Las Vegas is one of the best places to smoke a cigar. And even though there are now restrictions in most restaurants and some bars, you can still smoke on the casino floor and in most outdoor public places. A bevy of unique cigar shops & lounges continues to do well in Las Vegas. Just like the diversity of visitors and attractions, there is a cigar shop that appeals to just about every cigar smoker.
En Fuegos might be the most comfortable lounge with no rules, come and smoke your cigar. EF focuses on more boutique blends. Michael Abdoulah, the proprietor, wanted a shop and bar that fit the way he liked to smoke cigars. For example, they brought in the Leaf Cigar by Oscar. It looks rough as it is wrapped in a tobacco leaf. However, he found that after looking at it, then trying it, his customers were fans. Warped is a good, small cigar company that is representative of the brands EF stocks. No alcohol here, but at the Henderson location, alcohol is allowed. Also, they have their own En Fuego house blend, thanks to a manufacturing and import license, so they roll their own on site.
If you want something a little off the strip, with a bit more local flavor, then the CigarBox is a real locals’ cigar lounge. Just west of the Strip on Dean Martin behind Caesar’s, this is easy to get to, and you definitely come down a notch from the bustle level of the Las Vegas Blvd. The Cigar Box added a bar, which serves a variety of craft beer, wine, coffee/espresso, and soda. While there is an open area for all to converse, they also have a conference room that can be used for meetings and small events. Like their sister operation, Casa Fuente, they feature a wide cigar selection and not exclusive to Arturo Fuente cigars, with everything from moderately priced sticks to boutique smokes.
The Havana Cigar Lounge, while only open for seven months, has made an impact on the cigar scene due to the vision of Michael Alexander. Lots to like about this establishment as it is classic comfort – nice chairs, a 120-inch television, big pictures and relaxed atmosphere that says stay a while. The humidor has a variety of well known balanced with some things you haven’t likely heard about. Some of the boutique brands include the Santos De Miami Extreme Boxed Pressed, La Rosa De San Diego in Maduro, Habano, and Connecticut, and Bariay 1492 toro. Just soda, tea, and bottled water, but ample libations and the food is just around the corner. Since it is a mile from the strip, easy to get to and haul some sticks back to the casino.
La Casa in Summerlin is a high-end lounge that features an incredible spirits collection combined with nightly entertainment. This is the perfect marriage of a nightclub with a cigar bar. This operation is located in Tivoli Village, so shopping and dining are all within an easy walk. The proximity makes for a great evening out of dining, and then cigars combined with liquid and musical libations. Dance contests also occur with regularity. When the weather is a little better, their two outdoor patio areas are perfect cigar/drink settings.
Casa Fuente is one of the premier cigar lounges on the Strip. Open for over 11 years, CF is a mix of bar, cigar lounge, outdoor-type smoking, and humidor. While others are shopping at the Forum Shops, get your stogie on with a premium beverage. CF is home to Arturo Fuente brand cigars and sports two other exclusive cigar lines in the large humidor. CF has arguably the premier selection of mojitos in the area, and CF boasts over 100 whiskeys on the spirits list.
If you want part social scene and part cigar opportunity, the Davidoff of Geneva Cigar Bar is more like an upscale lounge that also happens to be in the cigar business. An extensive open-air patio section with heaters beckons private parties and corporate groups in this location in the Fashion Show Mall. They have an education series designed to make females comfortable with the cigar experience. Also, the bar area has a nifty floor to ceiling ventilation system, so the non-smoker does not get overwhelmed. The bar pours craft drinks and specialties from top to bottom, with over 400 products. From the Oro Blanco on down, the humidor is small but mighty in luxury cigar offerings.
The cigar business seems to attract exciting characters, and Paul Vato, a former actor, and writer is now the cigar baron of downtown. Vato Cigars is a like LV cigars used to be when Sinatra and Martin were puffing. VG is a modestly sized shop within a Fremont Street casino with personal service. The smoking lounge is next door inside Benny’s Smokin’ BBQ & Brew. Paul does some unique events, such as the cigar crawl where you get six premium cigars, drink specials and a look inside the cigar history of Las Vegas. Despite the size, Vato has a good selection of premium cigars and also rolls his own. Last but literally lengthy is the “All In” cigar, 18 inches long and sure to keep you puffing for more than three hours.