Over the past few years, if you’ve been following my adventures on this blog, you’ll know that I’ve been trying to visit as many different cigar sampling lounges and terraces across London and beyond. I’m really getting about – and it’s costing me a bleeding fortune 🙈😬, but at the moment, it’s a lot of fun! I’m having lots of awesome experiences and meeting lots of incredible folk along the way in this crazy hobby of mine.
Anyways, while I’ve been on the hunt for all of these different cigar lounges and terraces, I’ve of course heard about these private members’ clubs with cigar sampling lounges. A couple that come to mind from conversations I’ve had with a few folk and a quick google search include some of the very best private members clubs out there:
- Annabels
- Birley Cigars
- Century Club
- Mark’s Club
- Monty Club
- Oscuro at The Arts
- Smoking Room at The East India Club
- Soho Whisky Club – see my blog post
- Ten Trinity Square
- Upstairs at the Langans – see my blog post
There are of course others and I’ve even heard of secret cigar lounges out there too. Where those are I have no idea! (Drop me a DM if you do 😉😀).
So, whats the story behind these places? In the past, private members’ clubs were exclusive to wealthy, high-society men. Gentlemen’s clubs originated around the 17th century in London, mainly in the areas of St. James and Pall Mall.
However, over time, these clubs have become more inclusive and now admit women as well. These clubs provide exclusive spaces where you can have drinks and dinner with like-minded members. While not all clubs offer co-working spaces, many do, and some also have amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, or rooftop bars. Members can also access bedrooms, effectively using the club as a home away from home. Additionally, nearly all clubs organise events tailored to their members.
A lot of these clubs have strict applications and requirements for membership. Having heaps of cash helps – but even then, membership usually requires a recommendation. You can get in if you know the right people, have a brilliant mate who’ll sneak you in as a guest. And, of course, if you’re a celeb or politician, the doors might just magically swing open for you too!
If you’re like me and a little nosey, you’d jump at the chance to have a look around some of these places.
I’ve had the chance to visit some of these places before. Most recently, I was able to visit Ten Trinity Square as a guest of a member.
Background
Ten Trinity Square Private Club is located within one of London’s iconic historical landmarks, the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority. The PLA is now based elsewhere in the City of London and at Gravesend. The club has been open since 2017 and is the result of a partnership between Reignwood, Château Latour, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
The Club offers luxurious yet intimate rooms, perfect for relaxation and enjoying high-quality cultural and culinary experiences away from the hustle of city life. Reflecting the building’s history as a hub for London’s trade, leaders and influential figures from various industries gather here to exchange ideas and build relationships.
The Cigar Shop and Sampling Lounge at Ten Trinity Square is a luxurious and relaxed space for sampling cigars.
This space is designated for exclusive monthly cigar events for members. Past events have included Cuban cigar rolling masterclasses, celebrating Winston Churchill’s 150th birthday with a cigar in his honor, and Macallan whisky tasting paired with cigars.
The club’s intimate Cigar Shop and Sampling Lounge offers members an exceptional collection of cigars, including rare vintage Havanas, Montecristos, and Cohibas.
Staff will help members explore the rich traditions of handcrafted cigars, as well as a wide selection of cognac and whisky, and provide guidance on classic or innovative pairings.
You can find a variety of cigars and their prices on the cigar menu.
My experience
I’ve been aware of this building for quite a while. It’s located near Fenchurch Street and Tower Hill, the entry point into London from Essex, where I grew up. Despite passing it many times, I never really knew its purpose or who it served. Until now of course!
It is also located near the Tower of London.
In front of Ten Trinity Square Private Club is a green space called Trinity Square Gardens, where I believe hangings once took place 😲, and there’s an execution memorial on the site.
The building is grand! It’s absolutely massive, and when you walk in, you feel like you’re entering a palace.
I approached the reception desk to inform them that I was the guest of someone.
They directed me to the lift to take me upstairs to the cigar lounge, where I found the member I was lucky enough to be a guest with. I was given a tour of the surrounding rooms, which are truly special and have the wow factor – perfect for relaxing and having conversations. We enjoyed some food and drinks before heading into the cigar shop and sampling lounge.
Upon entering the cigar shop, I was immediately greeted by a couple of humidor cabinets with a selection of special cigars. Several of them caught my eye.
After choosing a cigar, I entered the sampling lounge. Although it was slightly smaller than I expected from the photos, the space exuded elegance with its rich leather seats, wooden floors, and walls adorned with wooden panels. The display of numerous cigar books added an intellectual touch to the ambiance.
There are approximately 20 seats, including some positioned around the edges of the room. Upon our arrival, a few cigar enthusiasts were already relaxing with their cigars.
I really enjoyed the “press for service” button. It allows the staff to leave you alone and relax with your cigar, making you feel like you’re in your own living room.
We spent the next couple of hours engaging in great conversation while relaxing with cigars. It was a perfect evening shared with fantastic company!
I sampled the Number 11 Toro cigar, which is supposed to taste even better when paired with this rum. The tobacco used in these cigars is from Costa Rica. You may have heard me mention these cigars in a blog post I did a couple of months ago.
Vitola: Toro (Maduro)
Country of origin: Costa Rica , Strength: Medium
Size: 6.3 x 54 ring Guage: 54
Wrapper: Connecticut , binder: costa rica , Filler: Costa Rica
Find out more about this cigar on the Number 11 website.
My rating: 7 out of 10
I really love private members’ clubs. The hospitality in these places is exceptional. You are made to feel like you are at home. The rooms in this particular venue are amazing. I just wish our smoking laws allowed us to sample cigars in the other rooms across the building. The cigar selection was decent.
I can see why people buy memberships to these places too. To have somewhere special for work meetings, especially in our new remote ways of working, a place to dine, spa, and sample cigars is perfection.
While the cigar lounge was a little smaller than I anticipated, it was a decent space for relaxing and unwinding with a cigar. Staff leave you to it, as if it were your own living room – which I quite liked.
I had a brilliant time with the people I smoked cigars with.
I want to see and visit more! If you are a member of a private members club with a cigar sampling lounge and fancy a guest, let me know. I’d love to check it out!
Want more information?
10 Trinity Square, London EC3N 4AJ
reception@tentrinitysquare.com
Opening Hours
10am – 10pm (Monday to Friday)
For more information, visit their website, or follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Remember you need to be a member or guests to visit. For membership inquiries, visit Membership Details.
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