When you step into a place of sophistication, it’s hard not to let the risidual burn stay with you…
The Fame
Rocky Patel is a name that comes to mind when we think of elegance, class and taste. A brand that many aspire to have as an accoutrement to their personal resume of social fare. And it’s not so surprising that their flagship is in one of the most desired and upscale cities in the United States – Naples, Florida. With celebrities and well-to-do businessmen and women living in the well known Southwest Floridian metropolitan area, BURN is just one of many locations these upper crust socialites visit on the regular.
But it’s not just your run-of-the-mill hot spot. Rocky Patel’s BURN is a superbly unique and prominent establishment in the ritzier part of the already high-class city.
Opened in 2010, the mother ship has sustained it’s popularity, loyalty, and quality. As of today there are now 5 locations, with a few more on the horizon. So says, General Manager of the Naples hot spot, Cosimo Picci. Born and bred in Positano, the GM is ironically from a town only a stone’s throw away from the real Naples – in Italy.
At the moment, Rocky Patal’s gems can be found in Naples, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma City, Atlanta and even Indianapolis. Though you would imagine that a place like this would be strictly found in cities like New York or Los Angeles (maybe even somewhere in Nevada), the truth is, Rocky Patel is bringing a certain type of class to the lesser traveled parts of the country – save Naples.
Rocky
Rocky was a successful lawyer in California back in his day. According to Cosimo,
“Hanging out with Hollywood celebrities in an exclusive Cigar Lounge in Los Angeles, Rocky started his passion for the cigar industry. He eventually moved to Naples, Florida and started a small cigar production with just 5 employees. He would get on the road and drive all over the United States selling his cigars to cigar shops. 25 years later he owns 2 factories (one in Nicaragua and one in Honduras) with over 3,200 employees and he is on the top 3 list in the USA of the largest cigar production manufacturers.” All of this being a testament to the unmatched excellence and prestige that is found when stepping inside any BURN location.
The Interior Design
I must admit, that as much as I enjoyed my drinks and cigars while visiting BURN, my favorite part was the interior design. I admit that my passion on the side is décor and design, but this was truly one of the most impressive things I’ve seen to date. With a very notable nod to the traditional Indian motif, the lush, almost royal ambiance was the most enjoyable thing to take in while I was there.
The sleek designs of the countertops, the lights, and even the placement of the windows and the cacoon-like chairs were beyond spectacular. And though it’s really no surprise that Rocky himself chose these patterns, colors and schemes, it says a lot about his business sense and the efforts he has made to making his location truly special and alluring. The 3,000 square foot space also includes two covered patios, and their on site humidor. Which is quite spacious in and of itself.
Yes, indeed, the interior design is simply sexy. And that is exactly the ambiance the establishment is going for. Especially when it is accented by the female servers in scantily dressed attire – which is somehow still on a sophisticated level of dress.
One of the Boys
I did indeed have my fair share of cigars while I was at BURN, and quite enjoyed them. Though I was told I could have my choice of several different flavored cigars, which apparently women partake in usually when at Burn – I opted for a more robust and masculine bouquet. Surprisingly enough I did see more women in the joint than expected, but my original presumption is still founded – this is a gentleman’s playground. As there should be such a place. Yes, you will find women here, but there are more men lighting up and having their male bonding time.
But whether you’re a man or a woman, BURN is a perfect escape from the average restaurant, bar, or in this case, even cigar lounge. There is nothing mediocre, insignificant or unnoteworthy about BURN. It’s all fantastic and all first class – all the way.
Let it Burn
The cigars are of course the main focus of interest here, and that’s to be expected. At any given time, BURN has hundreds of cigars on offer, ranging in date, location of origin, and of course, grade.
In addition, BURN also offers discounts throughout the week.
“We offer happy hour every day from 2 PM to 7 PM with discounts on liquors and cigars. 20% off all Rocky Patel cigars, 50% off everything at the bar under $15, and 25% off everything over $15,” Cosimo explains to me, while I sit in the exclusive VIP lounge area.
Their signature cigar is also their best seller world wide. It just so happens to also be the first cigar I tried that evening, a Vintage 1999 Connecticut. While their most popular cigars, at the moment, are their Rocky Patel ALR Second Edition and Rocky Patel Sixty. The latter of which just came out, made for his 60th birthday and one of the best he has ever made – in some more experienced opinions.
There are so many cigars, and so little time. From inexpensive to the prohibitively high cost, some are not even meant to be smoked. In fact, BURN has one of the most unique selections of cigars – which is really only for the collector at heart to take home. Costing more than a pretty penny, there is a case dedicated to their vintage Cubans.
That’s right, Cubans. Before you think that’s illegal – these are actually very much copacetic. Brought in before the embargo of 1963, these cigars have been in the U.S. since before Kennedy made one of the most famous decisions that lasted 46 years. And yes, they look amazing, and while I’m not a cigar connoisseur, I want them.
With some of these cigars being as old as 70 or 80 years in age, there’s no way you could pass up the opportunity to bring some of these into your ultimate cigar smoking collection.
The prices for their variety of cigars is all over the map. The average cost is $12. The cheapest is $6.50, while the most expensive is $500. The two I had the opportunity to try were in the neighborhood of $20 each, and both were absolutely phenomenal. Though I did go home with two others I have yet to try, I have no doubt they will not disappoint – considering one of them happens to be one of their two best sellers.
The Drinks
Cosimo shares with me that,
“We have a great specialty cocktail list with around 20 handcrafted cocktails and the best whiskey list in Southwest Florida (over 450 total items and over 130 items just between scotch, whiskey and bourbon). Our most popular drink is the Espresso Martini, and our signature drink is the Woodford Barrel Aged Old Fashioned.”
This last drink just happens to be one that I had while visiting BURN. The quality of the drink was perfectly executed, while the flavors and style were in absolute harmony with the first cigar – the Rocky Patel 1999 Conneticut. When asked what makes Rocky Patel’s BURN so unique, Cosimo tells me,
“I think that our atmosphere is very unique. We are an elegant Cigar Lounge with a great chilled vibe during the day that turns into a way more lively environment at night, with live music 5 days a week and a DJ every night.” It’s no wonder they won the Best Cigar Lounge award in 2014 in “Cigar Journal”.
BURNED
Finally, BURN is more than just a fancy cigar lounge. It’s a retreat from the mundane, the average and the inconsequential. With opportunities to join the VIP membership, try some world class cigars, and mingle with the more influential types that reside in Naples and beyond, it’s a place to seek refuge in an ever increasingly unclassy world. BURN allows you to dress up, and not feel isolated. It allows you to hob nob, and not feel stuffy about it. But most importantly, BURN lets you smoke in a public place and not get thrown out.
So what are you waiting for? You know you want to visit this upscale cigar lounge in the heart of Naples, Florida. Just make sure that when you do, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
Get Lost with Lisa 