By Benjamin McNeil

If you’ve recently traveled down Park Avenue after sundown, you may have noticed Smokey Joe’s ~ a cigar house and imminent Worcester hotspot, marked by a marble façade and a protruding lit-cigar prop. Smokey Joe’s Cigar House, driven by 23-year-old owner Bobby Iwanow and a motivated staff, hasn’t been open long, but it will not remain a “hidden” gem for long.

Many may notice that Rumors, the popular Worcester nightclub, once occupied that entire corner of Park Ave. While both Smokey Joe’s and Rumors are owned by the same group, the cigar house took half of the club’s space.

So what exactly is a cigar house? Before you imagine an overwhelming aroma of stale smoke that knits itself into your clothing, know that Iwanow strives to differentiate Smokey Joe’s from the competition.

“We are more technologically advanced than any other place in the city,” Iwanow said. While all other hookah bars and cigar houses in Worcester have one HVAC system, Smokey Joe’s is equipped with two. “We have two, so you don’t leave here smelling like smoke. The only other place around with this set-up is WPI’s chemical lab.”

But Smokey Joe’s is more than a cigar house ~ it serves an inventive array of drinks, ranging from your everyday on-tap domestics to an extensive wine list and a chocolate espresso martini. Of the latter, Iwanow said with a smile, “We’ve had rugged 20-somethings refuse to order martinis. After suggesting they try the chocolate espresso, they became instant converts.”
Upon venturing into Smokey Joe’s, you’ll also find more than 100 types of cigars stored in a humidor ~ everything from Toros to Presidentes. Iwanow does not smoke regularly, but he’s studied cigars extensively over the past year and said, “We work with a distributor, so we can get anyone anything they want. That, and we guarantee we’ll match or beat any of our competitors’ prices.” His expertise has garnered praise from Worcester’s high-ranking public officials, along with people who’ve driven from Springfield and farther to find a quality cigar house.

The Smokey Joe’s staff strives to construct an inclusive community, Iwanow said. “We don’t want to alienate any demographic. We want to meld everyone’s experience together … the 19- to 21-year-old college crowd and those 65 and over.” Leather chairs positioned toward each other, along with a welcoming and attentive staff, help encourage this comfort and togetherness.

Smokey Joe’s is open seven days a week, often until 2 a.m., but its grand opening is scheduled for May. “We’re still adding on, but we spent money in all the right places and it shows,” Iwanow said. Soon, the cigar house will feature live acoustic and three-piece jazz sets, charity initiatives and an outdoor patio. Smokey Joe’s is poised to make a permanent mark on Worcester’s cultural scene.

For additional information, visit smokeyjoescigarhouse.com.