We appear to be in a cigar boom.
Ah, Houston. Home to the Texans, the two-time World Series Champions Astros, the Rockets and the Queen Bey herself. It’s one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US, and because of that, it should come at no surprise that Houston is home to some of the best and most unique cigar bars in the country. If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s Houston, we don’t have a problem…with your cigar bars.
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Cigar Bars Make A Comeback
Following worldwide bans on smoking in public places, cigar bars have become something of an endangered species. But Sir has spotted a few of the clubby, usually dimly lit dens making appearances once more—all over the metropolitan area. And in some of the new iterations, they’ve got technology on their side—advanced air filtration systems make spending time in one a breath of fresh air.
In cigar bars you will find an atmosphere that is laid back and casual. Think of it as your den away from home. It is a place where you can meet with friends and business associates over cigars while enjoying good conversation. Many have all the comforts any respectable man-cave should have, such as leather recliners and sofas, a fireplace, flat panel TVs, large tables for card games, dominos, or your favorite board game. And WIFI access for the aficionado on the go.
Modern cigar lounge houses have well-stocked walk-in cigar humidors as well as a wide array of smoking accessories; cutters, lighters, and humidors. They usually also have offerings for pipe enthusiasts.
The perfect spot forladies to drop off their husband or boyfriend or invite girlfriends and their men and make an afternoon of it. We’ve heard from customers that Heights Cigar Lounge is like a “daddy daycare.”
It is our mission at Sir to recognize the offerings a place where friendships are important, service is paramount, and happy and satisfied customers matter most.
Perhaps second only to the cigar itself, a reliable, comfortable spot to smoke is one of the most important elements to truly enjoy a cigar, particularly in today’s restrictive smoking climate. Cigar spaces can come in all shapes, sizes and styles: for some it might be a back porch, a basement, a sidewalk or just a seat at their local retailer. But every cigar aficionado dreams of taking their personal cigar space to the next level, creating an idyllic cigar hangout that’s entirely their own. We list a few cigar lounges that have turned their fantasies into a reality.
After the pandemic getting back to normalcy had been hard on just about everyone. Some paid the ultimate price, others have lost loved ones, and even the luckiest among us have suffered. The masks have come off. People have emerged from their homes and returned to the workplace. We’ve taken a deep breath and once again are living our lives the way we remember.
With so many negatives since March of 2020, it’s pleasantly surprising to hear some good news—the cigar industry is booming. Imports of premium, handmade cigars were up in 2020—despite a start of the year that shut down cigar stores and cigar factories—and since the first quarter of 2021 things have been nothing short of remarkable. Cigar sales are soaring at numbers not seen since the late 1990s, with shipments up 47 percent in the first quarter of 2021. In the darkest days of this pandemic, people were looking for sources of pleasure and reward, and that reward became a cigar. Those of us who already enjoyed smoking cigars found more opportunities to light up, and new cigar enthusiasts discovered that a handmade cigar is one of life’s truly affordable luxuries. Show us something else that costs $10 and delivers an hour of pleasure.
Any talk of booms brings us back to the last period of exceptional growth in the cigar market, which began in the early 1990s. Thankfully, this boom appears to be different than the ’90s boom, at least for now. The 1990s cigar boom caught cigarmakers by surprise and led to depleted stocks of top-tier brands, a void that was filled by newcomers, many of which made substandard product. If you shopped for cigars in 1995, 1996 or 1997, you might remember those times when you couldn’t find one of your favorite smokes and your choices were sometimes unsmokeable. We don’t see that today—not yet—and veteran cigarmakers continue to respond to surging orders. Sure, some small-production rarities are hard to get, but if you walk into a cigar store today you will likely find a wide range of choices, with a generally high quality of product, something reflected in our blind cigar tastings.
There are a few hidden gems and spots around town that not only allow the purchase and enjoyment of a cigar but offer a quality spirit or beverage to pair with them. Some places only offer nice smoking patios, but as long as there are seats and a comfortable place to relax, it’s fair game, though you might have to bring your own cigars to smoke at some of these bars. Here below, a list of places around Houston to smoke a cigar and enjoy a drink, together.
