Casa de Montecristo in Brickell, Miami | Cigar Friendly: Florida

In June 2016, six years after Ryan Leeds and Jason Reznik opened Prime Cigar & Wine Bar in Boca Raton, Florida, they added a second location, situated among the skyscrapers in downtown Miami’s Brickell neighborhood. This time it’s in collaboration with Casa de Montecristo.

“We wanted to team up with a brand that represents quality,” Leeds says. “We get faster access to their new releases and we’ve also created our own line of cigars with them, the Brickell series.” According to Leeds, the Boca Raton location was created as a “high level escape from the noise of South Florida.” The Miami lounge serves the same purpose.

Ryan Leeds and Jason Reznik, owners of Casa de Montecristo in Brickell, Miami | Photo: Simon Lundh

“In the beginning it was self-serving,” Reznik says. “We didn’t want to have to go out to a loud place at night. Then I had friends in Boca Raton who asked us to recommend a place like ours in Miami, and we realized we couldn’t.”

That conversation inspired the duo to open a second lounge in Miami, one that would embody their brand of “sophisticated relaxation.” The lower level features an outdoor serving area and a coffee bar with a small liquor assortment. The second level has a large seating area, flanked by a humidor on one side and a long bar on the other. In the back, there is a semi-private member area and a conference room.

A highly efficient ventilation system and an ozone-generated closet keep your clothes fresh, and a selection of over 200 whiskeys behind the bar keeps your taste buds happy in a lounge that isn’t quiet all the time. “This is a Manhattan-style lounge with a Miami twist,” Reznik says. “Every Friday and Saturday we have live bands.” “After all, we’re in a touristy city known for its nightlife, so when the laptops shut down …” Leeds adds. “But you can always have a conversation. It’s a nightlife party vibe without the noise.”