There is nothing quite like sitting in a real cigar lounge. The smell of stogies past mixed with the swirling whips of those currently alight brings me to a mellow state of mind where I can relax and forget the world outside. Sadly, they are almost extinct in big cities as tobacco laws get more strict and anti-tobacco movements make it harder and harder to keep such a business running. Stanza Dei Sigari is the last bastion for cigar smokers in the great city of Boston and they happen to offer hookah, so I decided to drop in.
This is the first cigar lounge I ever went to and I immediately fell in love. Planted among the restaurants and shops of The North End the parking situation is pretty terrible. But that’s nothing new for those of us who have spent time in Boston. There is a small parking lot a few blocks away and I suggest coughing up the 15 bucks or using public transportation because you’re not going to find street parking. It’s The North End. What else did you expect?
After passing the eye catching sign shape like a giant cigar, which smokes at night, you are met with a staircase to your left that leads down into the actual lounge. Descending these steps you are greeted with numerous pieces of cigar memorabilia and that familiar smell. As you reach the bottom of the stairwell it will take your eyes a second to adjust as the lights are kept low and the decor consists of dark wood and rich leather that seem to eat light. It feels like an old speakeasy and I love it.
A small bar to the right, seating to the left. On this trip I was greeted by a very welcoming woman known affectionately as BB who was more than willing to answer all of my questions. It should be noted that they don’t start serving hookah until the evening when they have a staff member on duty who sets up all the sessions, so I wasn’t actually able to try their hookahs when I showed up at noon. I had tried to call in advance to let them know I was coming and get some information but their number wasn’t working at the time.
Sadly, the manager wasn’t going to come in until the late shift and I didn’t want to be rude by taking photos without getting permission, so we’re flying blind from here on out. But you can take a look at their Facebook page for a glimpse inside.
It’s a cigar bar in Boston so tobacco prices are a bit high but nothing I consider extreme. It’s damn expensive to keep a place like that running and pay all the fees, taxes and the like they get slapped with for catering to tobacco lovers. I couldn’t get a hookah but I could get a cigar and I did just that. Their house blend is a great choice for us cigar smokers who have a budget to work within, so don’t be too quick to pass them over. I decided to get one of their house blend robustos in maduro and found myself very happy with the selection as I checked out the hookah situation.
The hookahs they use are all Sahara Smoke models and seem well maintained with clean bases, which is where I most often see a buildup of grime in lounge rigs. The tobacco is all Hookah-Hookah, which I still love regardless of the haters. I’d love to see some more traditional tobaccos on their menus because if anyone can appreciate black moassel it’s cigar smokers. The coals are quicklight but that’s what I’ve come to expect from most lounges as they are quick and easy when college kids are getting impatient for their hookahs. They use the Blazn infrared charcoal stove, which I’ve never actually seen in person and it does a fine job lighting the coals they need on busy nights.
This is not a traditional hookah lounge and you should not expect a traditional experience. With combinations like Mocha Cream, which consists of a dual head bowl packed with Mocha & Vanilla tobacco and a base full of ice and milk, you shouldn’t be surprised by that. It’s a cigar bar first and a damn fine one at that. Most of their hookah smoking patrons are college kids and a younger crowd, so they cater to those demographics.
Would I suggest Stanza Dei Sigari as a hookah lounge? That depends. Are you looking for a traditional hookah experience? There are other hookah lounges in Boston that will give you that.
Are you looking for a unique and classy joint with something other than the usual Middle Eastern decor, music, food and themes? Then I absolutely suggest Stanza Dei Sigari. I love going here with a variety of friends and this place allows me to hang out in a classy joint with hookah smokers and cigar smokers while enjoying each myself along with a nice drink. It’s welcoming, warm and one of the last oases in a city that’s looking to snub out all tobacco businesses.
If you’re in Boston I suggest stopping in and checking them out. If you order the hookah, let me know how it is. I’ll make sure to actually go when they are serving hookah next time.