tags on every page of your site. --> Soho Cigar Bar Celebrates 25 Years In Business | Cigar Aficionado

The Big Smoke Returns To Las Vegas—Tickets On Sale Now

Cigar Industry

Soho Cigar Bar Celebrates 25 Years In Business

Mar 26, 2024 | By Thomas Pappalardo
Soho Cigar Bar Celebrates 25 Years In Business
Photos/Attreo Santayana
Lee Ringelheim, owner of Soho Cigar Bar, cutting a celebratory cake for 25 years in business.

New York is a fairly tough city in of its smoking laws and can be difficult to navigate when searching for a cigar-friendly space, but there are still some safe havens if one knows where to look. Located in downtown Manhattan, Soho Cigar Bar, (originally known as Circa Tabac), celebrated a quarter century in business on March 5 with an evening bash.

"We are thrilled to reach this incredible milestone and celebrate 25 years of Soho Cigar Bar," says Lee Ringelheim, owner of Soho Cigar Bar. "Our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for our patrons remains unwavering. As we look back on our journey, we are grateful for the of our loyal customers and the vibrant community that has embraced us."

SoHo Cigar Bar
A waitress in a bedazzled Ziegfeld costume, ing out cigars on the big night.

Inside, the space feels both upscale yet comfortable with a décor reminiscent of a bygone era with art-deco fixtures, dark wood accents and portraits of the Rat Pack on the walls. The feeling of going back in time was further reinforced on the night of the party by young women dressed in bedazzled Ziegfeld costumes making their way through the crowded bar carrying trays of cigars or drinks. One Ziegfeld girl sat in a giant coupe glass in the center of the room doing kicks in the air to the music playing over the speakers.

It was a packed event, with a mixed crowd of young and old, men and women, and any other demographic you can think of smoking side by side, united in their appreciation of fine cigars and a good venue by which to enjoy them.

SoHo Cigar Bar
Tie Domi (center), who was one of the toughest men to play in the NHL, smoking at a corner table during the festivities.

The establishment has its patronage of both locals and celebrities such as former New York Rangers player Tie Domi, who was in attendance to show his appreciation at the party. “Soho Cigar Bar is where I can relax and make calls and do FaceTimes, have a Davidoff and watch sports with Frank Sinatra music on in the background,” he said in a statement. “Is there anything better?” 

In addition to the open bar, attendees were also given a choice of either Glennfiddich 12, 15 and 18 whiskies to pair with the house-brand cigars that were being ed out. At one table in the back, a pair of cigar rollers from Martinez Cigars were on hand to demonstrate their craft and hand out cigars to guests.

Soho Cigar Bar
Karen Gao (left) and Holland Smith, Soho Cigar Bar regulars, enjoying smokes at the anniversary party.

Towards the end of the evening, Ringleheim cut a cake made to look like a humidor with decorative confectionery details resembling cigars and cutters.

"Celebrating 25 years signifies longevity, adaptability, and loyalty, both from our cherished customers and dedicated staff,” says Ringleheim. “It's been a wild ride, but the future looks bright. As Frank Sinatra famously sings, 'If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,’ and indeed we have."

Read Next: Padrón Releasing Perfecto To Celebrate 60th Anniversary

cigar-industry

More in Cigar Industry

See all
Best Cigar Prices Merges With Alliance Cigar

Best Cigar Prices Merges With Alliance Cigar

Two former competitors are now allies.

May 22, 2025
Q1 Profits Down At STG

Q1 Profits Down At STG

The cigar and tobacco giant trimmed its financial outlook for 2025 over tariff and other worries.

May 20, 2025
Cohiba Vs. Cohiba: Another Win For Cuba

Cohiba Vs. Cohiba: Another Win For Cuba

Judge dismisses General Cigar’s lawsuit in the decades-long legal battle over the Cohiba trademark.

May 8, 2025
Davidoff Closing Downtown NYC Cigar Shop

Davidoff Closing Downtown NYC Cigar Shop

Manhattan shop is one of two stores being shuttered this summer by Davidoff, ing one in Houston.

May 7, 2025
Big Smoke Las Vegas Tickets On Sale Now

Big Smoke Las Vegas Tickets On Sale Now

For nearly three decades, the Big Smoke Las Vegas has been the biggest celebration in the cigar …

Apr 14, 2025
E.P. Carrillo Changes Name To Casa Carrillo

E.P. Carrillo Changes Name To Casa Carrillo

E.P. Carrillo, the two-time Cigar of the Year winner that makes such brands as Pledge, Inch and …

Apr 10, 2025
CIGAR AFICIONADO NEWSLETTERS
Check out Cigar Aficionado's newsletters, bringing you our latest ratings & reviews, cigar news and our guide to the good life.