Monona cigar lounge, cocktail bar to open larger Waunakee location

Jason and Jessica Smith, owners since 2017 of cigar lounge and cocktail bar the Tasting Room in Monona, are looking to open a second, larger location in Waunakee by 2024, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

The business, located at 800 W. Broadway No. 100, has operated at various spots throughout Monona since 1995. The current space has 3,500 square feet of lounge space and 16 employees. It also contains a system that pumps fresh air into the lounge every four minutes to maintain air quality.

The Waunakee location will feature a similar HVAC system and have around 7,000 square feet of space. It will also feature a patio with tables and fire pits as well as an indoor golf simulator. Menu items will likely include tapas, and there will be an expanded selection of cigar products and lockers in which patrons can keep them.

The owners hope to break ground within the next one to two months.