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“PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK
WHY I CHOSE THIS ODD
LOCATION AND I TELL
THEM, ‘IT CHOSE ME.’”
IT STARTS WITH A
Amar M. Patel has turned a small cigar shop
into a hangout worth playing hooky for
BY DAVID TYDA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS LOOMIS “IT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH A CLICHÉ, million later, the coolest lounge in
but it’s all about customer service,” Phoenix was created. Walk through
says Amar M. Patel, the 29-year- the non-descript door to the left of
old owner of Magnum’s Cigars in the shop’s entrance and you will
North Phoenix. Before you read any step into the Magnum’s lounge, or,
further, know this: there are two out of reality and into something
misleading parts of this opening much, much cooler.
sentence. One—by customer A bar-to-ceiling wall of fine liquor
service, Patel means more than lights most of the room, which is
being friendly; he’s talking about filled with about four high-tops, two
creating a seamless “lifestyle poker tables, a couple leather sofas,
experience” that can last anywhere and the 10-seat, granite-topped bar.
from five minutes to five hours. Three flat-screens play live concerts
Two—cigars only tell a fraction (think Clapton, B.B. King) unless
of the story of what goes on it’s game-time. Surround sound
at Magnum’s. speakers make it feel more like your
A few years ago, Patel and own living room. Hell, you can even
his father purchased a fledgling smoke cigarettes.
cigarette shop at 7th Street and “If 51 percent of a business’
Union Hills and grew the business sales come from tobacco, smoking
in the old-fashioned way—getting is legal on premises,” says Patel
to know the customers. Eventually, with a wink. One thing Patel doesn’t
they added cigars to the inventory. wink about: his air filtration system.
“Our humidor was a joke, it was If it’s possible to walk out of a cigar
50 square feet,” Patel recalls with a lounge without smelling like smoke,
Opposite: Amar M. Patel. smile. “Two people couldn’t stand it’s possible at Magnum’s.
Above: Magnum’s signature in it at the same time!” The drink menu is so long it
drink is a mix of Hennessy
X.O and macadamia nut When he was ready to expand, takes up two leather-bound
liquor, set atop a glass he spotted a diner across the volumes. Name a bottle, it’s on the
of steamed water for five strip mall and made an offer on list. Although members have access
minutes. After the spirits
the space. Patel says, “The night to a private room with an X-Box and
have marinated, the drink is
set on fire then transferred after we signed the deal, hammers larger television, there’s a waiting
to the water glass (after the started swinging,” and so began list about two-dozen people deep
water’s been poured out) so the journey towards what is today at the time of this writing. But if
the serving glass is warm
but not fire-hot. Magnum’s Cigars, Wine, and Spirits anyone, member or non-member,
shop, complete with a 550-square- gets hungry in between Gurkha’s
foot humidor, four aisles of wine, and Macallan’s, just phone in an
Magnum’s, 731 E. Union Hills Drive
www.magnumcigarwineliquor.com
hundreds of beers, and virtually order for sushi or pizza or subs and
every premium spirit on the market. Magnum’s will plate it up.
Phoenix, AZ, 602.493.8977
The regulars knew two things: When you stop in, have a smoke
they could always find what with Patel and get the rest of the
they wanted and the staff would story. He’ll likely be wearing a
remember every detail, down traditional Cuban guayabera shirt
to your comments on the last and Panama hat. And if you ask him
cigar you smoked there. Still, the what makes Magnum’s so special,
experience wasn’t up to Patel’s par. his answer will be “the whole
So in the adjacent space, hammers lifestyle experience.” That, and the
started swinging again and about $1 customer service.
