How Much Does It Cost To Start A Cigar Lounge?

[El Presidente]

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Cigar Lounge?'

This has been a topic of discussion of recent times and by chance I came across this article. 

https://theinscribermag.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-cigar-lounge/

Now lounges come in all shapes and sizes but the one pictured in the article is closer to $1 million than it is to $50,000 

$20,0000 in inventory would make that humidor look very, very empty.  Still, it is a start. 

If you throw money at CIgar Lounges, anyone cam make one look like a work of art. 

However, can you find an example of one done on the cheap (relatively) that looks "spot on"? 

[BrightonCorgi]

13 hours ago, El Presidente said:

However, can you find an example of one done on the cheap (relatively) that looks "spot on"? 

Decor is decor and there's no way around the costs incurred regardless of the establishment. 

I may sound naive, but I thought cigar lounges were supposed to be financial losers and they were more to stroke the ego of the owner. 

If you're looking for a "profitable business that sells cigars", a gas station with convenience store would fare better.

[Çnote]

That looks like $75k of furniture alone.

$20k barely buys you in on a single vendor.

@BrightonCorgi yes, they are often not built to be efficiently profitable, but lifestyle options, 2nd business, retirement business, venue filler. 100% right, the 7-11 in my neighborhood sells more sticks in a week than every lounge I've ever seen the book at in a month; more money faster with less invention cost sunk.

[Fuzz]

Get rid of the chairs and tables. Have everything on levels.

[Chibearsv]

1 minute ago, Fuzz said:

Get rid of the chairs and tables. Have everything on levels.

I’ll bet you that you never get that built.

[zappaFREAK]

I see what you did there.

[01Vert]

The bar makes the money in many in the US IMO. The cigars are just part of the style of the club. Our cigars here are cheaper, too. Most sell a stick for 13 that I can get for 5. Makes sense but your not making money with just the cigars. 

[MrBirdman]

They’re essentially bars you can smoke in from a business point of view - your bread and butter will be alcohol sales. I would love to open one as a business but I just can’t convince myself it’s viable, especially as younger people move away from not only tobacco but even alcohol.

[BG318]

You'll make a small fortune, but you'd have to start with a large fortune.

[El Presidente]

8 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

. I would love to open one as a business but I just can’t convince myself it’s viable, especially as younger people move away from not only tobacco but even alcohol.

Consensus is that the average age of the cigar smoker is decreasing....not increasing. You can see it in any Casa De Montecristo Lounge (taking it as an example). Average person inside I would say is in the realm 35-42. 

Hit London lounges and they are maybe a touch older....maybe. Middle East and Asia, younger again. 

Booze is a different thing.  Younger cohorts are certainly drinking less. 

[MrBirdman]

12 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Consensus is that the average age of the cigar smoker is decreasing....not increasing.  You can see it in any Casa De Montecristo Lounge (taking it as an example). Average person inside I would say is in the realm 35-42. 

Hit London lounges and they are maybe a touch older....maybe. Middle East and Asia, younger again. 

Booze is a different thing.  Younger cohorts are certainly drinking less. 

Whether that’s the case in America too I don’t know - there’s always going to be a contingent of cigar smokers, the market is huge here. My bigger concern is tobacco zoning getting worse and young people’s attitudes toward alcohol, since that’s where bars actually make the lion’s share of their money. 

[Chibearsv]

23 minutes ago, MrBirdman said:

Whether that’s the case in America too I don’t know - there’s always going to be a contingent of cigar smokers, the market is huge here. My bigger concern is tobacco zoning getting worse and young people’s attitudes toward alcohol, since that’s where bars actually make the lion’s share of their money. 

I think Illinois or Cook County rules say that at least 75% of the business must be cigar sales or no smoking indoors is allowed. I know it’s a big percentage so the bar business can’t be the money maker.  This is the “no fun allowed” state 😢

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, BG318 said:

You'll make a small fortune, but you'd have to start with a large fortune.

That's the winning formula in motorsports.

[Chibearsv]

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

That's the winning formula in motorsports.

And owning race horses 😁

[PigFish]

They left out bribing (campaign contributions) officials and lawyers to make sure they stay bought.

A friend of mine in high school rode a KZ 900. A potent bike for the day. He never got tickets. Did I happen to mention that he worked at the local doughnut shop?👮🏻‍♀️

[eaglebear29]

3 hours ago, Chibearsv said:

And owning race horses 😁

As well as maintaining a boat. "Boat = Break Out Another Thousand"