Since 1997, Central Cigars has been St. Pete’s premier spot to find (and smoke) cigars. This weekend, the Central Avenue mainstay celebrates 25 years as a destination for aficionados, offering one of Tampa Bay’s biggest selection of cigars.

Central Cigars, the beloved lounge and sister bar of Ruby’s Elixir, has developed one of the finest cocktail programs in town alongside its vast cigar offerings, providing one of the deepest whiskey and bourbon lists in the area. The relaxed and rustic digs, paired with live music at Ruby’s, has made Central Cigars a destination for appreciators of cigars, spirits and music alike.

As described by The Cigar Journal, “Central Cigars is the old mainstay for cigar smokers in the Burg, where people have been coming to fire up their sticks for years. One might think this place is completely old school by the description, quite the contrary. Central is a blend of old and new school that results in the premier place to smoke in all of St. Pete.”

Central Cigars born from need for local cigar lounge

Inspired by a desire to bring Tampa’s cigar culture to St. Petersburg so locals wouldn’t have to cross the bridge, fifth-generation St. Pete native Greg Haddad opened his cigar store in 1997 simply as a place where those in the area could buy and enjoy cigars and accessories. Very quickly, the store’s popularity led to growth.

In the early 2000s, a small coffee lounge area was added adjacent to the cigar retail area for patrons to enjoy a cigar and relax. By the mid-2000s, Central Cigars had added a beer and wine bar, eventually evolving into a full-liquor bar in front with the back storage area turning into “The Havana Room”, a large lounge area with over-stuffed leather couches and chairs.

Finally, in 2011, the demand for live music led the property to become what it is known as today, Central Cigars & Ruby’s Elixir, with live music seven night nights a week, and cigars and drinks every day.

Central Cigars still boasts the largest selection of cigars and accessories in the St. Petersburg area, and Ruby’s Elixir is the only smoking-friendly live music lounge with a full-liquor bar, hosting favorite local acts as well as top-tier national and touring acts.

Central Cigars celebrates anniversary with weekend party

To commemorate 25 years in St. Pete, Central Cigars is hosting a weekend-long party March 25-27, featuring specialty cigars and cocktails, and of course plenty of live music. In addition to special prices on drinks, Central Cigars is rolling out a line of cigars and spirits you literally can’t get anywhere else.

For those with a taste for whiskey, the bar is showcasing its custom-produced bottles of Jefferson’s Reserve Fool’s Gold. The spirit pairs perfectly with a long smoke when savored together. Fool’s Gold offers notes of leather, humidor, sorghum, nutmeg and fried apple pie on the nose, followed by flavors of cinnamon toast, toffee and brown sugar, culminating in a long finish with a hint of spice.

And while supplies last, there will be limited edition commemorative cigars for sale, all constructed in the Tabacalera Leyendas Cubanas factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Central Cigars offered a description for each.

• Brazilian Maduro: The maduro consists of a blend using the finest well aged long-filler leaf from the Dominican. Wrapped in a beautiful, silky smooth Brazilian maduro wrapper. The rich, slightly sweet Brazilian Maduro offers a very flavorful experience and is a medium bodied smoke. This cigar has a very satisfying finish. It is truly a very relaxing luxury smoke.
• Connecticut Seed/Ecuadorian Shade: This Dominican made cigar is very smooth and mild, with its Conn. shade wrapper, and flavors of sweet spices it gives a bit of leather on the palate giving a characteristic of Nicaraguan creaminess with just a touch of spice. It draws and burns well with earthy notes, hints of sweet cream and a rich spicy finish.
• Habano: The Habano provides a complex medium bodied smoke that is very smooth without any harshness. Rolled with only the highest grade aged Dominican leaf which is matured and blended to achieve a rich and mellow taste. The Habano gives a smooth but complex flavor along with a wonderful aroma and satisfying aftertaste making for a great smoke.

Live music at Ruby’s Elixir begins nightly at 7:30. Follow Central Cigars on Facebook for more details.

What to read next:

• Renovations continue as The Vinoy undergoes phase one of redesign
• Staff picks for best pizza spots in St. Pete
• ‘Burg Guides: Best breweries in St. Pete
• Corey Landing project to bring $90 million+ mixed use development to St. Pete Beach