lounges

New Rocky Patel Cigar Lounge to Open in Scottsdale

Filed under: Cigars

If you live in Scottsdale, AZ, you're about to have a new place to smoke. Pat Mitchel, owner of 21 Degrees Cigar & Accessories, is expanding his store with a Rocky Patel-sponsored lounge. Smoking bans have made lounges more important than ever to the success of the cigar trade, as customers are running out of places to smoke.

The engagement of sponsors is starting to gather momentum, particularly given tough market conditions in which every brand needs to find every advantage available. Sources say that Cigar Inn, in New York, entertained offers from several manufacturers before finally giving the sponsorship opportunity to magazine Cigar Aficionado.

Mitchell's sponsor, Rocky Patel, is excited to be participating in its first lounge, saying "Scottsdale is a good location, with good clientele."

The store pulls its name from the temperature, 21 degrees Celsius (just off 70 degrees Fahrenheit) at which humidors are kept.

Gallery: Rocky Patel Cigar Lounge, 21 Degrees Cigars

Vault door at the Rocky Patel cigar lounge

Source

Tags: cigar, cigar accessories, cigar aficionado, cigar lounge, CigarAccessories, CigarAficionado, CigarLounge, cigars, humidor, humidors, lounge, lounges, rocky patel, RockyPatel, smoking, smoking ban, smoking bans, SmokingBan, SmokingBans

Narrow Exception in Works for Nebraska Cigar Bars

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

A split Legislature in Nebraska is struggling over whether to exempt cigar bars from a statewide smoking ban. The clock is ticking, as it takes effect on June 1. The measure, Legislative Bill 355, would limit smoking to half a dozen bars across the state – specifically, locations that have installed the appropriate humidors and air-handling equipment.

This is not a proposed repeal of the smoking ban. Instead, it's a small exception that would allow adults to consume a legal product ... and it would prevent several businesses from forced closure. In today's economic environment, common sense would dictate that the government doesn't need to put even more pressure on companies that are struggling to survive.

To qualify under the bill, a bar would have to show the State Liquor Control Commission that at least 15 percent of its revenue comes from the sale of tobacco. Few establishments would qualify, according to State Senator Scott Lautenbaugh. Any that tried to skew the results – e.g., by "selling cigars for $15 with a free steak dinner" – would prompt a movement to change the law.

Again, common sense suffers, as it would be tough for a "cigar bar" to stay open if it was giving away expensive meals.

[Photo by Steve Zak]

Source

Tags: cigar bar, cigar bars, CigarBar, CigarBars, humidor, humidors, lincoln nebraska, LincolnNebraska, lounge, lounges, nebraska, omaha, smoking, smoking ban, smoking bans, smoking laws, SmokingBan, smokingbans, SmokingLaws, tobacco

Best Business Class Lounges in the World

by Sandy Maple (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Those who travel frequently often find themselves in between destinations, killing time in an airport. Whether it is a flight delay or a long layover, that downtime can be anything but pleasant. Huge crowds, long lines, and the general chaos that reigns in an airport is not conducive to working or relaxing. That's where the business-class lounges come in. A respite from the madness, these havens range from the very basic to the very luxurious - and knowing which is where can come in handy when planning your itinerary.

Each year, Skytrax ranks the 10 best business-class lounges in the world based on data that includes customer surveys and business research group interviews. The results are in and in the number one spot is Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse at Heathrow Airport. In addition to a complete office, library, and video projection system, those looking for first class relaxation will find everything they desire. Take a cat nap on a daybed in a hideaway mezzanine, enjoy a meal in one of several dining options or have a drink at the bar. Or use the time to visit the Cowshed Spa, where you can get a facial, massage or even a tan. If all that pampering musses your hair, you can stop by the Bumble and Bumble Hair Salon.

A few North American carriers are beginning to upgrade their lounge offerings, but for now you won't find any of them of Skytrax's top ten list.

Source

Tags: airplane, airport, business, business class lounge, BusinessClassLounge, cowshed spa, CowshedSpa, flight, heathrow airport, HeathrowAirport, lounge, lounges, luxe, luxury, skytrax, spa, top ten lounges, TopTenLounges, travel, virgin atlantic, VirginAtlantic