About The Cigar Bar

"Ever since I was a little kid, I've had this infatuation with cigars!"

You can tell that those words are true, because when you hear Rich Castiano say them, they are accompanied by a gleam in his eye. It's really that passion for cigars, along with his ability to make friends from behind a busy bar, that eventually created one of Downtown Ft. Myers most established landmarks, The Downtown Tobacco Shoppe and "World Famous" Cigar Bar.

Before you even step foot in the place, you can tell that The Downtown Tobacco Shoppe and Cigar Bar is a cool place, and one that you're sure you'll like. As you stroll down Hendry Street, you are drawn to a couple of tables where you usually see people reading or watching both the sidewalk and the street traffic. It's hard to walk by without slowing down, because even the windows are worth staring at.  The Downtown Tobacco Shoppe and Cigar Bar store front is an ever-changing collection of framed treasures of legendary cigar aficionados and selected "cigartifacts" that range from cigar store Indians to cedar lined mahogany humidors. 

Located in the Patio De Leon Building just off the corner of First Street, at 1502 Hendry Street, this place looks like its been there forever.  It's such a classic barroom, one so rich with tradition, that every once in a while a visitor will ask if Tom Edison himself, drank and smoked at "The Cigar Bar".  While it's documented that Edison liked to puff stogies in Downtown Ft Myers.... we're sure it was before our time.

It may have started when he was a little kid, but Rich Castiano's enjoyment of cigars has created an ideal place to select and savor great tobaccos, fine wines, and extraordinary spirits along with selected specialty beers.  And since it opened in the nineties, The Cigar Bar has been one of the few consistent downtown destinations.

From the selection of premium, imported and hard to find cigarettes to the spacious super-sized walk-in humidor that is always stocked with the greatest names in the industry. In addition, there's an incredible selection of cigars from small batch producers, as well as cigars that feature tobaccos selected by Castiano himself.

"This is the kind of place I wanted to put together, eclectic and hip, with a touch of class…but at the same time it had to be a place that was comfortable for everyone to enjoy". 

There's plenty to look at inside too, with a great array of taxidermy and the right blend of textures including leopard skins and antique martini shakers. It's comfortable from all angles, with high ceilings and ample smoke filtration, and the room is comprised of groupings of winged high-backed chairs with a couple of leather couches. Of course there's plasma TV's, so you can catch your favorite sports and stay current on world events, with the perfect blend of killer tunes, and a solid staff of friendly professionals.

"I always wanted to create a staff of friends that became part of a bigger family…and I know that we have done that.  All of us, from my Mom and Dad, to Charlie, Dino and so many others like Lindsey and Aaron, have spent years together. We've been through a lot together, and all of us have extended our families to include tons of friends that we've made downtown."

The Cigar Bar is just that kind of place. You'll never see a day when a member of the Castiano Family isn't there, and since it first opened you can count on seeing a familiar face. Whether it is Rich's mom, Arlene ("Mrs. C"), who opens the Tobacco Shoppe most every morning or his dad, Sal Castiano (who you might guess is also an avid cigar lover), there is always someone who can help you pick out just the right bundle or box of cigars for a delightful smoke or the perfect gift.

His parents and sister, Sally had already moved to Fort Myers from Long Island, New York, but Rich joined them in Florida in 1982 following his years at Cortland State College. Many long time residents of the area remember Rich from that long ago, when he worked at TGI Fridays, when the Bell Tower was new, and "way down south on 41".  In those days, Fridays was the busiest restaurant bar in all of Southwest Florida, and the bar staff was the areas best. Rich worked there for many years and was a friendly bartender who was also certified as one of Friday's Corporate Bar Trainers.  In fact, he was still working shifts at Fridays when he opened his first Downtown Cigar Shoppe, a place that was about as big as his current humidor.

Every Month, Rich Castiano and his staff choose a Connoisseur Collection "Cigar of the Month" and selects world class spirits, wines and specialty beers to introduce and feature at an exclusive Happy Hour Tasting.

It's easy to see why The Downtown Tobacco Shoppe and Cigar Bar have become such a part of the downtown landscape and is one of the all-time great places to unwind.  Stop by, you'll see that a visit to the Downtown Tobacco Shop and Cigar Bar is a great night out…any night of the week.