Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge – A “Day Spa” For Guys


Kelly Lamrock Lights Up And Kicks Back At Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge

One thing that’s so easy to love about Vegas is the endless sense of discovery. All of us have our little list of secrets that we cherish. No matter how much you think you’ve seen, there’s always some place in Sin City that does the “usual” a little differently, a little skewed, or a little bit better. So…let me tell you about Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge.

It’s understandable to think that Forum Shops at Caesars Palace (a Simon Corporation-run mall at that) would be an unlikely place for cigar-lounge greatness. But tucked away across from a sports memorabilia shop is a top entry on my Vegas “must-do” list.

Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge

Casa Fuente is the “house” of owner Carlos “Carlito” Fuente. It just celebrated its tenth year in the Forum Shops. As you walk through the “patio”-style front and into the lounge, you know right away that things just got serious. The bar is simple and old-school, as it should be. Rich woods, touches of red leather, simple signage and diverse bottles give the room a timeless quality. The mall fades away quickly and the vibe of the room takes over.

The cocktails are old-school, too, with fresh ingredients like real ginger, bitters, and hand-squeezed limes. We will get to those, but first we need to talk about the cigars.

Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge

The walk-in humidor will make a cigar lover weep.

’You’ll want a cigar. Really, you must. If you enter the humidor, you will get a proper tour of the family’s eponymous cigars, from the lighter variety to the dark powers of the “Robusto”. Don’t be intimidated. The staff knows their cigars, and they love initiating people to the art of a good cigar.

Casa Fuente‘s experts are more than happy to guide people to the right smoke for them. They have that knack of making you feel more sophisticated than you actually are. I often linger a for a few minutes, exploring the various cigars and asking questions…just to appreciate the craft that goes into producing them.

Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge

Once you’ve chosen your cigar, let the pros cut it for you, light it for you, and steer you to a seat. Seated, you see, because you deserve a cocktail to go with that cigar. And it really must be one of their signature mojitos.

I’ve never had a mojito at Casa Fuente that was any less than excellent.  What I love about Casa Fuente‘s mojitos is the balance. There is never a drink that is too sweet, too bitter, or even dominated by one ingredient. A good bartender values balance…and never lets you fall. And these folks are great bartenders.

A Classic Mojito with fresh mint and lime will serve you just fine. Tangerine Mojitos can be a recipe for sweetness in a lesser barkeep’’s charge. But at C.S., a float of Mandarine Napoleon gives their Tangerine Mojito a bitterness that rounds out the flavor. “Carlito’’s Way”, no doubt named after the proprietor, plays vanilla and coffee off each other.

Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge

For my Vegas trips, only the “Hemingway’’s Epitaph” will do. Ginger beer, rum and bitters make for a bracing first sip, but it stays drinkable the whole way through. You can sit on the patio, drinking a cocktail named after Papa (Hemingway) himself, while smoking your cigar. What a perfect time to reflect upon the fact that you are here, and many are not. You will feel good and wise indeed. Death In The Afternoon? Hardly, but you may find that the afternoon disappears quickly on you.

Hemingway

Hemingway’s own cocktail (right)

I always save my visit to Casa Fuente for the midway point of my trip, because it’s a quiet experience that I find refreshing. Many Vegas fans praise the spa day, and if that’s your thing, good for you. But if the ladies in your group are considering a spa day, I urge guys to let them go and try the following ritual instead:

1. Visit The Art Of Shaving in the Venetian and have a proper straight razor shave.
2. Hit Casa Fuente and have a cigar and a mojito. Or two.
3. Bet on a game and watch it.

I guarantee you that this will be a restorative to value.

One time I had a good run at the Paris blackjack table and used the winnings to splurge on a fancy torch lighter from Casa Fuente. It still evokes a feeling of the place for me. I’m instantly relaxed when I bring that lighter out at home for my monthly cigar.

If Hemingway had been a Vegas fan, he’d have insisted that you visit Casa Fuente. “Papa” knows best.

Casa Fuente is located inside Caesars Palace Forum Shops. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 10am-11pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-midnight. Call 702.731.5051 for more information.

Images: [Casa Fuente via Facebook, Ben Y. & Sandra M. via Yelp!]

4 thoughts on “Casa Fuente Cigar Lounge – A “Day Spa” For Guys

  1. Great post, we’ve visited repeatedly. You can’t go wrong. Great idea about going to Art of Shaving (Venetian) and getting a straight razor shave, I’ve been there three times. The most recent as a “Groomsman’s Gift” to my…well…groomsmen, for my Vegas wedding! The guys loved it.

    One note of caution: If you treat yourself (treat yo’self) to a butane lighter from Casa Fuente, because about TSA when you fly home. A colleague of mine had TSA take it (well, offer to let me take it back to his car, but no time to do so, as such: Donated!) when in a carry-on bag and other colleague have it removed from his checked luggage. Butane and airplanes (elevation pressure and all that) don’t mix. I’d hate to have something spend $40+ on a nice lighter, only to have it taken from you at the airport.

    That all being said, the service is top notch and I couldn’t agree more that the bar service is second to none. I’m *very* impressed by the bartenders. They’ve always been fun, engaging…but not TOO engaging (hate a chatterbox ‘tender). The drinks are as good as The Laundry Room, Downtown Cocktail Room, but they’re right there in the Forum Shops! And to be able to enjoy a fine quality cigar, to boot? Come on, it’s a no brainer.

    And for those ladies (like my wife) who consider an hour or two at Casa Fuente a better way to spend your Vegas winnings versus shopping spree, don’t worry! You’re welcome too and will find a fair number of women enjoying a cigar & cocktail. So come one, come all!

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