The Cigar Affair Launches Mobile Cigar Lounge With Dennis Hopson

[JohnS]

We've brought you articles on mobile cigar buses before, but honestly, not too often. It's a rare business idea and this one originates out of Ohio in the USA...

The Cigar Affair Launches Mobile Cigar Lounge With Dennis Hopson

By Leslie Anne Shore

Photo provided via The Cigar Affair.

Party buses aren’t a new concept. People have been drinking and partying on buses for over three decades. The Cigar Affair decided to switch up the normal party bus concept with this new and memorable party bus experience.

Dennis Hopson’s Havana & Rye Mobile Cigar Lounge allows you to partake in cigar smoking while traveling around the beautiful glass city. 

Cigar lovers can book a night on the town with seating for up to 22 people, traveling in style while enjoying some of the best cigars The Cigar Affair has to offer. Regional trips to arenas and stadiums across Ohio and Michigan are also available.

The bus uses air purifiers to keep the bus fresh for the customers, so you don’t have to worry about the lingering smell of smoke. 

The cost for travel is $25/hour with a $500 deposit that is refundable after inspection, minus a $25 cleaning fee.

The cigar shop teamed up with Ohio State University basketball legend Dennis Hopson to bring the bus to life.

The Cigar Affair has been providing the best cigars, humidors, pipes and accessories to Toledo cigar connoisseurs since 1996. The shop is located on the corner of Conant and Dudley in Maumee, Ohio. 

For more information on Dennis Hopson’s Havana & Rye Mobile Cigar Lounge, visit thecigaraffair.com/havana-and-rye. 

Source: https://toledocitypaper.com/tcp-art-culture/the-cigar-affair-launches-mobile-cigar-lounge-with-dennis-hopson/

[Ford2112]

[JohnS]

Customers say local basketball legend’s mobile cigar lounge is a slam dunk

Havana & Rye is the creation of Dennis Hopson.

The mobile cigar lounge is owned by local basketball legend, Dennis Hopson. © WTVG

By Lissa Guyton - Published: Jul. 19, 2025

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A lot of you enjoy a good cigar. There’s a fun way to do that in the Toledo area and beyond. Havana & Rye is a mobile cigar lounge and so much more.

Dennis Hopson had a remarkable career on the basketball court. It all started at Bowsher High School, followed by a record-setting career at The Ohio State University and then it was on to the NBA.

“I had the chance to play for three different teams during my five years in the NBA. New Jersey, Chicago and Sacramento,” Hopson said.

Hopson was first introduced to cigars when he was playing for the Chicago Bulls.

“The 1991 NBA championship was the first time I ever smoked a cigar after we won the championship. I don’t smoke them all the time, but I like cigars. Instead of going to a lounge, I’ll bring the party to you,” Hopson said.

He does that with this mobile cigar lounge, called Havana & Rye.

“It’s mobile entertainment. It’s a 22-passenger luxury shuttle. We have two TVs, a stereo system, Wifi, a wet bar, liquor and cigars,” Hopson said.

The luxury shuttle can host everything from a party in your own driveway to a night on the town.

“A lot of people will use it for bachelor and bachelorette parties, a night our with a group and weddings. It can also be a temporary man cave. We can go to your house and you can just come outside to have a smoke. It’s used for a variety of things,” Hopson said.

And the trips aren’t limited to Toledo. Hopson said the shuttle is licensed to travel through Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania.

“If you want to go to Detroit for a nice dinner or go to a bar in Columbus or Cleveland, we can do that. You don’t have to drive; someone drives for you,” Hopson said.

When it comes to the driver, another one will soon be on board, but right now, there’s usually an NBA champion behind the wheel.

“I drive 90% of the time,” Hopson said.

Hopson loves being the driving force behind his mobile entertainment business.

“When I was young, I wanted to be a truck driver, so this may be the next closest thing to driving a truck,” Hopson said.

He said it’s important to point out that the luxury shuttle is about much more than cigars.

“I don’t want this to be stereotypical as just for smoking because it’s not, but it is set up for smoking if that’s what you want to do. Cigars and pipes only, nothing else,” Hopson said.

There’s also a chance for people to enjoy certain spirits.

“All bourbon. Top of the line, allocated bourbon that you can’t just go buy, the kind you stand in line for depending on when they’re coming out,” Hopson said.

And there is a specialized ventilation system on board.

“We’re sitting here now and there is zero smell. The system is top flight, it doesn’t get any better,” Shawn Reid, a big fan of Havana & Rye, said.

Reid has been on board the bus quite a few times and he said it’s a slam dunk.

“What I love about it is that it is total relaxation. You sit back and enjoy the ride first and foremost. You can smoke a cigar with a libation and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s comfortable, the seats are well-crafted, you can enjoy a game or another TV show. There’s not a bad seat in the house,” Reid said.

Most of the business is on weekends, but you can schedule a ride during the week, too. 

On a side note, Hopson is also the athletic director at his alma mater, Bowsher High School.

Source: https://www.13abc.com/2025/07/18/customers-say-local-basketball-legends-mobile-cigar-lounge-is-slam-dunk/