SMOKE SIGNALS
NEW ‘PREMIER’ CIGAR CLUB OPENS IN DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA
A new cigar club in town aims to be the meeting place not just for cigar-smoking connoisseurs but also for locals looking to become enthusiasts.
Billed as Chattanooga’s “premier cigar lounge,” the Chattanooga Cigar Club opened last month and includes craft cocktails, a small selection of hand-rolled cigars ranging from around $10 to $100 and a menu of small bites and entrees. Curtis Greene, part-owner of the new lounge and bar, said he wanted to open a spot down- town after traveling to differ- ent cities and seeing the suc- cess and community around cigar clubs in places such as Nashville and Atlanta.
“I wanted to offer nice, soft music in a nice atmosphere with good food and conversation,” he said. The owners are listed as Stream- line Partners LLC and the new club has five employees.
Located at 1518 Market St., a block away from the Chattanooga Choo Choo, large leather couches, exposed brick walls and contemporary jazz music greet customers when they walk in the door of the 1,300-square-foot store. The cigar club’s menu includes cocktails ranging from $8-$10, beer and wine, appetizers from $8-$17 and entrees around $15. The menu also includes a selec- tion of sides and bourbon bread pudding for dessert.
Cigar Man and Burns Tobacconist are two other cigar shops also located in downtown Chattanooga.
On a recent Thursday eve- ning, the club served as a good social gathering spot for a group of area business owners and retirees. There are happy hour specials every day from 4 to 7 p.m., and Greene said bar- tenders are encouraged to create their own, unique drinks.
Greene said he expects the lounge’s cigar selec- tion to increase soon with a cabinet humidor, but he first wants to see what the neighborhood is interested in smoking. There will be a monthly membership available for $100 that will include a free cigar, access to private events and a percentage off transactions.
While the club’s grand opening will be some time in May, the business is currently open from 4 to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The club is closed on Sunday.
For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page.