Cigar Lounge

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Harlem Sanctuary: A New Haven for Cigar Smokers

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photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary

 

There are many adversities for NYC cigar smokers and retailers. Between high taxes and constant pushbacks from congress and the community, there aren’t many places we can go to enjoy a product that is supposed to help us relax. Amidst what seems to be a bleak future, a new hope shines through and plants itself among the streets of Harlem. 

 

Harlem Sanctuary is a social group established by Rajab Curtis and his business partner Charles Godbold. The location hides between two brick buildings without signage except their logo “H/S” on one slim door. The lounge is dimly lit and decorated with paintings Rajab had personally procured through various artists such as King Prolifik, Kenneth Picasso, etc. There is a small walk-in humidor towards the back filled with cigars ranging from local boutique brands such as Cigargods to more well-known brands like Oscar Valladares’s Leaf by Oscar. One of the most intricate things is a secret stairwell behind one particular painting that leads you to the basement level. This separate area is specifically for hookah smokers that can also be occupied by cigar smokers, just not the other way around. 

photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary
photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary
photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary

 

During an interview, Rajab stated that he wanted to recreate the golden age in African American Culture, the Harlem Renaissance, and combine that with the welcoming and relaxing vibe of a cigar lounge. When asked what his vision and goals are for the club, Rajab mentioned the five principles Harlem Sanctuary was founded on, also known as the five Cs: Cigars, Creativity, Collaboration, Culture, and Community. With that in mind, he wants to provide his club members with new experiences through events such as Game Nights, Culture events, Networking, Lady’s Nights, and many more. 

photo courtesy of Harlem Sanctuary

 

Currently, Harlem Sanctuary is still in a soft opening stage due to various delays that are out of their control. However, you can check out the lounge with a day pass or become a member. For more details, please visit their website. 

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BREAKING: Merchants Cigar Bar to Reopen in December 2020

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In the midst of a global pandemic that has shuttered businesses everywhere and seen the end of NYC cigar industry heavyweights like Nat Sherman, there is a rare piece of good news for NYC cigar smokers. Merchants NY Cigar Bar , which closed in December of 2016, has announced plans to reopen on December 2nd, 2020. The website is back up, complete with a new logo, new design, and much more.

One of the few in NYC to serve cigars, drinks and food in one place, Merchants Cigar Bar will return with an all-new menu of premium cigars, cocktails, and food service. The lounge will have a new look and feel too. When the cigar bar was shuttered in 2016, management redesigned the interior space to a Mad Men-esque mid-century modern vibe and relaunched as Sugar East, a bar where patrons could smoke cigarettes but not cigars. The new Merchants Cigar Bar will keep the same bones, but with updated leather furniture and new visual features.

Fernando Rodriguez, Director of Operations at Merchants Hospitality, describes the new space having a “chill, modern feel” in contrast to the older, more traditional lounge. When asked about how the venue plans to open during COVID, Rodriguez described the rigorous health and safety measures being undertaken. “We have spared no expense creating a venue that New Yorkers can feel safe and comfortable in,” Rodriguez said. “From basics like heightened sanitation and mandatory masks for staff to plexiglass separators for tables and a world class filtration system that kills airborn bacteria and viruses, we are ready to open and welcome patrons in to our new experience.”

To start, the lounge will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. Currently, the lounge has a maximum capacity of 30 people, less than a quarter of its total capacity.

Merchants Cigar Bar is located at 1125 1st Avenue on the southwest corner of 1st ave and 62nd st on the Upper East Side.

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The Carnegie Club Reopens With Outside Seating

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Starting on Tuesday, July 7th, The Carnegie Club is reopening for the first time since it closed on March 16th due to the global pandemic. Scott Asbury, Carnegie Club’s manager confirmed via email that the legendary cigar bar will open outdoor seating for the first time in its history.

Key details on the opening include:

  • Establishment Hours: 3pm – 9pm
  • Tables will be spaced 6 feet
  • Guest masks are not required except in order to use the restroom
  • Staff masks required at all times
  • With limited seating, reservations are suggested
  • RSVPS can be made on the Carnegie Club website or via email at info@hospitalityholdings.com
  • Happy Hour 3pm-6pm  consisting of select $6 beers, $8 wines and $11 cocktails

Scott explained in his email that Carnegie Club may extend the hours and days of operation depending on the demand. He went on to write

“The situation will be very fluid and we will be constantly refining how we do everything since this is uncharted territory.  We were planning on waiting for Phase 3 to start this Monday for indoor seating but when they cancelled it we felt compelled to be proactive and just assume that indoor seating will not be allowed for awhile and that we have to adapt to survive. 

We got our approval for outdoor seating and met up at The Carnegie Club shortly after to figure out how we could pull this off in a matter of days.  We ordered some open air tents that should be arriving today and some barricades to claim our street space.  We will come up with some branded banners to cover up the metal on the barricades but will not likely have them in time for opening so it may not be pretty at first but in the interest of getting started we are going to go with what we have and improve it as we go.  

As you know we have never had outdoor seating and are not set up for that so it will be like starting a whole new business.  Mistakes will be made and that’s fine.  We will make it work and most importantly listen to any and all feedback from everyone.  I do hope we can figure out a way to hold events too.  I’ve already got a few ideas on how but I still want to see how things develop.”

As much as we are all eagerly awaiting the reopening of our indoor cigar lounges in NYC, it’s refreshing to see cigar bars like The Carnegie Club take the lead on reopening.

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Barclay Rex Opens for Retail, Member-Only Lounge, and Outdoor Seating

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Barclay Rex storefront via Google Maps

Last week, Barclay Rex emailed customers announcing the reopening of the store, including the walk in humidor which is now open to the public (unlike other notable NYC cigar retailers like Davidoff where only staff are allowed to walk into the humidor). In addition, the members-only lounge is now open on the condition that reservations are made ahead of time.

Lastly, Barclay Rex has opened limited outdoor seating and hopes to gain a permit for more outdoor seating in the coming week.

Outdoor seating at Barclay Rex on Pearl St.

Below is the email that went out to the Barclay Rex mailing list last week:

Thank you for all the support during this challenging time. We are thrilled to officially announce our reopening, on Monday, for in-store shopping during Phase 2 New York City reopening. Please make note of our most updated information:

  • Barclay Rex will be open Monday-Friday 10am-7pm. Feel free to call, email or shop inside the store for all of your purchases.
  • Rex Club is officially reopened to members and their guests. Please note that a reservation is required. Please call or email before you come. Priority seating and availability will be given to Rex Club members with earlier reservations.
  • Before you order online, please consider ordering through us. We are currently offering a 10% discount off of any box orders and will match any online box price. We are currently ordering for the following cigar companies: Padron, Davidoff, Avo, Camacho, Griffin, Tatuaje, Placencia, Altadis, My Father, Drew Estate, Santana, Ashton and Arturo Fuente
  • Tobacco orders can also be picked up or delivered to you. Here is a list of our famous tobaccos: Aromatics: Maravilla, El Moreno, Alkazar, Royal Scott, Diplomat, Jack O’ Hearts, Rexey, Peter McGurk’s. Non-Aromatics: Barclay Slice, Hampton Bay, Maiden Lane, Vincents, #4, #6

Please remain safe and healthy. We are excited to welcome you back into our store.

Best,

Barclay Rex

212-962-3355

barclayrexcigars@gmail.com

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New York City Davidoff Locations Reopen (No Lounges Yet)

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Davidoff of Geneva announced today that NYC stores are back open after months of closure due to COVID 19. In an email, a representative from Davidoff outlined some of the health and safety measures being implemented to keep customers and staff safe, including: 

  • Customers are recommended to wear face coverings upon entry. Staff are required to.
  • Sales professionals will guide the shoppers experience. Customers will not be allowed to enter the humidor. Floor markers will provide a space to wait for staff to make selection and present to the customer.
  • Similar floor markers are provided by point of sale area for customers to maintain 6ft distancing.
  • Additional signage will be applied in multiple areas throughout the store to ensure current operation measures are understood and followed.
  • No outside food or beverage will be allowed.

Lounges will remain closed until further notice.

Store hour vary from store to store, see below.

  • Madison: Mon-Saturday: 10AM-5PM / Sunday closed.
  • 6th Avenue: Mon-Fri: 11AM-5PM / Weekends closed
  • Downtown: Mon – Fri: 11AM-7PM / Sat and Sun: 12PM-6PM
  • Brooklyn:  Mon – Saturday:10AM-8PM / Sunday: 10AM – 6PM

Note: due to the fast-moving nature of laws, regulations, and requirements around COVID 19, I suggest calling ahead before visiting a Davidoff location.

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