The Cigar Community - Anthropology Fieldwork
The Cigar Community
It is Saturday late afternoon. I get off the 2 Train at the “Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum” stop, and begin toward Washington Ave. I am heading to Blew Smoke. Located on the North-West corner of Crown Heights, it is one of not too many Cigar Lounges in the area. One of my goals is to gain knowledge as to why Cigar Lounges aren’t so popular these days. While there is no shortage of bars and coffee shops in Brooklyn, the cigar clientele seems to remain lingering in the shadows [literally and metaphorically.]
Blew Smoke is very easy to miss. With no awning or large sign, you might find yourself walking up and down the block trying to locate the entrance. When you finally spot it, it makes perfect sense. A rather shady glass front, with burgundy curtains obscuring the view inside. You open the door and are overwhelmed by, well, the nature of a Cigar Lounge. First and foremost, the smell. A strong combination of musty wood with tobacco. Then you have oak, cedar, and any other of the common components of the cigar makeup. Additionally, there is little mix of whiskies and wine adding to the blend.
The dim lights, flickering candles, and wafts of smoke contributing to a calming aura and totally relaxed vibe. At the same time you also get the feeling like you may have just walked into some sort of front for an underground crime organization. Leather couches and recliners with some wooden chairs and tables are spread out nicely throughout the room. Along [part of] the right side of the rectangle shaped room there's a bar-like heightened counter with wooden chairs, and behind it in the center a large TV screen.
When I walk in as I am removing my coat I am greeted by Dre’. We pick out a nice middle sized cigar from a large wooden cabinet and I decide to settle down by the side counter [/bar] closer to the entrance. I figure it would provide a decent vantage point to observe from. In the back left of the room, underneath an old fashioned looking six branch chandelier there’s a group of five fellas. Clearly, these guys are enjoying life. I guess it’s hard not to - when you’re in a cigar lounge, on the weekend, and are after a few shots of whisky with a group of your buddies.
There’s a lot going through my mind. I find myself analyzing the different kinds of people. You have the couple sitting together on a couch, perhaps celebrating some event in their life over a nice bottle of wine and a good smoke. You have the loners; some on their phone, others paying attention to the basketball game on the TV, and some just kind of in the moment enjoying being able to decompress in their own kind of way. I am wondering to myself “this isn’t a terrible outlet. Perhaps a little unhealthy, but nothing in comparison to other kinds of things that people use that can really cause permanent damage and addiction. Why for so many, are cigars not on the menu? I begin to think that I must be missing something. Maybe it’s the taste and smell that turns people off. Maybe some other association that people make. Soon enough I strike up a conversation with my boy Dre’ in the hopes of gaining some clarity on the subject.
I start off by asking about the “evolution” of Crown Heights. “I don’t hate it, I just wish it happened/was done with more human consideration and sensitivity.” Dre’ says that he bears no resentment toward others who moved in - in recent years. He is happy about the diversity and overall elevation of the area. “I just wish it was always this way [more diverse as opposed to a sudden shift resulting in swift changes in living expenses]. Many of my friends had to move out. Many older people who didn't foresee this change lost their home to some cheap deal they made.” I shared with Dre’ that my family too had to move due to this shift.
My cigar is half done and I am really enjoying this conversation. I see myself as another dude from Brooklyn exchanging ideas and memories with a fellow New Yorker. We got into some family history and background. It turns out that his family has been in the US for many generations. Finally I get to the question about the popularity/lack thereof of Lounges like this one. Dre’ says that the Cigar Community is a vastly misunderstood one. “you either do, or you don’t.” My follow up question is; is there a specific kind of people who “do”? And if yes, who are they? These are usually well versed sophisticated people. People who’ve been around [the world], sometimes slightly older. The kind of people who are settled down... As I am recording these details, a new group of customers come in. I was getting somewhere but unfortunately was cut short.
Some of the questions I left with and felt can be further explored: How did the cigar community evolve? Where is it heading? How do we expand the community? What are some of the barriers? In what way is the Cigar Community misunderstood? What are the health risks involved?
Leaving the Lounge after having such a lovely experience I am thinking; “Cigars should be at least as popular as Sushi… What is with people..?” Then I get on the train. I notice people glaring in my direction and then I remember - I smell really badly right now. After exiting a Cigar Lounge your clothes will retain a very strong smoky stench until they either are washed, or are aired out. Maybe that’s the reason after all why people stay away from the Lounge in the first place… Who knows…
Loose notes prepared and taken on site:
Ask
Basic personal background - where are you from, current location and occupation
Thoughts on the evolution/ current state of Crown Heights Brooklyn.
Sense of community/loneliness.
Cigar lounge-do people come alone?
Is it popular to go to a cigar lounge?
What crowd does it attract
Why isn’t it popular to go to a cigar lounge ? Is it difficult to get permits for indoor smoking?
Where does the idea of a lounge come from?
How do you fit in the picture?
I enter and am greeted by Drey, a really friendly black middle-aged guy. He’s here every other weekend shift. Last time I was with Nick. 50 years native Americans
Dim lighting, Wooden chairs, leather couches, candles flickering, chandelier in the back left adding to the warm lighting , at the entrance (on the right) a couple with some wine. A lively conversation in the middle left on the couches. Musty fumes combined with the stench of tobacco
On the far left is a group of guys
Great grandfather from Calcutta
People in the cigar community are usually more settled educated older misunderstood. Well versed.
I felt like another man winding down on a weekend. Taking his mind off of everything
“I’m not mad about it, but a lot of friends were affected” by the gentrification. Highlights the. Happy about the diversity.
Painting on the back wall of an older woman with a cigar. Multiple photos.
I smell like smoke cedar oak and all - maybe that’s why it isn’t so popular
In my estimation it should be more popular than sushi
Things to explore further:
How do we expand the community
What are some of the barriers
How did the cigar community evolve?
Where is it heading?