My husband doesn’t have a lot of hobbies, but one he’s picked up in the past couple of years is smoking cigars. Finding somewhere to relax and smoke a cigar in London can be difficult, as most public places now only allow smoking outdoors. We made a bit of an adventure of it, though, and in the process, developed a list of the best cigar bars in London.
Smoking in public places like bars and restaurants was banned in Scotland in 2006 and the rest of the United Kingdom in 2007. However, an exception to the smoking ban allows a specialist tobacconist to provide an indoor tasting room, which led to the rise of cigar bars and lounges.
I don’t smoke cigars, but I’m happy to join my husband, so while we were visiting London, we decided to check out some of London’s cigar lounges. These luxurious lounges are an ideal spot to smoke a cigar, whether you’re a cigar aficionado in search of the finest cigars or just enjoy an occasional cigar.
Here’s my pick of the top cigar lounges in London plus a few we’d like to visit next time we’re in the U.K.
What Is A Cigar Lounge?
Since the ban on smoking in public places, several of London’s top hotels have introduced a cigar lounge or bar. This is a relaxed space which allows hotel guests and other cigar connoisseurs to enjoy a cigar with a drink or light snack.
They often have luxurious decor and an ambiance similar to a private gentlemen’s club, although women are also welcome. Some lounges also have an outdoor terrace open year-round for smoking, which may have heaters and blankets for colder weather.
Cigar lounges often have a walk-in humidor that maintains the fine cigars in perfect condition. They’ll also offer the services of a cigar sommelier who can assist with the cutting and lighting of cigars, help a cigar novice choose their cigar, or advise a cigar enthusiast in search of truly exceptional vintage cigars.
Some cigar bars in London may allow you to bring in your own cigars to smoke, but others insist you only smoke cigars you’ve purchased from them. Dress codes also vary, so it’s always best to check the rules before you visit.
The Connaught Cigar Merchants
The Connaught Cigar Merchants at the Connaught Hotel was our favorite cigar bar in London. This small bar probably only holds 10 people, but it’s a beautiful setting with absolutely stunning decor. The room has an intricately carved oak ceiling, wood paneling on the walls, and wood floors that create an old-fashioned library vibe.
My husband was impressed by the selection of cigars, which he said was the best he saw in London. The Connaught Cigar Merchants offers many of the top cigar brands along with a range of rare Havana cigars, including Cuban cigars rolled for Fidel Castro himself.
The Connaught’s hand-crafted built-in humidor takes up one whole wall of the lounge. It maintains the condition of each cigar perfectly by storing the cigars at the correct temperature and humidity. It’s also very decorative and seeing all the different cigar options in there adds to the bar’s ambiance.
The sommeliers at the Connaught are extremely knowledgeable and even able to talk about the tobacco farms where the cigars are made. They’re also super friendly, so my husband had a great experience talking to the sommeliers and learning more about the cigars.
Another great feature at the Connaught’s cigar lounge is the state of the art air purification system. This pushes air up through tiny holes in the wood floor, carrying the cigar smoke directly into the air and away from your clothes. We were really impressed by this because it meant our clothes didn’t smell of smoke at all. However, it makes the air feel pretty cool, a little like being in a wine cellar.
Because the cigar room at the Connaught is so small, you can’t eat food there, but you can order drinks from the hotel’s bar. You can also order snacks to enjoy at the bar while you wait for a space to open up in the cigar lounge. There’s officially a no-reservation policy for the lounge, but I get the impression that they might make informal reservations for repeat visitors.
The Connaught Cigar Merchants is open from 11am-1am daily and has a smart casual dress code. It was definitely our favorite cigar lounge in London and a great place for cigar enthusiasts to visit.
Edward Sahakian Cigar Lounge At The Bulgari Hotel
We were really excited to visit the Edward Sahakian Cigar Lounge at the Bulgari Hotel. All the lists I read while researching our trip named it as the best cigar bar in London. The cigar shop and sampling lounge is run by Edward Sahakian, a world-renowned cigar merchant and owner of the Davidoff cigar shop, and his son Eddie Sahakian.
This cigar lounge is also unusual because the Sahakians sell their own cigars alongside major brands and a carefully curated selection of vintage cigars. This selection includes some from Edward Sahakian’s own personal collection.
This cigar lounge is much larger than the others we visited in London, and there’s easily enough room for 25 people here. The vibe here is more relaxed and loungey compared to the bars at the Connaught and the Ritz, with oversized comfy seating and sofas instead of the more formal seating at the other hotels. You can order food and drink from the bar menu while you enjoy a cigar in the lounge, which leads right off from the bar.
The walk-in humidor at the Bulgari wasn’t as extensive as the collection at the Connaught, and the lounge wasn’t as well-ventilated. They definitely had an air purification system because the smell of the smoke didn’t seep into the bar area. However, my clothes came out smelling of smoke, so I don’t think it worked as well as the ventilation system in the Connaught cigar room.
The sommelier at the Bulgari was friendly and approachable, but didn’t seem as knowledgeable as the Connaught’s sommeliers. Overall, we had a good experience at the Bulgari Hotel London, but I don’t think it was as good as the Connaught. I’m not sure why it tops so many lists of London cigar lounges.
The cigar lounge at the Bulgari Hotel, London, is open from early evening, Tuesday to Sunday. The dress code is smart casual.
Ritz London Cigars At The Ritz
We tried to visit the cigar bar at the Ritz twice during our time in London. On our first attempt, the bar had already closed for the day, as the cigar shop and sampling lounge are only open until 8pm. This is earlier than many other London cigar lounges, which tend to stay open late into the evening.
The second time we went, we were very politely turned away as my husband was wearing sneakers. They were clean, high-end sneakers and were acceptable for the other hotel cigar lounges we visited. However, the Ritz is one of London’s best hotels and has a long-established reputation for elegance, so I guess their dress code is a bit stricter.
They were very nice about it, didn’t make my husband feel bad, and allowed us to look around the humidor and see the cigar selection. But they made it very clear that we were not going to be allowed to stay and smoke a cigar.
So, I recommend checking ahead to see if there’s a dress code at the cigar lounge you plan to visit. Smart jeans with dress shoes should be OK at most venues, but I’d avoid wearing a T-shirt with them.
It’s a shame we didn’t get to stay because the cigar lounge has a very cool, Art Deco vibe with luxurious furnishings and plush leather seats. The walls also feature signed photos of some of the hotel’s iconic guests such as British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and the actor Sir Roger Moore. You can order drinks from the bar to enjoy with your cigar, but there are no food options in the cigar bar.
From our brief chat with the cigar sommeliers, I’d say that their level of professionalism and knowledge was also excellent. So, this really was the one that got away, and we’d definitely consider trying again next time we’re in London.
The cigar lounge at the Ritz is open from 11am until 8pm daily. The dress code is strictly smart casual, and sneakers, shorts, and sportswear are not permitted.
Cigars At No. 10
Cigars At No. 10 is a luxurious cigar lounge within the boutique No. Ten Manchester Street Hotel in Marylebone, London. It’s known as one of the finest cigar venues in London.
They have a wide selection of cigars chosen to appeal to both cigar novices and experienced cigar lovers. The range includes high-quality cigars such as the Romeo y Julieta Short Churchill and Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos, along with hand-rolled Havana cigars, which are carefully stored in a bespoke De Art humidor
The hotel’s Cigar Shop also has an indoor sampling room where you can try out the cigars before making your choice. Once you’ve bought your cigar, you can smoke it in the elegant cigar lounge or outside on the all-weather cigar terrace. This is also one of the only London cigar bars where you can bring your own cigars to smoke, as long as you meet their minimum spend of £25 per person.
Cigars at No. 10 is open from 10am daily, and the dress code is smart casual.
The Wellesley Knightsbridge
The Wellesley Hotel is a luxury London hotel at the top of Brompton Road in Knightsbridge. It has Europe’s largest walk-in humidor and an extensive selection of cigars worth nearly $2 million!
The main lounge has an old-school ambiance, luxurious decor, and fantastic artwork. There’s a map of Cuba engraved into the humidor’s floor, and pictures made from tobacco leaves feature famous cigar lovers, including Winston Churchill.
You can enjoy a cigar from an impressive selection of brands like Montecristo and Cohiba in the lounge or outside on the heated Cigar Terrace. The expert team can help you choose your cigar and advise on pairing it with spirits from the bar.
The cigar bar is open from 8am daily, and the dress code here is smart casual.
The Garden Room At The Lanesborough Hotel
The Garden Room at the Lanesborough Hotel on Hyde Park Corner is one of the top cigar lounges in London. As the name suggests, it’s a covered terrace with heaters, blankets, and a fireplace to keep cigar enthusiasts warm when the weather turns cold.
The Garden Room offers a wide selection of Cuban cigars, including pre-Castro cigars, all carefully stored in the hotel’s celebrated walk-in humidor. You can pair your cigar with spirits, fine wines, or cocktails, and a light menu is available until late. There are also monthly cigar masterclasses hosted by the lounge’s expert cigar sommeliers.
This cigar lounge is open daily from early evening until midnight or later. The dress code is smart casual, and men must wear full-length trousers.
Bonus Tip: Davidoff Of London
If you’re a cigar enthusiast, it’s also worth checking out the famous Davidoff Of London cigar shop while you’re in London. It’s owned by Edward Sahakian, whose name also appears on the cigar lounge at the Bulgari Hotel.
You can’t smoke in the shop, but they stock a huge range of cigars stored in the biggest walk-in humidor we saw in London. They also sell other cigar accessories like cutters, lighters, and personal humidors.
You could buy a single cigar or a box of cigars here and take it to one of the cigar lounges that allow you to bring your own cigars. My husband was very impressed by the selection of cigars and the standard of service from the knowledgeable staff.
We didn’t buy any cigars here because we were worried about issues with Customs back in the United States. But our experience at the Davidoff shop was very positive, and I’d recommend it to any cigar lover.
FAQs
Are Cigar Lounges Legal In The U.K.?
Although smoking in public places is banned in the U.K., you may be able to smoke indoors in specific lounges or bars. If you’re unsure, always check before you light up your cigar.
Can You Smoke A Cigarette In A Cigar Lounge?
Some cigar clubs might allow you to smoke cigarettes, but classic cigar lounges only allow cigar smoking.
Can You Smoke Cuban Cigars In The U.K.?
There’s no ban on Cuban cigars in the United Kingdom, so you can legally smoke Cuban cigars in London cigar lounges. However, the U.S. imposed a ban on Cuban cigars in 1962, so don’t take back any of these cigars to the United States.
Is It Worth Visiting Cigar Lounges In London?
Whether you’re a serious cigar aficionado in search of the finest hand-rolled Havanas or a complete cigar novice, London’s cigar lounges are well worth checking out.
They offer some of the best cigars in the world which you can enjoy in luxurious surroundings, paired with a fine wine or spirit. Having an expert cigar sommelier on hand to help you make your choice from the cigar selection also adds to the overall experience.
My husband and I both enjoyed the Connaught Hotel cigar bar most. The beautiful surroundings, well-stocked humidor, and friendly expert staff combined to give us a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend to any cigar fan.
