I've seen numerous posts with this question before, but they all say "contact me directly". I don't want to do that to anyone without an invitation, so here it goes...

A friend of mine is opening a pub-style bar/restarautn. He also is considering opening a cigar/smoking lounge next door (where he can hopefully make double-use of his liquor license).

He knows NOTHING about cigars, he just thinks it might be a good way to draw in an even bigger crowd and create a new revenue stream. I have therefore become his defacto consultant on all things cigar-related :-)

Does anyone have experience in doing this sort of thing? We're in Kalifornia so I'm not even sure if a smoking lounge is possible. Any help with estimates on start-up costs, the process, hints, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated.

He needs an attorney NOW!!! While it is possible, the process is tough and complicated. Is it going to be located in Bakersfield?

Yup, the lovely California equivalent of Gary, IN.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave the Cigar Man:
Yup, the lovely California equivalent of Gary, IN.

LOL

Just did a little research on the legality of it all (the joy of Google!). Not sure if the CA laws have been updated, but here it goes...

LABOR CODE SECTION 6404.5 Smoking in Places of Employment Prohibited - Exceptions (as of 10/97)

For purposes of this section, "place of employment" does not include any of the following:

...

(4)Retail or wholesale tobacco shops and private smokers lounges. For purposes of this paragraph:

(A)"Private smokers lounge" means any enclosed area in or attached to a retail or wholesale tobacco shop that is dedicated to the use of tobacco products, including, but not limited to, cigars and pipes.

(B)Retail or wholesale tobacco shop" means any business establishment the main purpose of which is the sale of tobacco products, including, but not limited to, cigars, pipe tobacco, and smoking accessories.

....

I'm certainly no lawer, but that seems pretty straight forward.

Which is precisely why you need a lawyer! A cigar lounge that serves liquor probably won't qualify. A private club usually will; however, you will need a lawyer to help you jump through the right hoops. A little money now can save you a lot of money later. We make much more fixing our client's mistakes than we do helping them get things right in the first place.

I've been to cigar bars in San Diego and San Franscisco that found legal ways to allow alchol and smoking (one was owner-operated and the other made most of its money from tobacco sales), but the state makes it difficult. One place I visited said they went to court over it.

I wish you all the luck in the world.California is probably the hardest state to do it in.Hire a good attorney and be prepared to fight good luck.On a lighter note you know what the difference between a Lawyer and an Attorney is?With an Attorney the bill is bigger!

He needs an attorney. After researching into this matter for my own cigar lounge and bar, I can say that the law does become complicated.

There are laws and stipulations for businesses set down by National Law, State Law, County Law and City Law. Each should be researched individually, and adhered to stringently. I can guarantee that you will find the most prohibitive of the laws in the City, and from there the state.

In the area I would have liked to build my shop, the city forbids the use of any alcohol ("sold or consumed") on premises. They also stipulate that the shop can not be X feet (I think X=100) close to residential or school zones.

Anyway, have him call the city planner to find the laws. They are ususlly @$$holes, but you can eventually get what you need.

Bear

PS- All hope may not be lost. There are several places I know of that don't allow smoking in public but allow cigar bars.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave the Cigar Man:
He knows NOTHING about cigars, he just thinks it might be a good way to draw in an even bigger crowd and create a new revenue stream.

Does he even smoke cigars?

You may want to contact another cigar lounge in Ca to see how they are doing it. I know my local place allows smoking and you can bring in a bottle. Now that could just be because of the location and small town suburb here outside of the big city but might be worht looking into. The B&M is Tobacco Republic, Loomis Ca. I won't post the info because I don't know all the "rules" of this board but you can google it they have a website

Sombody just posted a new cigar bar they opened in C.A.
Heres the link http://forums.cigaraficionado.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9426054/m/756108284

That place looks nice

Hey Stogie,
Sounds like we might be neighbors…I reside in Rancho Cordova, Where about are you?
QUOTE]Originally posted by Stogie Mcgee:
You may want to contact another cigar lounge in Ca to see how they are doing it. I know my local place allows smoking and you can bring in a bottle. Now that could just be because of the location and small town suburb here outside of the big city but might be worht looking into. The B&M is Tobacco Republic, Loomis Ca. I won't post the info because I don't know all the "rules" of this board but you can google it they have a website[/QUOTE]

Hey all, thanks for the feedback. I've been sick for a couple of days and haven't even had the energy to sit at my computer and read posts (definately no smoking :-( ).

I'll follow some of those links, do some more research, and make the recommendations.

quote:

Originally posted by rich916:
Hey Stogie,
Sounds like we might be neighbors…I reside in Rancho Cordova, Where about are you?

You're up by Sacramento, right? That's still 2 or 3 hours away I believe. I'm about 1.5 to 2 hours north of LA.

quote:

Originally posted by csmithnj:

Does he even smoke cigars?

No he does not, that's why I'm helping him out. He's completely clueless.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave the Cigar Man:

quote:

Originally posted by csmithnj:

Does he even smoke cigars?

No he does not, that's why I'm helping him out. He's completely clueless.

Then unless you're going to run the business for him, he should stay away.

quote:

Then unless you're going to run the business for him, he should stay away.

I second that.

not to hijack but I too am in Bakersfield and we need something besides the cicar bar on 19th. I hope he gets it done!!!! When is he opening and what part of town?

quote:

Originally posted by Dave the Cigar Man:
I've seen numerous posts with this question before, but they all say "contact me directly". I don't want to do that to anyone without an invitation, so here it goes...

A friend of mine is opening a pub-style bar/restarautn. He also is considering opening a cigar/smoking lounge next door (where he can hopefully make double-use of his liquor license).

He knows NOTHING about cigars, he just thinks it might be a good way to draw in an even bigger crowd and create a new revenue stream. I have therefore become his defacto consultant on all things cigar-related :-)

Does anyone have experience in doing this sort of thing? We're in Kalifornia so I'm not even sure if a smoking lounge is possible. Any help with estimates on start-up costs, the process, hints, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated.