Stanza dei Sigari

Cigar bars are a relic of another time—when hearing the risks of smoking sounded like a climate-change scientist to a fox news host. And framed on the wall is George Harrison’s half-smoked cigar: the legendary Beatles guitarist who also famously died of lung cancer. Just in case you forgot.

In Boston, this sort of business has long been banned. But Stanza dei Sigari is grandfathered in, as its ownership hasn’t left the family since it opened in the 1920s. 

The bar was passed through generations of the Riccio family, most recently to David Riccio Jr. Images of his father decorate the space, including one of Riccio Sr. with James Gandolfini, each is—of course—holding a cigar. 

To go out in Boston, you usually have two options: a bar with loud music where you’re expected to dance, or to a restaurant where you’re really supposed to order food. At Stanza, you can sit comfortably and talk into the night. And you’ll feel like Tony Soprano while doing it (season 3 Tony)—on top of the world.

It was originally a members only club. There’s a closet-sized room with lockers made of stained-oak, the size of shoe boxes where a few remaining members can still keep cigars. In 1990, it opened to the public.

Smoking is certainly not required. You don’t have to sit in a cloud either. The ventilation is fantastic, the stone walls and leather chairs don’t hold smell.

292 Hanover St., Boston, MA 02113