Sneads Ferry lights up with new cigar bar

More business and restaurants are going smoke-free and smokers might get to feeling a bit put out. With the opening of the Smokers Post and Cigar Lounge in Sneads Ferry, smokers have a place to call their own.

Chris and John McGinley, who own the Trading Post Coffee House, decided to open the Smokers Post to cater to smokers. Cigar smokers, in particular, though they do offer imported and organic cigarettes. 

But you won't find the Smokers Post filled with gruff, stogie-chomping, old men with cigar ash down the front of their shirts. The members-only Smokers Post is an elegant retreat with a full bar, walk-in humidor and separate smokers lounge.

Though the lounge is enclosed, it won't get stuffy. The smokers' lounge has a ventilation system that refreshes the air twelve times an hour. Non-smoking members are welcome to enjoy drinks in the bar area.

"There is nothing like it," said Heather Wargo, the bar manager. "It is a compliment to Sneads Ferry that people are ready for a nice place that serves good cigars, fine liquor and wine in a nice atmosphere."

"This all started from customer requests," said John. "There are plenty of educated and experienced cigar smokers in this area."

John explained that cigar tobacco comes from different regions and there are a variety of "tastes" to tobacco. "The filler might be from Honduras and the inner and outer wrapping of tobacco leaves may be from Nicaragua. There is a flavor to tobacco, and you might want to enhance that flavor with a nice drink such as cognac or brandy. It can take an hour to an hour and a half to enjoy a fine cigar. It is an experience."

After selecting a cigar from the walk-in humidor, smokers might choose one of the top-shelf liquors offered at the bar before retreating to the ‘smokers only' lounge.

While Heather pours their drinks, members should take notice of the mirrored emblems of all five military branches that crowns the top of the liquor shelves behind the bar.

"We have that as a tribute to the troops," John said, whose son is in the service. "We want to show our support."

It was a visit to their son when he was stationed in Italy that inspired the McGinleys choice of overall décor.

"We wanted to have an effect like that of an Italian courtyard," said Chris, pointing out the tile flooring in the smokers' lounge with a mosaic in the center of the smokers' lounge which John laid down.

John did much of the interior work himself including building the bar with the help of friends Walt Dodge (mirrored service emblems) and contractor Mark Zang.

He chose a warm, olive green for the walls. It happens to be the same color of Chris's eyes. "I liked that color so much when I was deciding on the walls. I remember it reminding me of something," smiled John.

The Smokers Post and Cigar Lounge is located at 1042 Hwy 210 (Atlantic Plaza) in Sneads Ferry.  The phone number is (910) 327-6400. Visit them on-line at www.smokerspostcigarbar.com.