A Cigar Smoker Invades Rick's Cabaret ... and Brings Davidoff Surprise

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed)
Jun 20th 2010 at 2:02PM

Last week, cigar smokers took over the roof of upscale gentlemen's club Rick's Cabaret in Manhattan. With a view of the Empire State Building, not to mention the impeccable local talent, dozens came to cut, light puff and imbibe.

The event, organized by Barry Stein the man behind the cigar blog "A Cigar Smoker," attracted a large and varied group of cigar smokers, making the Rick's roof feel like your local cigar shop (though with the obvious differences). As hors d'oeuvres were passed and drinks sipped, on-the-spot back rubs were delivered expertly by roving masseuses, and cigars were abundant. Conversation flowed freely and easily, especially with my new blogging buddy the Social Vixen.

Gallery: A Cigar Smoker Event at Rick's Cabaret

The big surprise of the evening was the chance to try a prototype of what will become a new house cigar at Davidoff Madison Avenue. Rolled by Pepin and Jaime Garcia, the cigar sports a beautiful wrapper (very oily) and has more complexity than you'd normally expect from a Pepin product. The final blend has yet to be decided, but Michael Herklots, the store's general manager, tells me he has a unique plan for making the final decision. This is about the only thing that remained under wraps at this event ... which is hardly unexpected given the venue!

It isn't as if you need an excuse to enjoy the camaraderie of a cigar event or the decadence of a night at Rick's ... sometimes, though, A Cigar Smoker gives you one.

[photo and gallery by Steve Zak, video via Cigar Reader]

Disclosure: The event was open to the public and free. I did receive two sparkling waters and a vodka along with one of those backrubs from Rick's Cabaret. Barry of A Cigar Smoker gave me a cigar (which he did for a lot of people), as did Michael Herklots of Davidoff Madison Avenue and Davidoff Columbus Circle. I was invited to cover the event for Cigar Reader.

Tags: cigar, cigar lounge, cigars, CigarShop, davidoff, DavidoffMadison