‘World Famous’ Cigar Bar’s third location a popular draw
In September, a “World Famous” Cigar Bar opened quietly at 1311 Cape Coral Parkway E. in Cape Coral. Its presence has not gone unnoticed – it has been welcomed by Cape Coral residents with open arms.
That was as expected.
Although new to the Cape, the “World Famous” Cigar Bar has a long-established loyal following.
The first opened in 1996 in the historic Patio de Leon building on Hendry Street in downtown Fort Myers. To accommodate the four bands brought in to celebrate its 20th anniversary in October, the city permitted the shutdown of Hendry Street between Main and First.
The second “World Famous” Cigar Bar opened in 2007 at Gulf Coast Town Center. It is large and comfortable and sometimes boisterous, with or without the stimulation of televised sports. A railed, open patio with deep-cushioned seating runs the length of the front. Easily one of the most popular lounges in the Gulf Coast Town Center, its frequent events are memorable, at the very least.
Rich Castiano, a Long Island native, is the creator and owner of the “World Famous” Cigar Bars. He did his homework before making the decision to open a third place on the Cape. The population, alone, indicates a probable market, but more than that, Castiano likes the hometown feel of the Cape and its ethnic diversity. He also noted that while there are a number of cigar stores here, none are lounges where people can comfortably relax for a smoke.
“I wanted to open up something nice, comfortable, with the best selection of cigars and liquor, so whether you’re a smoker or not, you could still come in, relax and enjoy yourself,” he said.
Castiano wanted it to be a place that women felt comfortable in, also.
The result is a 2400-square-foot cigar and liquor lounge that is elegant without pretension, that is uncluttered, clean and virtually smokeless. The color tones are a sophisticated neutral, the Edison lighting subdued, the furnishings and decor classic urban chic.
The mood is relaxed; when you walk in, it’s like coming home. You sink into an easy chair and when your drink arrives, the waitress is likely to move the small table to within easy reach of your hand. You feel genuinely welcome and cared for here. You also feel respected.
The respect that Rich Castiano shows his guests is in his discriminating and thoughtful selection of liquors and smokes. Behind the gleaming, dark wood bar, for instance, mirrored bottles carry the labels you favor, but also scotches that are limited or rare. Castiano’s beers and wines are also as carefully chosen as the lounge’s wood, fabric and leather furnishings.
And the tobacco. Ah, yes. The selection of smokes in the glassed, 300-square-foot humidor is peerless and, like his scotches, sometimes unavailable anywhere else locally. Castiano has cultivated the friendship of growers and producers whose names are legend in the art and industry of cigar manufacturing and has visited plantations in Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Honduras. Whether his guests are cigar aficionados or novitiates to the world of cigars, an expert staff member is always available to answer questions and assist in the choice of a smoke.
Castiano’s managing partner, Paul Staab, not only has an impressive background in the restaurant and bar business, he has also trained for years with Rich at the busy Gulf Coast Town Center location. They have been friends for many years. Paul, Castiano said, is the major factor in his decision to open a cigar bar in Cape Coral. When his friend agreed to come aboard, the project was launched.
“He’s like a brother,” Castiano said. “A smart guy. He’s all about service. No better guy in the business.”
When asked why he wanted to partner with his friend in this kind of business, Staab said simply, “Because it’s people-centric. It’s more like a social club than a business.”
Patrons become friends, Staab explained, because they have something in common-they’re all cigar smokers. Also, Staab laughed, “I’m from a big Greek family, so the social club atmosphere makes me feel right at home.”
Castiano’s decision, 20 years ago, to open his first cigar lounge was similarly inspired by family associations, particularly childhood memories of his father smoking with friends. The aroma of cigar smoke evokes for him pleasant memories of their easy camaraderie, of quiet conversation and sometimes passionate debate among friends. (His guests today may have the opportunity to enjoy the same experience, as Rich’s father, Sal, is likely to stop in for a smoke with friends any afternoon or evening.)
To maintain an atmosphere conducive to conversation with friends or to the quiet, solitary enjoyment of a cigar over a newspaper, the volume of the wall-mounted TVs around the room are kept at a comfortably low volume and the music is cool and bluesy, soft and jazzy, or ’50s swinging Sinatra.
Weekends are another matter. Musicians of all kinds will be performing on weekends, and after the holidays, special events will include visits from big-name manufacturers, ladies’ nights with wine tastings and the kinds of parties that only Rich Castiano knows how to throw.
In the meantime, Rich subscribes to NFL’s Sunday Ticket via DirecTV. Whether you smoke or not, you and your friends can watch your favorite teams live all day long at the cigar bar. Ralph’s Place next door will run over anything on their menu you fancy, day or night.
Happy hour is from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
For hours or other information, call 239-471-0294 or visit worldfamouscigarbar.com.