They say in Arizona that cigars burn better in the desert. So, if you find yourself in Phoenix, the state capital, taking in the spectacular desert scenery, the city has just what a cigar lover needs — at virtually every level and budget.
Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is much more than a stopover on the way to the Grand Canyon. Known as the “Valley of the Sun” and set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation from a small agricultural desert settlement into one of the fastest-growing technology and business centers in the United States.
With around 300 days of sunshine a year and summer temperatures that can easily climb above 40°C (104°F), it is hardly surprising that the region remained relatively sparsely populated until World War II. The war, and the establishment of military facilities and related industries, helped accelerate the city’s extraordinary growth.
Today, Phoenix is a major business and technology hub. Alongside that development, it has cultivated a distinctive leisure culture combining the dramatic outdoors of the Arizona desert with sophisticated, comfortably air-conditioned interiors.
Thanks to the steady flow of tourists and business travelers, Phoenix also offers plenty for cigar enthusiasts. The dry desert air, views of Camelback Mountain and fiery orange sunsets seem perfectly suited to a carefully selected cigar and a glass of fine bourbon.
Here are three of Phoenix’s standout cigar lounges.
Churchill’s Fine Cigars
If you are looking for history, expertise and heritage without unnecessary pretension, Churchill’s is a natural destination.
Established in 1995 as a locally owned business, Churchill’s became one of the pioneering cigar destinations in the Valley of the Sun. Today, it is an authorized Davidoff retailer and carries an extensive selection of leading cigar brands, including Arturo Fuente, Padrón, Tatuaje, Ashton, Drew Estate, Oliva, My Father and many others. The company operates several locations around the Valley.
The Phoenix location is a cigar lover’s haven, with an impressive selection covering many of the industry’s most respected names.
The lounge itself is relatively intimate and sits in a quiet area close to shopping, with convenient parking nearby. Inside, exposed red-brick walls are decorated with large photographs of Winston Churchill, naturally accompanied by his seemingly inseparable cigar.
Large screens show sporting events, while deep brown leather armchairs and bar stools create the atmosphere of a classic gentlemen’s club with a distinctly Southwestern twist. It is the sort of place where regulars unwind after work, while others meet over a cigar to talk business.
Churchill’s bar — appropriately named Winston’s — is particularly appealing to whiskey enthusiasts. There is a strong emphasis on single-malt Scotch and sought-after bourbons, including prestigious names such as Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace, alongside an extensive menu of spirits and cocktails.
Churchill’s Fine Cigars
5041 N 44th Street, Phoenix
(602) 840-9080
Churchill’s Phoenix | Premium Cigars & Bar
Castro’s Cigar Lounge
Located in Phoenix’s Ahwatukee area, Castro’s Cigar Lounge manages to combine contemporary sophistication with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
The philosophy is straightforward: luxury does not have to be pretentious.
The interior is modern and comfortable, featuring wood flooring, inviting black sofas and warm lighting. A quality sound system sets the mood, while several television screens keep sports fans entertained.
One of Castro’s biggest advantages is its versatility. Guests can settle into the intimate indoor lounge or head outside to the patio and enjoy the cooler desert evenings.
The lounge has developed a reputation for attentive customer service, with a team that knows both its cigars and its regular clientele. The overall atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and unforced.
Inside the humidor is a broad selection of leading cigar brands, alongside special and occasionally hard-to-find releases. Fans of fuller-bodied cigars will also find selections from Camacho. The emphasis throughout is on quality rather than simply quantity.
The drinks program is another highlight. Unlike many traditional cigar lounges, Castro’s places considerable emphasis on handcrafted cocktails. Its bartenders prepare house-made syrups and experiment with seasonal combinations to create drinks designed to complement the lounge experience.
Alongside the classics, Castro’s also participates in barrel programs with various distilleries, giving guests the opportunity to taste distinctive whiskey expressions. And for those who prefer to keep things simple, there is always a pint of Guinness on draft.
The food menu follows the relaxed approach, with classic American and Mexican-style finger food ranging from loaded nachos to mozzarella sticks.
Castro’s Cigar Lounge
4855 E Warner Rd, Phoenix
(480) 687-2850
Arizona Cigar Lounge – Castro’s Cigar Bar
Ambassador Fine Cigars
Ambassador is perhaps the most elegant and luxurious of the three lounges featured here.
Its owner, Vartan Seferian, a well-known figure in the American cigar world, was born in Lebanon, later moved to Canada and eventually made his way to Arizona.
Ambassador began in 1997 as a small cigar shop and gradually developed into an expansive retail store and lounge covering approximately 370 square meters (around 4,000 square feet), including a walk-in humidor of roughly 100 square meters.
The lounge has undergone a rebranding in collaboration with luxury cigar company El Septimo, making it one of a select number of destinations offering an extensive experience centered around the brand.
Seferian believes strongly in the idea of being an “ambassador” for cigar culture. He and his team devote time to newcomers, teaching them how to cut and light a cigar correctly and guiding them through their first steps into the world of premium tobacco.
Members receive 24-hour access to the exclusive and elegant Davidoff VIP Lounge, a wood-paneled space characterized by understated contemporary design. Other guests can relax in the spacious Montecristo Lounge.
The overall interior combines modern elegance with quiet luxury. Brown ceramic flooring, solid wood furniture and beige leather sofas and armchairs create a polished yet comfortable environment. Reclining television chairs allow guests to put their feet up and settle in front of the screen. Every corner has a sense of style.
The humidor also holds cigars that can be hard to find elsewhere, including prestigious releases such as the Davidoff Oro Blanco, which can cost hundreds of dollars per cigar, as well as Seferian’s private cigar brand, Vartan The Dragon.
The bar is extensive, ranging from bottled beer to premium whiskey, bourbon, wine and other spirits.
The bar also caters to poker enthusiasts, with a dedicated poker table and occasional poker evenings. These join a calendar of cigar and wine tastings that reinforce Ambassador’s identity as much more than simply a cigar store.
Ambassador Fine Cigars
10810 N Tatum Blvd #140, Phoenix
(480) 905-1000
Locations – Ambassador Fine Cigars
