Every cigar smoker eventually has the same thought…usually around 10:47 PM. Second single malt, third cigar.

“You know what? I should open a cigar lounge.”

I get it. You’re sitting there in a comfortable chair, music’s right, everybody’s relaxed, cigars are burning, conversations are flowing. It feels like the easiest business in the world.

Well, let’s just rein in that energy, d’Artagnan*.

*Yes, I made a The Three Musketeers reference. It’s my party, I will do what I want. 

Let’s cover a few things behind-the-scenes that you may not have considered.

First problem, nobody leaves…Nobody.

A guy walks in at 1 PM saying, “Just stopping by for one quick cigar.”

Now it’s dark outside, he’s ordered wings from Uber Eats, and he’s halfway through explaining why the 1987 Dolphins were underrated (they weren’t).

In some cases…ok, most…you’re opening an adult daycare center with humidity control. It is a LOT of babysitting.

Then there are the chairs.

Nobody treats cigar lounge furniture with respect. I don’t know why.

A brand new leather chair enters a lounge looking like a Bentley interior. Six months later it looks like it survived a bar fight behind a Waffle House.

And every lounge has that one guy who believes he “owns” a specific chair despite contributing absolutely nothing toward purchasing it.

If you sit there by mistake…well…go read about Alpha Dogs.

Then comes ventilation.

The second you open a cigar lounge, every human being becomes an HVAC consultant. I swear cigar smokers can detect airflow problems the way sharks detect blood.

“You really should’ve gone with negative pressure.”

“Smoke hangs in that back corner.”

“You need another return vent.”

I don’t know what any of that means but that dude that can’t find his phone on the bar stool seems to know everything.

I can tell you one thing…a properly vented lounge will cost you an effing fortune. Really…look it up before you make any moves…that alone may scare you off.

And the inventory sounds fun until it isn’t.

You would think this is the easiest part. Ha…that is cute.

Everybody thinks you just bring in whatever is hot, throw it on the shelf, and site by the register.

Not even close.

If you are doing it right, it means staring at spreadsheets, wondering how you somehow own 900 cigars nobody asked for, while your bestseller disappeared in 36 minutes.

The same guys screaming: “You NEED to carry this brand!” will somehow never buy it.

Ever.

Then there’s the music battle.

I am not a big fan of loud music in a lounge…but some people love it. But people will not AGREE on what music.

One guy wants jazz.
One guy wants outlaw country.
One guy wants yacht rock.
And there’s always some psychopath that wants EDM…whatever the hell that is.

The Bluetooth speaker guy from every lounge eventually shows up, too. Every time.

If you don’t have a fight over music, it will be television. Golf, Football, Soccer, Golden Girls. Who knows what everyone will agree on.

And despite all of this, the idea of opening a cigar lounge still amazes me.

Because the truth is, cigar lounges aren’t really businesses in the normal sense. They’re weird little clubhouses. Spend four to five hours solving the world’s problems only to have them all messed up when you return the next day.

Honestly, that’s probably why so many cigar smokers think they should open one. For one good night at a lounge, it genuinely feels like the best business idea on earth.

Until that dude with the Bluetooth speaker shows up anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions About Opening a Cigar Lounge

Is owning a cigar lounge profitable?

Some are very profitable. Many are not.

Most cigar smokers see the busy Friday night crowd and assume the owner is printing money. What they don’t see are rent, payroll, insurance, ventilation costs, inventory, utilities, taxes, and the fact that Steve has been sitting in the same chair for six hours, nursing a single coffee.

How much does it cost to open a cigar lounge?

The answer ranges from “more than you think” to “significantly more than that.”

The biggest surprise for many prospective owners is ventilation. A proper commercial smoke filtration and HVAC system can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the size of the space.

Why do cigar smokers want to open cigar lounges?

Because hanging out in a great cigar lounge is fun. Running one is work. Most cigar smokers are in love with the customer experience, not necessarily the business model behind it.

What is the hardest part of owning a cigar lounge?

Keeping customers happy without losing your sanity. One customer wants jazz. Another wants football. A third wants complete silence. Somehow all three arrive at the exact same time.

Do cigar lounges make money on cigars alone?

Usually not. Many lounges rely on memberships, events, food, beverages, accessories, and other revenue streams to support the business. Selling cigars is important, but it is often only part of the equation.

Why do cigar lounges need expensive ventilation systems?

Because nobody wants to leave smelling like they spent three days inside a campfire. Good ventilation keeps customers comfortable, protects employees, and helps create an environment where people can enjoy cigars for hours.

What mistakes do new cigar lounge owners make?

Many underestimate startup costs, overestimate demand, and assume inventory management will somehow take care of itself. It will not.

The cigars you thought would fly off the shelves will sit there for months. The ones you didn’t order enough of will disappear immediately.

Should I open a cigar lounge?

If your primary motivation is that you enjoy spending time in cigar lounges, probably not. If you enjoy managing inventory, handling customer service, maintaining facilities, balancing budgets, solving problems, and occasionally getting to smoke a cigar, then maybe. Those are two very different hobbies.