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September 2005: Men's Clubs with Cigars

All across America there are different versions of Men's Clubs from luxurious and exclusive Country Clubs to a place to "hang out" in a park. The fundamental and primary commonality in every one of these organizations is that they provide a place for the "guys" to talk. And, before the ladies from N.O.W. get upset, there really are exclusively "Men's" clubs within many organizations. Many (or actually most) cigar friendly groups are open to either gender. The trend, nonetheless, is for a comfortable place for the "guys" to meet, talk and share common interests.

The Men's Club aspect of cigar smoking is as fascinating as the mystery of different cigar tobacco & flavors. Travel around the country and you'll find almost every cigar store that has a smoking area also has, to some extent, a group of guys who are considered "The Regulars"! Some cigar stores have smoking groups to varying levels of organization from an informal list of cigar enthusiasts (like the Las Vegas Cigar Posse) to actual "Official Clubs" with monthly or annual Dues, By-Laws and Rules! But, every cigar store worth its salt has a group to some extent.

The underlying commonality in all "Men's Clubs" (formal or informal) is that they provide a time and place to relax. They become an escape for the daily or weekly routine. Cigars are a notorious companion for relaxation, contemplation and conversation. So, what better way to escape and relax than with a fine cigar and friends?

What about the local pub, bar or lounge? Well, yes. That fits the profile too. However, many cigar friendly groups look for an environment where booze, liquor or alcohol is optional and certainly NOT expected. Most cigar enthusiasts believe in the concept: "All things in Moderation" including tobacco and alcohol. The option for a nice Port, Scotch, Rum, Bourbon, Beer or Wine with cigars is not only common but in many places, it's customary.

Most cigar stores are not licensed for food or liquor yet they have a smoking area where their "regulars" are welcome provide their own liquor. You know B.Y.O.B. events! In most states cigar store operators can promote their store and brands with cigar (tasting) events and provide "refreshments" that include food and drink (including alcoholic beverages). Sounds like a "Men's Club" monthly or quarterly event to me!

Special cigar events or "Cigar Tasting" events are common, however, the weekly, informal, understood time and place are common at almost every cigar stores across the country (probably around the world). There is a group in the Raleigh, North Carolina area (who call themselves "The Insane Cigar Posse") that meets every Wednesday evening at their local cigar shop. The shop owner and/or store clerk keep the store open late to accommodate their "regulars" in a "Men's Club" environment where anybody is welcome. In Las Vegas, one local shop is the place to be on Saturday for lunch and a cigar or just after lunch for a cigar with the guys.

One cigar shop right here in the Las Vegas area has a formal club limited to 30 members with monthly dues of $30.00. They meet every Monday night. Each member gets a cigar and the club provides refreshments such as food, appetizers, drinks, Scotch, Port, Beet, Wine, etc. Even though Monday evenings are for "Members" they welcome anyone who wants to attend and find out about their group.

In contrast to the customary practice, another local cigar shop has a membership requirement for any (and all) in-store smoking. If you walk in and purchase cigars, you may not smoke anywhere in their shop. And yes! They will ask you to leave! You must join their cigar club with a one-time initiation fee of $2,500 and pay monthly dues of $250 to smoke in their store. For these fees, you get a private humidified locker and access to the facilities in a private (up stairs) loft. The loft is nicely decorated with comfortable couches & chairs, color television, restroom, refrigerator, supplies, glassware, wet bar, etc. for member use. The host store does not "formally" provide liquor, however, members are allowed to store their own bottle(s).

While at the RTDA (August 2005) we constantly interviewed cigar storeowners from across the United States, Canada, Hawaii and Europe. We wanted to know if they had a cigar smoking area in their shop. (You know, because we sell the Stinky Cigar Ashtray!) They were happy to share details as well as cigar event stories.

Only a rare few had a negative spin on smoking in their shop. One storeowner agreed with the "members only" concept because (in his opinion) most cigar smokers want privacy and don't like strangers. One other storeowner bragged about how he will ask people to leave if they do not buy their cigar from his shop. This brought up another subject. What is proper when smoking in a cigar shop? Should you only smoke cigars purchased in that shop? Does proper etiquette demand you make a purchase to compensate the storeowner?

Cigar shop smoking areas are a gesture of good will. Any cigar storeowner will agree that these smoking areas are not a profit center. However, they will also agree that if they don't provide a place to enjoy a fine cigar, their customers will find someplace else. The welcome attitude of a cigar shop operator and a comfortable smoking environment helps to develop customer loyalty and referrals. When someone finds the local cigar shop is a comfortable place to hang out, take a break, escape or meet friends, they naturally develop a higher level of loyalty. Even if they don't purchase a lot of cigars from the local cigar shop, they can't help but guide others with a need for cigars to the place they frequent.

Many cigar shops across the country have "regulars" who like to take a break during their hectic workday. After a nice lunch or grab lunch-to-go or even skip lunch, they like to hang out (or escape) with a fine cigar at a favorite cigar store. Then, back to work. It's as popular among busy professionals today as it has been since the 1800's.

The most enduring "Men's Club" concept for cigar shops is the unstructured informal environment where all cigar enthusiasts are made to feel welcome. Formalized organizations take a lot of work and have a tendency to cave in on themselves due to infighting over differences of opinions on what and how the club should run. The level of success can be measured many ways. Sales volume is probably the most popular measurement for the cigar shop owner. The average number of visitors per week is a good measurement. And (my favorite) how many cigar butts were left behind every week? The best cigar shop operators will score high in all three areas. Continued visits, repeated visits and extended visits are a powerful sign of customer loyalty.

Understanding this whole "Men's Club" aspect of cigar smoking is another problem with the anti smoking movement. They just don't get it! They have cigar enthusiasts lumped-in with cigarette smokers! Take away "cigar" and see if any of this applies to cigarette smokers or cigarettes! Nope. Just not the same! Unfortunately the "anti smoking police" will continue to wage war and win battles against any and all forms of tobacco smoking. Although "Taking Our Personal Freedoms" is another viewpoint I'd love to share. The existence and popularity of the "Men's Club" aspect for cigar smoking may be the most effective element in preserving our right to enjoy fine cigars.

As you travel around your city, state or around the world, stop in to a local cigar shop. See if you don't recognize (or ask about) the presence of a "Men's Club" type of following. Do they have a Private Club? Do they have regular Cigar Tasting Events? Is there a group of guys who meet often? I've found the answer to one or all of these questions is always yes. And, when time permits, I join them and find they make me feel as welcome as the guys at our favorite local cigar shops.

Do you think my cigar stinks?
Have you ever wondered what your cigar smells like to others who are not smoking or do not smoke cigars? If you said no, maybe you should sign up for some sensitivity training! I've always considered myself and people I smoke cigars with, to be courteous and to some degree, gentlemen. When I'm not smoking, I find cigars really smell different. Try it! Just last week I went to an informal cigar event after frantically running several small errands after work. I wanted to sit down and relax before lighting a cigar. Some of the other guys were already smoking their cigars when I arrived. One of the cigars smelled very strong. like burning tires! For what it's worth, it was a big Trinidad Maduro!!!

I like a strong cigar every now and then. I even like the Trinidad Maduro. If you like strong, full-bodied cigars, keep in mind, they usually have a pungent strong aroma. Nothing spoils the enjoyment of a fine cigar like someone complaining about the smell! Face it! Most people don't like cigar smoke.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." (Who said that?) When you choose a place to light up, keep in mind that the majority of people do not like cigar smoke. Choose wisely! Ask if it's ok to smoke cigars. If it's a new place for you, ask the manager. I also suggest you ask your server what they think of cigar smoke. Their response may very well be a clue to the type of service you'll get! The interesting thing about this question is that most responses are that they either love it or hate it. Not much middle ground on cigar aroma opinions.

Enjoy your cigar moments more with a little insight and planning.

Coming UP:
I'll be sharing my view on a different subject each month. like, Stinky's View on retail cigar shops, mail order catalogs, cigar event planning (Herfs), cigar etiquette, Cigar humidification/storage, cigar magazines, cigar books, various cigar (model) lines and brands. How about some feedback? Heard some interesting cigar trivia? Curious about something? Just ask! Do you have an opinion on something? Share it with us!! Your feedback is what makes all this so much fun!

Enjoy your cigar moments, whether you are with friends, or in the solitude of your own company.

Thanks to friends like you . . . I'm Stinky!