Retail and Development

Prohibition-style whiskey and cigar lounge to open in South End

The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar, an upscale, prohibition-style lounge for those who appreciate cigars and superior whiskies, will open Friday, Feb. 19 in South End.

Expect sophisticated, carefully curated hand-selected whiskies. “Yes, Charlotte is a bourbon city, but we hope to educate people on the wonders of many others,” said Ben Torres, general manager.

The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar opens Friday.
The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar opens Friday. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive file photo

The lounge will feature a custom-built walk-in humidor fully stocked with over 1,000 types of cigars for all palates along with a drink pairing menu. Here, you’ll find a more elevated inventory of cigars ranging anywhere from $10 to $30 for those harder-to-find cigars.

The walk-in humidor at Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar.
The walk-in humidor at Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

The Vintage will lead with about a dozen seasonal cocktails with the potential of keeping a few flagship ones on the menu. World-class wines, a selection of local beers on tap, small plates for noshing and a full espresso bar supported by Enderly Coffee will also be available.

The decor inside the lounge has a sleek feel and is paired with earthy tones throughout the space to create a warm and welcoming ambiance from start to finish. “Everything was very carefully done,” Torres said.

The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar has seating in the main bar area, out on the patio and in two private rooms in the back.
The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar has seating in the main bar area, out on the patio and in two private rooms in the back. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

By combining the cigar culture with the elevated bar scene, The Vintage offers something for people of various interests to enjoy. “I am hoping this concept appeals to any walk of life currently living in the area or just visiting,” Torres said.

The Vintage will operate on a private members-only basis. General memberships are $20 and can be acquired in-person and online.

The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar in South End has a huge stock of cigars.
The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar in South End has a huge stock of cigars. Alex Cason Photography CharlotteFive

The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar will be located in the 3,200-square-foot building on 215 E. Worthington Ave., which was formerly Iron Tribe Fitness. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the lounge will be open at half capacity daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar

215 E. Worthington Ave.

Instagram: @thevintageclt


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This story was originally published February 18, 2021 at 9:40 AM.

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