Rachel Shuster

Located at 15 Hamilton St. in Worcester, Cedar Box Lounge is a new high-end cigar bar offering the Worcester community a unique experience.

Owner Charles Youssef says that business has been a success ever since opening on January 2nd. “It’s been going great,” he said. “Customers are getting familiar with us and it’s been a great start.”

As for the name, “Cedar Box Lounge,” Youssef explains there were two elements in choosing the company name. “Every cigar comes in a cedar wood type of box. Also, our humidor (a humidity-controlled box) is made out of cedar wood. Cedar wood does not create mold when it’s humid. It protects the wood from mold, and humidors are supposed to keep cigars in good condition. So, that’s where the name came from.”

Youssef describes the space as a “cigar lounge designed in a way that when a customer comes in, they will be extremely comfortable.” Youssef spent a lot of effort creating a comfortable environment where people can enjoy and entertain themselves. “It’s a place where people can meet, converse and enjoy a cigar,” he said. “We have very high ceilings, almost 16 feet, so the smoke is not an issue. All our furniture is made of leather, we have seven different areas to sit as a group, plus nice stools around the bar. Smoking a cigar is a very time-consuming thing. It takes almost an hour, so I want to provide the best and most comfortable environment for our customers.” 

Youssef is no stranger to the hospitality industry. “I have owned three pizza places in the city and was involved in some night clubs before that,” he said. “I also love to smoke cigars, so all those put together inspired me to open a cigar bar.”

As Worcester grows, Youssef hopes that Cedar Box Lounge will add a uniqueness to the city. “There’s a lot of new things happening in the city and I’m hoping Worcester will grow with Cedar Box Lounge, and will welcome something different and different clientele from cities and towns,” he said.

Cedar Box Lounge also offers some appetizers to munch on. “We have some finger food, appetizers – something to snack on while you’re enjoying a cigar and/or wine, bourbons, etc.,” Youssef said. “We have some cheeses, flatbreads and other small items,” he added. Pricing for these items range from $8 to $13.

Youssef mentioned that he has hosted a couple of events at Cedar Box Lounge, and is working on more in the future. “I am talking to a couple different bands, hoping to have live music on Fridays and Saturdays,” he said. “I want to make sure those bands, and any live music we have, provide entertainment, but also [that they] keep the environment nice and comfortable, matching the relaxed atmosphere of the lounge itself.”

For more information on Cedar Box Lounge, contact 508-373-2314. See you there!