The days of smoking indoors are far behind us and even the last bastion of the tobacco industry, Asia, is bowing to pressure and the risks of passive smoking. Such a shame when such beautiful venues for the dying art exist. Soon enough speakeasies will become “smokeasies” with roulette wheels at the ready to be revealed when raided by the cops: “No, officer, no one has been smoking in here. Just a spot of illegal gambling, that’s all.”
One such example is Bangkok’s Dude Cigar Bar. Located on Sukhumvit Road, it is constructed from a façade of red brick, with accompanying masculine materials of teak and steel. Designed by Studiomake, but its name “refers not only to the character of its clientele but is also a play on the Thai word ดูด. “Duut” meaning to suck on an object”. Get your mind above your navel—we’re talking about cigars.
Published on 2 September 2011 by Agony Uncle