We’re seated at the bar for less than 30 seconds when a cheerful bartender appears before us and interrupts our thoughts …
“Can I get you two a drink or a cigar?”
One part cigar bar, one part speakeasy, The Cigar Room in Lakeway is like that warm and familiar bar where you can go to unwind, watch the game, and maybe even make a new friend or two. You always feel taken care of, whether your idea of a relaxing afternoon is sipping an aged Scotch or trying out a new cigar or two.
At home in the heart of Lakeway
Opened in 2008, Lakeway locals might remember The Cigar Room as the last standing bar that allows smoking — and actually encourages it.
You’re able to order at the bar from over 100 different types of cigars, from latte-flavored smokes to fatties that will take an evening to finish. They even have their own house brand of hand-rolled cigars from Torres, crafting some of the tastiest and most unique cigars and bringing them to the Lake Travis area.
Master rollers in Honduras and Mexico make sure that the tobacco leaves are fresh and organic, bringing that classic taste from South of the border just that much closer to home. It’s a family tradition that owner and operator Alex Torres has been working hard to bring to Texans over the last 8 years.
“I’ve always been fortunate enough to be around family that enjoys tobacco — that enjoys the cigar lifestyle,” Torres mentions as we tour his humidor, stocked with sweet-smelling cigars for any type of smoker.
A local to the Lake Travis area, Torres opened the shop just one month after the birth of his son, switching careers from chemical engineer to business owner, opening the only cigar bar in Lakeway.
His passion for tobacco can be tasted in every expertly-rolled cigar. And you know you’re in the right place when you are almost instantly catered to at the bar, whether you’re in the mood for a quick drink or you want to stay a while and watch the game.
Relaxation at its finest
But smoking isn’t the only activity encouraged at The Cigar Room. This is your time to take a break and unwind a bit, forcing you to sit back and relax for the duration of your smoke. There is no other way to enjoy a cigar, and so the tradition stands as a way to entice customers to sit back and relax, even if you only have 15-30 minutes.
“Cigars force you to slow down. To either appreciate or celebrate and/or relax. ”
It’s a tradition that many will find to be the perfect combination at the end of a long day. And it’s a daily ritual that Alex Torres is keen on sharing with all of the Lake Travis area.
From our first visit there (and I know it won’t be my husband’s last), we were able to see just why The Cigar Room has so many fans from all over Austin, from golfers to cigar-enthusiasts. Husband tested, wife approved!
The Cigar Room (map)
1310 RR 620 South A-12
Lakeway, 78734
