kinds of cigars for their customers to sample. The number of brands has grown exponentially over the last two decades as well. Cigar aficionados often have their favorite brand. Some get adventurous and try a different brand of cigar every time they visit their favorite cigar lounges to develop a taste for fine cigars. Scotch and whiskey go well with the fine ambience and most lounges try very hard to get a liquor license to be able to serve these. But dont go in expecting to find your favority alcoholic brand at any cigar lounge. Many just serve exotic coffees because of liquor law restrictions that might be tied to smoking ordinances. Combining alcohol and cigars creates a different effect that patrons often enjoy. There have been conflicting research on the effect of this. Like most things in life, in moderation, cigars and alcohol create a great pair. Another trend on the rise is multi-user hookahs the perfect group or party piece.
