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The Essential Guide to Cigar Lounge Layout & Design

Walking through the door of a cigar lounge should be like stepping into another world — a retreat where tobacco enthusiasts can come together to enjoy great cigars and even better conversations.

What’s the secret to creating this unique atmosphere? The right layout and design.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to create the perfect cigar lounge layout, including how to:

Stay compliant with the law and keep customers safe

Create a functional and inviting floor plan

Display your cigar selection to boost sales

Create an environment that encourages customers to stay longer and spend more

Let’s dive in!

Stay Compliant With the Law

When designing your cigar lounge layout, there are two things you can’t be creative about: following regulations and ensuring a safe environment for your customers. 

First, let’s talk about fire safety. 

A fumbled lighter can mean disaster for your customers and your business — which is why you should comply with (or even exceed) your area’s fire safety requirements. Mount fire extinguishers in easily accessible areas, ensure your lounge’s exits are clearly labeled, and consider investing in an overhead sprinkler system.

Excess smoke is another hazard to your customers’ and employees’ health, but investing in the right ventilation equipment can minimize the risk. Smoke eaters mounted in your lounge’s ceiling absorb cigar smoke, and air purifiers finish the job by circulating fresh, clean air. Some states and municipalities specifically regulate ventilation requirements for cigar lounges and smoking rooms, so do your research. 

Finally, let’s cover ADA compliance

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that people with disabilities have access to public spaces. For your business, this most likely means ensuring that someone who uses a wheelchair can enter and have space to relax in your lounge. Review the Access Board’s website for more information.

Pro tip: Selling tobacco products to underage customers is also against federal law, so make age verification technology a part of your cigar lounge’s compliance plan. 

Design Your Floor Plan

When customers walk into your cigar lounge, your floor plan should tell them everything they need to know. It should encourage them to browse your displays, point them to the checkout counter, and guide them to your seating area to relax and enjoy their new smoke. 

In this chapter, we’ll look at the key elements of an excellent cigar lounge floor plan and share tips on how to divvy up your space.

Main Lounge Area

Your cigar lounge should be a space for relaxation and conversation, giving customers a comfortable place to sit back, savor a fine cigar, and enjoy the company of other tobacco enthusiasts. 

The right mix of seating is crucial for creating the perfect cigar lounge experience. Invest in plush yet durable furniture to keep customers comfortable for hours, with a combination of single armchairs for solo smokers and sofas for large groups. Don’t forget to offer side tables with ashtrays!

When arranging your furniture, leave adequate space between chairs and sofas. This will ensure staff and customers can move freely around the room, dampen the sound of conversations between groups, and allow smoke to disperse.

chairs

Cigar Display

Your lounge’s floor plan should act as a silent salesperson, encouraging customers to browse and buy cigars. 

Most importantly, your cigar displays should be visible and accessible from your lounge’s seating area. Make it convenient for customers to settle in, smoke cigar after cigar, and continue spending money. 

Installing shelving along the walls is an excellent way to maximize space, decorate your lounge, and showcase your cigar selection. For premium cigars, consider placing humidors throughout your lounge for easy browsing. A walk-in humidor is a more expensive cigar display option, but it can help you expand your premium offerings and appeal to tobacco connoisseurs. 

Pro tip: Above all, your cigar displays should be well-stocked. Use barcode labels to track and sell individual cigars, design a planogram, and invest in tobacco inventory management software to ensure your customers’ favorites are always in stock. 

display

Checkout Counter or Bar

Your cigar lounge’s floor plan should gently encourage customers to check out once they’ve made their selections. 

If you opt for a traditional checkout counter, make sure it matches the aesthetic of your cigar lounge, has ample space around it for groups to check out, and is powered by an industry-specific cigar lounge point of sale (POS) solution. 

A cigar bar gives customers a unique opportunity to engage with your staff, learn about your cigar offerings, and get personalized recommendations. Your cigar bar should also be equipped with a tobacco POS system and have a balance between bar stools and open space for customers to approach and interact with your employees.

Pro tip: A smooth checkout experience is essential for satisfied customers. Your cigar lounge’s POS system should include quick and easy payment processing, custom cigar barcode label printing, scanner-powered ID verification, and a built-in loyalty program.

Create the Perfect Atmosphere

When customers walk into your cigar lounge, they should feel like they’ve stepped into another world — one that’s relaxing, secluded, and specifically designed for tobacco lovers. 

In this chapter, we’ll explore how to create this immersive environment for your customers through lighting, decor, and entertainment. 

Lighting

First, let’s talk lighting. While your space shouldn’t be too dim, you want to create an environment where customers feel comfortable and relaxed. 

Ensure every seating area in your lounge is adequately lit. Strategically placed lamps and warm white bulbs create a more inviting ambiance than harsh fluorescent overhead lighting. 

Your cigar displays and checkout counter should be more brightly lit to allow easier browsing and checkouts. Consider using LED light strips to shine on each shelf of cigars.

Decor

The right decor can make your lounge unforgettable. Each element — from furniture to picture frames — should work together to create a space unlike any other. 

For example, leather furniture, wooden accents, and vintage tobacco ads create a classic aesthetic that connects customers to the history of cigar smoking. 

Make sure your decor is cohesive, aligns with your cigar lounge’s brand, and creates an immersive luxury experience for your customers. 

Entertainment

While a fine cigar and great conversation are what bring customers to your lounge, you should also offer some kind of entertainment. 

Ideally, your entertainment offerings will align with your lounge’s theme and branding. 

If your lounge has a classic vibe, you might install a sound system, invest in a record player, and collect records for customers to choose from. If your lounge has a more contemporary feel, you might install TVs throughout the space, allowing customers to tune into sporting events or the news. 

Want something more unique? Place decks of cards at each group of seats to encourage customers to play games and chat. 

Start Your Cigar Lounge Build

Ready to turn your dream of launching a cigar lounge into reality? The right layout is just one piece of the puzzle. 

You need a POS solution specifically built for businesses like yours. Cigars POS is an all-in-one POS system designed to help cigar lounge owners create the perfect experience for their customers. 

With our robust software, you can track tobacco inventory, manage a loyalty program, prevent underage tobacco sales, get valuable insights into your customers’ preferences and habits, and more.

See how Cigars POS fits into your cigar lounge business plan by scheduling your personalized demo today. 

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