Smoking laws vary widely around the world, but in London, lighting up in enclosed public spaces has been banned since 2007.
Long before that, cigar lounges were fixtures of the city’s private clubs and grand hotels – places where politicians, writers, and business people gathered over drinks and conversation late into the evening.
Today, London cigar lounges have evolved to fit modern laws and tastes. Many hotels have transformed terraces, courtyards, and rooftop spaces into polished cigar lounges that balance the old-school atmosphere with contemporary ventilation systems, strong whisky lists, and carefully curated humidors.
From historic smoking rooms to sleek outdoor terraces, these are the best cigar lounges in London’s luxury hotels.
See more: Step Inside London’s Best Hotel Suites
Best cigar lounges in London
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The Emory
Hidden just off the rooftop bar at The Emory, The Emory Cigar Merchants takes a more modern approach to a traditional cigar lounge. Interiors by Rémi Tessier keep things understated, with the focus firmly on the cigars themselves, and smart micro-perforations in the wooden floor and a powerful extraction system keep the air remarkably clear. The collection is overseen by Blue Curran, one of the UK’s few Masters of Havana Cigars, who also curates bespoke spirit pairings for guests.
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The Lanesborough
Although in central Mayfair, thanks to lush landscaping, the Garden Room at The Lanesborough feels pleasantly removed from the traffic circling Hyde Park Corner. The terrace is one of London’s go-to spots for cigars, champagne, and late-afternoon drinks, with a cigar program led by Angel Niakas, whose selection ranges from sought-after Cuban cigars to pairings with historic Cognacs and Armagnacs, some dating back to the 18th century.
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The Connaught
Hidden behind the Red Room bar at The Connaught, The Connaught Cigar Merchants is home to one of London’s largest cigar collections. Designed by Bryan O’Sullivan, the compact space centers around a wall-length Italian humidor stocked with more than 170 Cuban cigars, from regular releases to rare vintage editions. Guests can stop by to shop the collection or settle in with a cigar overlooking Mount Street, paired with spirits from the lounge’s locker-lined back bar, including the house Connaught Scotch.
The program is overseen by Adam Lajca, one of just 33 Masters of Havana Cigars worldwide, who also advises guests on building private collections and sourcing harder-to-find cigars, including the sought-after Cohiba Siglo VI Gran Reserva and Montecristo Sublimes.
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The Beaumont
In Mayfair, The Beaumont approaches cigars with the same old-school character as the rest of the hotel. Le Magritte bar houses a custom-built humidor filled with Cuban cigars, alongside a strong lineup of Bourbons and American whiskies. Guests can smoke out on the terrace overlooking Brown Hart Gardens, with cigar sommelier Antonino Lo Lacano on hand to suggest pairings, whether that is a grand cru champagne or something stronger. There is also the option to rent a private humidor compartment for regular visits.
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Bertrand’s Townhouse
Spread across three Georgian townhouses in Bloomsbury, Bertrand’s Townhouse takes cues from philosopher Bertrand Russell, including his well-known enthusiasm for cigars. The main draw here is the network of connected garden terraces, flanked by a cigar cupboard, designed for small gatherings and long evenings outdoors, cigar in hand.
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The Peninsula
Adjacent to The Peninsula’s famous rooftop restaurant, Brooklands, sharing its dedicated elevator, is The Tasting Room, a cigar lounge that takes inspiration from the world of fine motorcars. A mahogany-paneled sitting room, the unusual lounge incorporates design elements of The Delage 155B, the French race car that won the first Grand Prix at Brooklands in 1926.
The space is home to a walk-in humidor, and patrons can also rent private climate-controlled lockers for storing cigar purchases. The cigar room is overseen by Master of Havana Cigars Manu Harit and boasts an attached terrace for great views over Hyde Park and the surrounding cityscape.
See more: Review: The Peninsula Suite is London’s Biggest – But Does Size Matter?
How we chose the best luxury cigar lounges in London
Each lounge is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand reviews where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality and exceptional craftsmanship.
