London Cigar Scene: Cognac and Cigar Garden at Dukes Hotel, St James

[El Presidente]

London Cigar Scene: Cognac and Cigar Garden at Dukes Hotel, St James

http://londonist.com/2010/08/london_cigar_...c_and_cigar.php

By Nic Wing

Londonist has long been aware of the fame of Dukes Hotel in St James for producing London’s foremost Martini. Ian Fleming was famous for enjoying a ‘stiffener’ here and we all know where his Martini habit led.

A small army of highly proficient white coated Italian waiting staff give this charming and hidden hotel an unhurried elegance that you just can’t imitate without at least 100 years of experience.

So what could be better than to find that they have opened up London’s latest outdoor smoking garden where, in addition to a fine Cuban cigar, it is now possible to enjoy some exceptionally fine Cognac? A tiny slice of heaven in St James.

To add to the many fine cognacs and the extensive ‘Martini menu’ it is also possible to sample the newly created fruity and bold ‘Ruby Windsor’ cocktail, designed by the bar team especially for the garden.

With wonderfully comfortable seating for 20, a beautiful canopy and subtle lighting, if there is a more stylish spot in London for a cigar and a small libation, Londonist has yet to find it. But the search goes on…..!

Dukes Hotel is located at St James’s Place SW1A 1NY and open daily from 8pm. Visit the hotel's website for more details.

By Nic Wing

[laficion]

Great looking spot to enjoy a cigar

London is truly a wounderful place to have a cigar

and to visit some famous and renowned tobacco shops.

Thanks for the info Rob

[Habanakane21]

Been telling my wife for years about London and how I want to go there. Dukes Hotel sounds like the great place to check out when I do. Now if I can just get Italy out of my wives head..we'll be straight!!!

[Ryan]

Nice Article. I've met Nic at a couple of the London events, very nice guy and doing quite a bit for the cigar smoking scene in London.

St. James is quite the hub for cigars in London. Fox, Davidoff, Sautters and Dunhill are all in the area.

The British American Tobacco building is on the corner of Pall Mall and St. James. The story goes that when the lease expired BAT bought the building rather than have to change the trademark address on the side of all the cigarette packets. The ground floor is now a cigar sampling lounge.

[partagasd4]

I hope I can go one day. London is by far my favourite city in the world.

[matt14]

I hope I can go one day. London is by far my favourite city in the world.

Try living there!! 2 years was enough, probably why I made the decision to move to Vietnam!

[MIKA27]

The picture kind of reminds me of Arnold Schwarzaneggers cigar tent.