Grand Cathedral Cigars — Attraction in Tampa

Happy new Year 2024 - I’ve been waiting over a year to visit Grand Cathedral Cigars in Tampa. Today is that day….! Thrilled to share my review and pictures. The Grand Cathedral was originally built in 1906 and was home to “First Congressional Church” for many years, It then sat unused and abandoned for over 20 years! A long time cigar aficionado, Angela and her team transformed this historic building into what it is today, a sanctuary for cigar aficionados! Visitors from all over the world (must read the reviews) travel to spend time at the Grand Cathedral Cigars!

This is a unique place, one-of-a-kind. Not only is the building historic, the environment is unlike any other cigar lounge I've ever had the pleasure of visiting ! Any given day, you may find Angela at the bar interacting with members & visitors alike. Dominic knowledge of cigars is solid. For today's visit, I enjoyed a medium house blend cigar, which was excellent.

At the bar Alyssa or Bella are at the ready to serve your drink of choice. Mine was an "Old Testament", an old fashioned served with "Mitchers Small Batch Bourbon". I'm told it's the most popular drink in the house.

Plenty to seating indoor and outdoors. Gran Cathedral Cigars caters to members and non-members alike, though members have their own exclusive seating area on the 2nd floor balcony!

PARKING: Building lot fills up quickly during busy days/times - There is an available free parking lot a block away! Keep driving one block north on your right (big sign on the lot) Live music events featuring local artists 4 nights per week, Wed through Sat 6-10pm

Be on the lookout for unique events like the "Tampa Bay Whiskey Voyage" among many others.

Fun Facts: 118yr old building, the seating bar lounge area is designed as a grand piano, the decorative cigars are actual/real cigars, all 482 of them. More fun facts: 1886 Vicente Martínez Ybor and Cuban cigar manufacturers founded Ybor City, which became known as the "cigar capital of the world" by 1900. 1887 Ybor City became part of Tampa. 1920 Tampa's cigar industry became a global hub with over 200 factories, mostly in Ybor City and West Tampa. 1906 The First Congregational Church of Tampa was built on the corner of Florida Avenue and East Frances.

Lastly, thank you for reading this far, please checkout & like Mathew Suarez review below, his comments are on-point! https://maps.app.goo.gl/GcUWA4Tz4kSD2FDV9

Disclosure: I identified myself as a Volunteer Google Guide and was given a second cigar at no cost after paying for...

Atmosphere & Ambiance: Grand Cathedral Cigars offers an inviting and warm atmosphere, perfect for both cigar enthusiasts and casual visitors. The welcoming ambiance is enhanced by the beautiful interior that adds to the overall experience. It's definitely a place where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the finer things in life.

Staff & Service: The staff at Grand Cathedral Cigars went above and beyond to make our group feel at home. Their friendly and accommodating nature ensured that we felt welcomed, and they are more than willing to assist with any requests. Whether you're an experienced cigar aficionado or a newcomer, the staff's knowledge and passion for cigars and customer service will impress you.

Drinks & Cigars: One of the highlights of our visit was the vast selection of cigars and the ability to have any drink crafted to your liking. The variety of cigars caters to all tastes, from newbies to seasoned smokers. Pairing this with a tailor-made drink adds a personalized touch to our experience.

VIP Section: For those looking to elevate their experience, the VIP section offers a more exclusive setting. It was a great option for us ladies to be able to enjoy each other’s company with such a large group.

Community: What truly sets Grand Cathedral Cigars apart is the community-centric focus. Their slogan, “It’s not about the cigar, it’s about the people,” really rings true. It's clear that the place is more than just a cigar lounge; it's a community hub where people can connect, share stories, and enjoy each other's company.

Overall Impression: Our first visit to Grand Cathedral Cigars was memorable, and it's on the revisit list when visiting Tampa again. Whether you're there for the cigars, the drinks, or the camaraderie, this place does know how to create a meaningful and enjoyable experience...

Came to re do a review i gave 2 years ago that was a 5 star review with Dom. I wish I could post more than one, but i cannot sadly. Dom was great when we went and the experience was great then, 2 years ago when I posted my review. I've been coming here for a while now and never been addressed like I have been today. I came in today with some old friends and my wife. We got a table, order 6 drinks between all of us. I am a daily cigar smoker so I carry my own Travel Humidor, as well as cigars, but always support and buy a cigar from whatever spot I am at after I smoke my first. The second we got our drinks, were told last call. Just lit our cigars and got a drink so that was unfortunate, but nothing mood wrecking. We just finished put drinks and enjoyed our 30 minutes of talking. I didn't even get halfway through my cigar, the humidor closed, and so did the venue. As we leave I ask a question, and i assume the manager in a white button up. Told me no to smoke my own cigars here and to buy cigars from there if I go to enjoy a cigar. I let it go and just left. Never spoke to him prior, nor during our 30 minute stay. He apparently noticed me enough to say that, but not enough to notice we purchased 6 drinks during our small stay. Never spoke to him any other time I've ever went there with friends and colleagues. I found his remarks incredibly inconsiderate and impolite. As if I did something wrong... I've spent plenty money on cigars and have brought many colleagues to spend time here. I spend most of my time at Corona Cigar Lounge, Cigar International in Brandon, Long Ash Cigar in Ybor and NEVER been approached and had and issue, as I know some polcies might now allow for such. I did not appreciate his remarks whatsoever. Especially with less than 30...