A luxury cigar venue at one of London’s well-known hotels has closed less than six months after opening.

The Cigar Merchant, located within the historic DUKES Hotel in St James’s, ceased operations on Friday (19th June), according to reports from customers and visitors familiar with the venue.

The business opened in December 2025 and was widely seen as a notable addition to London’s cigar scene. The intimate sampling lounge, which had capacity for 14 guests, was situated within the hotel and allowed customers to sample a cigar.

News of the closure has come as a surprise to some regular patrons. Several customers described the development as disappointing, citing the positive reception the venue received following its launch.

No official explanation for the closure has been provided. I have contacted DUKES Hotel for comment.

The webpage with details of The Cigar Merchant on the hotel’s website appears to have been removed, although no public announcement regarding the closure has been issued.

Some customers have suggested that limited marketing may have affected awareness of the venue, while others have referred to unverified rumours of complaints from nearby residents concerning cigar smoke. However, there is no evidence to confirm either claim, and neither has been cited by DUKES Hotel as a reason for the closure.

If an official statement is issued, this article will be updated.

My thoughts go out to the staff who were fabulous! Hopefully they’ll get snapped up by another cigar merchant soon.