The Carnegie Club

When I ordered the groupon for Proseco & Sinatra show, I didn't realize the place was a cigar lounge and that the room would be all smokey.   I had my SO tag along, and even though he was hesitant (claiming he didn't know any Sinatra songs, that the groupon sounded "too classy" for him), once we got there we both had a blast.   We shared a cigar and he also ordered an additional drink beside the Proseco that came with our Groupon.  We had such a fun date night, he told all of his friends about his "baller" night.  My bf also knew almost all of the Sinatra songs.  Steve was a great entertainer.  His performance was a fusion of musical hits and facts.  He was so pleasant after the show when we asked for a photo, even introducing us to his wife and their friend, "the champ," boxer Renaldo Snipes who frequents The Carnegie Club.  I would absolutely love to return for the late night show.

My favorite cigar bar of those I've visited (not including Grand Havana Club which isn't a public place but a private club at 666 5th I think, just off the top of my head, up from Hollister): Lex Bar and Books, Club Macanudo and the one by Sutton Place whose name I can never remember.

1. Decor: It's dark but has high ceilings with a large bar and various lounge /living room seating.

2. Great but young bartender who knows his cigars and makes great drinks. I love the Polo Match (had two, no DUI issue in NYC, unlike fascist California)

3. One TV above the bar on mute with sports only (no luck in getting Newsroom Season 2 premiere).

4. Excellent ventilation: if you kinda hate cigars but are a cigarette smoker (a "chipper" or social smoker or pack-a-day type) this is the place for you. I don't know why cigarettes are fine with me but I want to wretch in the presence of a cigar.

In the past few years living part-time in NYC, I have learned that expensive cigars offend me less than cheap ones, but Lex Bar and Books is near the Carlyle Hotel and the clients are well-to-do and older so either they're just wealthy misers or the ventilation is so subpar it doesn't matter if they're all smoking Montecristo 2, I have to get air even in a blizzard every 15 minutes.

5. Variety of cigars: I read the menu  to someone who lost his glasses. It's all Nicaragua and Dominican with a sprinkling of Honduran. Prices ranged from 14 to 80 on the page I read aloud.

6. Great, talkative, diverse customers, many of whom are regulars.

I had never heard of this place as Midtown West is not a hangout for me. I tend to be on the Upper East or West Side or around 22nd or below (Village, Union Square and even that isn't too common, but Lower East Side has Sunshine Cinema and a close subway from 63rd so I will mill about there before or after a show)

I would absolutely return to Carnegie.

P.S. If you're one of those people who obsesses about secondhand smoke EVEN on a public street or park, probably you should pass on all cigar bars, no matter how excellent the ventilation.

If you enjoy lounging out, have a few drinks and cigars, accompanied by a few friends, this is the place to be.

Great vibe, great staff and very classic... All the qualities I love.

Although the cigar smell didn't wash out of my hair for about 3 days (haha), I would definitely recommend people to come here.