The Soul of Smoke

Finding the perfect cigar lounge

Clubs across this great land should seek ways to return a centuries-old tradition back to their physical spaces: smoking rooms. Any cigar smoker can rattle off the draconian laws that make this difficult, but several clubs including Charlotte’s City Club and Manhattan’s Union League Club have figured this out.

Nonetheless, finding a space to smoke cigars on your club’s reciprocal listing means that one must search for the company and respite that is found in clubs in cigar lounges.

New Orleans has a reputation that includes Mardi Gras, a smorgasbord of culinary traditions, and streets that most Americans would struggle to pronounce. And, after my recent trip, the best cigar lounge that I’ve ever been to.

In February, I was in New Orleans for a day to surprise an old friend for his birthday. Our plan was simply to drink our way up and down Bourbon Street and return home the following afternoon. Upon landing on Friday morning, my club fever symptoms were at their onset and my remedy of choice was a nice morning cigar.