The global cigar market is expected to grow by 4.16% annually over the next 5 years, which means now is the perfect time to design a cigar lounge that stands out from the crowd and capitalize on the industry’s growing popularity.
The best cigar lounges are warm and inviting — the perfect place for guests to relax, connect, and enjoy premium smokes in style and comfort.
Whether starting from scratch or giving your current lounge a facelift, the goal is to make it feel welcoming, stylish, and effortless to run. Here’s how to design a cigar lounge that leaves a lasting impression and turns curious visitors into faithful regulars.
1. Plan a Layout That Works
When designing your cigar lounge, divide the space into well-defined zones that invite guests to linger and enjoy. Include plush seating areas perfect for lively conversations, a sleek humidor display that instantly catches the eye, and — if space allows — cozy nooks where guests can unwind for a quieter smoke session.
Think about the flow, too. Keep pathways wide enough for guests juggling cigars and drinks — no one wants to awkwardly squeeze past a packed table. Placing the humidor and checkout near each other will encourage impulse buys, and creating a semi-private seating area will allow guests to enjoy the vibe while maintaining a sense of intimacy.
This purposeful layout promotes a natural flow of foot traffic that feels intuitive and welcoming.
2. Curate a Stylish Retail Display
Make your retail space impossible to ignore. A walk-in, cedar-lined humidor with soft, inviting lighting keeps cigars in peak condition and turns your selection into the focal point. Use clear frosted glass-front cabinets to showcase top-shelf cigars, positioning them right at eye level so they’re impossible to miss.
Near the sales counter, stock lighters, cutters, and travel cases are within easy reach for quick impulse buys and add-ons. Tie it all together by matching the display’s finishes — like natural wood grain or brushed metal fixtures — with the lounge’s décor, creating an upscale vibe that elevates your guests’ shopping experience.
3. Implement a Point of Sale (POS) System for Efficiency
Keep your lounge running smoothly with cloud-based point of sale software that works as hard as you do.
Choose a touchscreen POS terminal that blends with your counter’s aesthetic while packing all the essentials — barcode scanners for lightning-fast checkouts, hassle-free inventory tracking, and clear, simple data reports to keep your business on point.
Take the guesswork out of restocking using the built-in inventory management feature to stay on top of your best-selling cigars. Look for a POS system that offers flexible payment options, such as credit cards, debit cards, and tap-to-pay.
Want to keep guests coming back? Sweeten the experience with a customer loyalty program offering exclusive perks, such as special discounts or VIP invites to events and sales.
4. Create a Luxurious Lounge Area
Transform your lounge into the ultimate cigar lover’s paradise. Invest in oversized leather armchairs you can sink into, complete with footrests for peak relaxation, low velvet sofas perfect for cozy conversations, and classic wingback chairs that ooze timeless sophistication.
Add sturdy, cigar-friendly side tables with built-in ashtray slots and spacious wooden tables ideal for shared whiskey flights and long, leisurely evenings.
Play with rich textures — dark, worn leather, distressed wood, and hints of aged metal — for a bold, inviting ambiance. Elevate the atmosphere with a showstopper piece, like a vintage Persian rug or a retro bar cart stocked with top-shelf spirits. When guests settle in with their favorite smoke, they’ll feel like they’ve stepped into pure luxury.
5. Prioritize Comfort With Ventilation and Acoustics
Nobody wants to feel like they’re smoking inside a fog machine or yelling across the room just to chat. Upgrade your lounge with a high-quality air filtration system for cigar spaces — activated carbon HEPA filters and whisper-quiet fans that clear the air without stealing that signature cigar aroma.
Set the mood further with plush, sound-absorbing touches: upholstered walls, thick velvet drapes, and cozy area rugs that hush the noise while dialing up the sophistication. Bonus points for smooth jazz or soft ambient tunes playing in the background. Nail these details, and your lounge will be the spot guests can’t stop talking about.
6. Turn Your Lounge Into an Event Hotspot
Make your cigar lounge the place to be for cigar enthusiasts. Set aside a stylish, flexible space perfect for whiskey tastings, live jazz bands, or hands-on cigar-rolling demonstrations. Crank up the exclusivity with unique rum pairings or invite-only events that draw seasoned connoisseurs and curious newcomers looking for a night to remember.
Want to make the experience even better? Create a VIP members-only section with luxury seating, personal lockers, and access to rare, premium cigars. Design with versatility in mind — movable furniture and moody ambient lighting make it easy to transform the space’s character from a laid-back lounge to an upscale event space in minutes.
7. Install Lighting To Set the Mood
Forget the harsh fluorescent glare — your cigar lounge deserves lighting that radiates pure sophistication. Dimmable wall sconces with antique brass finishes and amber Edison bulbs cast a warm, golden glow that sets the mood just right. Amp up the ambiance with industrial-style floor lamps placed next to leather armchairs — perfect for cigar aficionados wanting to inspect their smokes in just the right light.
For a true showstopper, suspend a vintage wrought-iron chandelier or a retro glass pendant over the main seating area, turning the space into a visual masterpiece. Line your humidor with warm LED strips to make it a focal point, letting those premium cigars steal the spotlight. Control it all with dimmers so you can shift easily from relaxed afternoon hangs to moody, late-night vibes.
Give your lounge the wow factor guests can’t wait to share on social media. Create a bold photo wall — maybe a vintage cigar mural with rich, moody colors or a neon sign that demands attention, like “Smoke, Sip, Repeat.” Throw in a luxe velvet armchair and an eye-catching side table, and you’ve got the perfect spot for Instagram-worthy snaps.
Keep your branding sharp. Etch your logo on whiskey glasses, stamp it on leather coasters, or go all out with custom-embossed cigar cutters. Keep the buzz alive with behind-the-scenes Instagram reels or TikTok clips — time-lapse videos of your humidor being built or the chandelier installation in action. When your space is this visually stunning, it practically markets itself.
Create a Space That Has Everyone Talking
You’ve nailed the design of your cigar lounge — luxurious leather armchairs, warm amber lighting, and a humidor so impressive it practically stops cigar lovers in their tracks. But don’t forget the magic behind the scenes: a rock-solid POS system that keeps your lounge running as smooth as your finest smoke.
Cigars POS takes the stress out of managing your lounge. Track every stick in your humidor (no messy spreadsheets required), speed up checkouts so no guest is left waiting, and launch a loyalty program that has your regulars puffing with pride.
Cigar POS is designed to handle the backend hustle so you can focus on creating unforgettable experiences.
Book a free demo and see how Cigars POS can help everything click into place.
