Casa Fuente In Las Vegas Closing Its Doors
Time is running out for cigar fans hoping to light up at Casa Fuente in Las Vegas. The Fuente-centric cigar bar, located at the Forum Shops of Caesars Palace, will be shuttering on October 19. According to managing partner Michael Frey, changes in smoking policy regarding the outer “patio” area prompted the decision to not renew the lease.
When Casa Fuente opened in 2005, it became an instant destination for cigar lovers, especially those who had an affinity for cigars made by Arturo Fuente in the Dominican Republic. The shop features exclusive blends and unique sizes found only in Las Vegas. At the time, patrons were allowed to smoke inside the cigar bar as well as within a roped-off “patio” area outside the entrance. Because Casa Fuente is located inside the Forum Shops (an indoor shopping mall), smoke often permeates the upscale galleria, causing perpetual friction with property management. Patio smoking was eventually prohibited, which meant the loss of around 65 seats and an inevitable decline in revenue.
“The lease is expiring and with the change in policy regarding smoking on the patio, it didn’t make sense to stay,” Frey says. “It was an incredible 20 years. It was a joy to meet and befriend so many wonderful patrons from all over the world while providing them with a welcoming experience where they could enjoy a fine cigar and cocktail.”
Carlos Fuente Jr., partner in Casa Fuente and owner of Arturo Fuente Cigar Co., echoes Frey’s sentiment. “It breaks my heart that it’s closing,” he tells Cigar Aficionado, “but being able to meet all those people from around the world, those were some of the happiest years of my life.”
If you manage to make it to Casa Fuente before it closes, some of the rare cigars include the Casa Fuente line (a series made exclusively for this cigar bar), and unusual sizes such as the BBMF, LBMF and Chili Pepper in the Fuente Fuente OpusX and ForbiddenX blends. The lounge humidor also stocks plenty of cigars from J.C. Newman and Ashton.
There are no immediate plans to re-open Casa Fuente in another Las Vegas location, but Fuente says he has not entirely ruled out the possibility.
