Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties

03-03-2010, 06:44 PM

Hello all,

I recently had a bit of an entrepreneurial epiphany today that combines a hobby I am passionate about with my major in school. I would like to cater cigars at parties and events. Just like people have martini bars for hire at social events, I thought it would be pretty cool to start a cigar bar in the same niche. I realize I need to obtain a license for the retail of tobacco in bulk which I am already on top of. I live in Canada and definitely have the right demographic around me.

So I turn to you fellow smokers and retailers. I am a youngin in the cigar world and though I have sufficient knowledge of cigars and the way the industry works, I was hoping some of you more experienced could help me out and share some information. It would be much appreciated.

Happy Smokin' EH?

Ferrari5180 · 03-03-2010, 06:57 PM

Good luck with your endeavors fellow Canadian.

MortonMilo · 03-03-2010, 07:09 PM

Genius idea, wish there was a cigar catering company around my area!

GWN · 03-03-2010, 07:15 PM

Depending which province you live in, you may be limited to outdoor affairs. I'd say golf tournaments may be a niche you may consider exploring.

shilala · 03-03-2010, 07:18 PM

Congratulations on your new venture, Ryan!!!
What kind of information would you like the guys to share?
I immediately thought "In God we Trust, all others pay cash", but I didn't know if that's the sort of thing you're after.

03-03-2010, 07:20 PM

In Florida and especially Tampa and Miami you can hire a gentleman of cuban decent to handroll cigars for guests at parties. It is very entertaining for guests.

Kreth · 03-03-2010, 07:20 PM

Seems like you'd run afoul of indoor smoking bans. Do the Canadian laws allow for temporary smoking licenses?
Posted via Mobile Device

Bax · 03-03-2010, 07:45 PM

I've had a couple friends include a cigar roller at thier wedding. Might be another venue to check out. They may not let you smoke them right there, but it's a cool take home gift IMHO!

G G · 03-03-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

"In God we Trust, all others pay cash"

Scott is smart.

03-04-2010, 06:45 PM

Thanks for the comments so far guys. I'm taking all this into account. I'm really liking the golf tournament idea. I'm thinking that could generate a lot of good business. I have looked into laws and such today and I would have to be outdoors unless it is residential. But that's ok, we're Canadian, we always deal with the cold. Keep the ideas coming fellas. They are all appreciated.

captain53 · 03-04-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggainey

Scott is smart.

Yep that is good advice.

I don't know too much about Canadian Weddings but I have been to a couple of mega $ weddings that had cigar bars/rollers and they were a big hit.

maninblack · 03-04-2010, 07:33 PM

This would be a dream job if not for those damn smoking bans.

Razorhog · 03-04-2010, 07:41 PM

Wow, what a brave idea. I think the live rolling would be a big hit at parties. You'd always want to consider your audience and choose price points to match. Also, it would be awesome to coordinate with the catering/beverage service company to make up a menu of which cigars pair up with certain food and drinks. A lot of people that buy cigars at events do it on a whim, and they might end up buying a cigar that is out of their league. My suggestion would be to arrange the cigars in sections according to strength. Each section might then be sorted according to price.

03-03-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
Northern Lights Guest Posts: n/a	Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Hello all, I recently had a bit of an entrepreneurial epiphany today that combines a hobby I am passionate about with my major in school. I would like to cater cigars at parties and events. Just like people have martini bars for hire at social events, I thought it would be pretty cool to start a cigar bar in the same niche. I realize I need to obtain a license for the retail of tobacco in bulk which I am already on top of. I live in Canada and definitely have the right demographic around me. So I turn to you fellow smokers and retailers. I am a youngin in the cigar world and though I have sufficient knowledge of cigars and the way the industry works, I was hoping some of you more experienced could help me out and share some information. It would be much appreciated. Happy Smokin' EH?

03-03-2010, 06:57 PM	#2
Ferrari5180 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 433 Trading: (0)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Good luck with your endeavors fellow Canadian.

03-03-2010, 07:09 PM	#3
MortonMilo Blowing smoke Join Date: Feb 2010 First Name: R Posts: 215 Trading: (10)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Genius idea, wish there was a cigar catering company around my area!

03-03-2010, 07:15 PM	#4
GWN Snow City Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 898 Trading: (10)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Depending which province you live in, you may be limited to outdoor affairs. I'd say golf tournaments may be a niche you may consider exploring. __________________

03-03-2010, 07:18 PM	#5
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Congratulations on your new venture, Ryan!!! What kind of information would you like the guys to share? I immediately thought "In God we Trust, all others pay cash", but I didn't know if that's the sort of thing you're after. __________________

03-03-2010, 07:20 PM	#6
Eagle53 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties In Florida and especially Tampa and Miami you can hire a gentleman of cuban decent to handroll cigars for guests at parties. It is very entertaining for guests.

03-03-2010, 07:20 PM	#7
Kreth Ronin smoker Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Oneonta, NY Posts: 3,620 Trading: (14)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Seems like you'd run afoul of indoor smoking bans. Do the Canadian laws allow for temporary smoking licenses? Posted via Mobile Device

03-03-2010, 07:45 PM	#8
Bax C A P S...CAPS CAPS CAPS! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Ringgold,GA Posts: 2,173 Trading: (70)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties I've had a couple friends include a cigar roller at thier wedding. Might be another venue to check out. They may not let you smoke them right there, but it's a cool take home gift IMHO! __________________ I'm the most interesting man in the world... but only if you find stupid stuff really interesting.

03-04-2010, 06:45 PM	#10
Northern Lights Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Thanks for the comments so far guys. I'm taking all this into account. I'm really liking the golf tournament idea. I'm thinking that could generate a lot of good business. I have looked into laws and such today and I would have to be outdoors unless it is residential. But that's ok, we're Canadian, we always deal with the cold. Keep the ideas coming fellas. They are all appreciated.

03-04-2010, 07:33 PM	#12
maninblack Will smoke for food Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Kevin Location: Where the hoot owls f$ck the chickens Posts: 10,637 Trading: (80)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties This would be a dream job if not for those damn smoking bans. __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

03-04-2010, 07:41 PM	#13
Razorhog Feeling at Home Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Beau Location: NE Arkansas Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: Tips On Running a Cigar Bar For Parties Wow, what a brave idea. I think the live rolling would be a big hit at parties. You'd always want to consider your audience and choose price points to match. Also, it would be awesome to coordinate with the catering/beverage service company to make up a menu of which cigars pair up with certain food and drinks. A lot of people that buy cigars at events do it on a whim, and they might end up buying a cigar that is out of their league. My suggestion would be to arrange the cigars in sections according to strength. Each section might then be sorted according to price.