The wedding pre-party industry is booming. These days, the bachelor and bachelorette parties can be more lavish than the wedding. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a simple night out with your wedding party, don’t leave the cigars at home.
Cigar Tips for the Bachelor or Bachelorette Party
So you’re the best man and in charge of the entertainment and festivities. Fine dining and fine spirits have long been staples of bachelor and bachelorette parties, so adding fine cigars fits seamlessly into any plan. Even the inexperienced cigar smoker will feel like indulging during a bachelor party.
Experienced smokers may bring their own cigars, but providing smokes for the party usually falls on the groom or the best man. There are several options when buying cigars for a group. A box of cigars will keep the party smoking all evening, but one kind of cigar will limit the aficionados. Buying a mix of different blends at various price points is your best bet. When shopping for cigars for the big night, there’s no need to break the bank. There’s nothing worse than splurging on Davidoffs only to watch a beginner toss it down after a few puffs. Plan for some newbies in the group by buying reasonably priced milder cigars. Save the top-shelf sticks for yourself and the group’s aficionados. The novices won’t know the difference.
Destination Bachelor Parties
Sure, some guys like the traditional wild night strip-club-hopping party, but over the past few decades bachelor parties have evolved. These days, a man’s last days of single life tend to be more refined, and nothing says refined like a premium cigar.
Miami, Las Vegas, and the Big Apple remain popular spots for the bachelor or the bachelorette. Big cities offer a wide variety of dining and entertainment. You’re also more likely to find cigar lounges and clubs where you and the whole party can indulge in a premium cigar after dinner and before bar hopping. You won’t need to worry much about the weather in Miami or Vegas. There are plenty of open-air options to smoke. Weather permitting, you might find yourself on a rooftop patio in New York. Most big cities have long-established exclusive lounges that may require a membership. However, plenty offer day passes. If not, any big city will have a variety of venues and lounges where it’s alright to light up.
Cigars and the Great Outdoors
Many guys see the bachelor party experience as a perfect time to get away. If you and your group are not into the clubhopping scene, make a plan to get out into nature. Spending some quality time around the campfire is an excellent alternative to the Vegas Strip. If you don’t want to rough it, rent a cabin. Hunting or fishing excursions are perfect for bonding and serious cigar smoking. The best news? You won’t have to worry about smoking bans.
For the sportier types, a few rounds of golf are an excellent way to spend time with friends. Smoking cigars is a time-worn tradition on the golf course. A long weekend of skiing is another way to exercise the party energy. Warming up with some spirits and a fine cigar is a great way to end a day on the slopes.
Staying Local & Smoking Cigars
If a full weekend away is not in your budget, planning for a simple evening out is easy. Taking in a baseball game or a football game is a great way to celebrate. Most stadiums prohibit smoking, so the cigars will have to wait until after the game.
Pub crawls, trivia nights, karaoke, and escape rooms have become some of the latest trends. In warm weather months, most places have patios or smoking areas where your party can share a cigar. Even when temperatures dip below freezing, there are plenty of bars and restaurants that provide space heaters.
If you’re in a bind and smoking bans keep you out of restaurants and bars, find a local lounge. Cigar lounges typically have memberships, but most are open to walk-ins. There are a variety of lounges out there. Some provide full service bars and others are B.Y.O.B.
Bachelorette Parties and Cigars
The cigar world is inclusive of everyone. So there’s no reason a bachelorette party can’t include a few fine cigars.
Bachelorette parties can get pretty wild. However, parties for the bride tend to be more thematic. Whether it’s a dude ranch getaway, disco-themed dance party, or a traditional weekend at a spa for some pampering, don’t forget the cigars. Plenty of ladies are regular smokers of traditional cigars, but having a variety of smaller flavored cigars or cigarillos might be enticing for the reluctant first timer.
Nashville has become the hotspot for brides-to-be and their wedding parties, but there are plenty of other destinations for the maid of honor to choose from. A fine cigar might not go well immediately after a manicure, but lighting one up after a wine tour or the pickleball tournament is a perfect capstone to the single life.
No matter how you decide to celebrate before the wedding, spending time with friends is always better while smoking a premium cigar. .
Photo credit: Nelson Monteiro