The chicest cigar bars in London
Home to some of the most extensive collections in the world, and led exclusively by accredited Masters of Havana Cigars, these are the spots for cigar connoisseurs to see and be seen in the capital
Do you prefer a pre-Castro cigar, or would you rather sample something from the undiscovered regions of Taiwan and Serbia? Fancy notes of cocoa or is spice more your thing? Are you pairing that with whisky or cognac? The preferences for cigars, and how to enjoy them, is endless and individual – and that’s why when it comes to smoking, you best do so under the guise of the capital’s best cigar lounges. Helmed by a Master of Havana Cigars – a title only obtained after rigorous examination, and held by just 40 people in the world – these lounges are home to world-class humidors, exclusive storage lockers and, ultimately, state-of-the-art smoking surroundings. Step inside the best cigar bars in London below.
The Cigar Merchants at The Emory, Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge’s latest luxury hotel, The Emory, launched the Cigar Merchants rooftop earlier this year, designed as a sanctuary for aficionados to sample the world’s finest cigars while enjoying 10th floor panoramas of London’s skyline. Home to a fine collection of cigars – curated by Blue Curran, a Master of Havana Cigars and most recently awarded the 2024 Sommelier of the Year at the Boisdale Annual Cigar Awards – interiors have been designed by Rémi Tessier to incorporate a circular light fixture containing a state-of-the-art Airkel concealed extraction system. This air filtration system is one of only three in London and is integrated into the floor and ceiling to control airflow and pressure, keeping the air fresh and without lingering smoke.
The Emory Cigar Merchants collection is predominantly Cuban, varying from current production stock to limited and regional editions, special releases, Gran Reservas and pre-Castro cigars. There are many highlights – the humidor stocks the majority of the 27 Cuban cigar brands, and the team can also source ‘rare boxes’ upon request – but some include a full set of the Millennium Reserve Jars released in 1999, and rare regional editions made for Taiwan, Serbia, Lebanon, and Germany. Pair with a cocktail from the neighbouring Emory Rooftop Bar, which also serves Van Winkle Bourbons and Rye.
Visit the-emory.co.uk
Cigar lounge at Sparrow Italia, Mayfair
Images: Sparrow Italia
Located on the third floor of Mayfair restaurant Sparrow Italia, this elegant cigar lounge is led by one of the capital’s only female masters, Syafiera Rosidi. Interiors feature a moody palette of navy blues and dark woods, while the collection takes its cues from the Cuban variety, stocking mainly Cohiba cigars and Hoyo de Monterrey Habana cigars. The latter began as a private brand for Fidel Castro and his high-level officials and only became publicly available in 1982, renowned for its earthy notes of white pepper and cocoa. Hoyo de Monterrey, meanwhile, was established in 1865 in the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba, famous for its ideal tobacco-growing conditions resulting in a complex blend of cedar, cocoa, and subtle spices. Pair with Dalmore whisky and Chateau Mouton Rothschild wines, or an expertly-made Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
Visit sparrowitalia.com
The Garden Room at The Lanesborough, Knightsbridge
Images: The Lanesborough
Dubbed The Lanesborough’s best-kept secret, the Garden Room is a discreet, year-round terrace away from the hustle and bustle of Hyde Park Corner – and happens to double as one of the capital’s coolest cigar bars. Alongside an impressive selection of Cuban and pre-Castro cigars housed in the walk-in humidor, the team also pairs your smoke with a serve, ranging from fine wines and champagnes to an exclusive tipple from The Lanesborough Paradis: a collection of the world’s rarest and finest cognacs and armagnacs, some dating back to the 18th century.
For those looking for an educational experience, book the Garden Room’s monthly masterclasses, where guests are invited to discover a different cigar accompanied by a drink pairing. The one-hour class includes an introduction to Cuban cigars, with particular focus on the origin and history of the cigar, before smoking in good company and enjoying a Q&A with the in-house sommelier to develop your palette and knowledge.
Visit oetkercollection.com
Brooklands at The Peninsula, Belgravia
The Peninsula’s rooftop restaurant, Brooklands, not only serves modern British cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Claude Bosi, but is home to a tasting lounge and cigar storage helmed by Manu Harit, another certified Master of Havana Cigars. Perfect for an after-dinner cigar or an afternoon catch-up with friends, Harit and his team take time to understand personal preferences and offer considered cigar recommendations – not only from Cuba, but from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica as well. The Tabac – adorned in mahogany, brass, and cedar – is inspired by the famous racing car designs of Hispano Suiza, while its humidor displays a collection of more than 2,000 cigars. Need some personal storage? The hotel also houses the largest public cigar locker room in the world, with 280 lockers hidden underground, humidity- and temperature-controlled to exacting standards.
Visit thepeninsula.com
The Connaught Cigar Merchants, Mayfair
Tucked away in the heart of the hotel, The Connaught Cigar Merchants is reserved for those in the know. Paying homage to the rare and the refined, the lounge is led by head of cigars, Adam Lajca, who has curated a collection of limited and regional releases including the Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva, one of the finest on the market, and Montecristo Sublimes: a sought-after, velvety-smooth smoke.
The space has been designed by Bryan O’Sullivan, decked out in dark wood and leather chairs accompanied by floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the outside in. Cigars are thoughtfully paired with hand-picked spirits, from the vintage Karuizawa 1972 to the specially created Connaught Scotch: a limited-edition, 42-year-old whisky that was handpicked for the bar’s opening in 2023.
Visit the-connaught.co.uk
Boisdale, Canary Wharf and Belgravia
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more Scottish experience in the capital than at Boisdale. With outposts in Belgravia (opened in 1989) and Canary Wharf, the restaurant is renowned for its Scottish cuisine, whisky, and live jazz performances (Jools Holland has served as Boisdale’s Patron of Music for more than a decade). However, it also takes cigars extremely seriously, namely the Cuban type, and also hosts the annual Cigar Smoker of the Year Awards, so trust you’ll only be served the best of the best here. The Belgravia outpost is home to an extensive Negroni and Cigar Terrace, located above The Macdonald Bar, clad in Boisdale's trademark tartan and furnished with sofas, armchairs, cushions and rugs with enough room for 40 people.
Visit boisdale.co.uk
The Cigar Shop at The Ritz, Piccadilly
Images: The Ritz
Celebrating the five-star hotel’s starry guestbook – featuring the likes of Sir Winston Churchill and actors Charlie Chaplin and Sir Roger Moore – The Ritz Cigar Shop is inspired by all who share a passion for the finest cigars. Inviting guests to sample a wide range of limited-edition and premium varieties, including Ritz London Cigars’ range of 12 sizes, sit back and relax in the lounge’s plush leather chairs among Art Deco-inspired decor.
For those looking to push the boat out, the Cigar Shop team can help curate the ultimate tasting experience, including a guided tour of the hand-crafted walk-in humidor and a demonstration of the cigar accessories available, including cutters, lighters, and ashtrays. There are private lockers within the humidor where guests can stock their own selection, but bear in mind that a dress code of smart-casual applies (no sportswear allowed). This is The Ritz after all.
Visit theritzlondon.com
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