Booooot Sale • Hundreds of Styles on Sale Now!
Launch 59.90
Sale $
Reg. $74.90
BRIAN CHILSON
Reg. $39.90 1/3 oFF
Hibiscus Sale $159.90
Aselia Sale $44.90
Goodness Sale $84.90
Tarrin-01 Sale $36.90
Reg. $194.90
SMOKING ON MAIN
Aubina 26.63
Sale $
Reg. $99.90
Buck 64.90
Sale $
Reg. $79.90 All Styles
Reg. $64.90
Reg. $54.90
Spy Sale $134.90 Reg. $154.90
Debrah-01 Sale $29.93 Reg. $44.90 1/3 oFF
Boss Sale $34.90 Reg. $49.90
Khloe 59.90
Sale $
Reg. $74.90
Etton 149.90
Sale $
Reg. $179.90
2806 Lakewood ViLLage dr., NLr 501-753-8700 9100 N rodNey Parham, Lr 501-225-6242 www.shoeconnectiononline.com
Maduro corners a niche, but seeks broad appeal. BY LINDSEY MILLAR
A
sked if the “cigar bar” name is a stigma to overcome, Michael Peace, owner and general manager of Maduro Cigar Bar & Lounge, doesn’t hesitate to say yes. “I’ve heard several times from people I meet and tell about Maduro, ‘Best of luck. I don’t know if I’ll be there.’ ” Nonetheless, he contends that Maduro is for everyone. For non-cigar smokers, the argument goes like this: The location, at 109 Main St., just west of the River Market, is prime. The atmosphere is, as Peace bills it, “classy, but relaxed.” (The name “Maduro” is supposed to convey that sense. Maduro is a type of cigar wrapper that’s been aged longer than others. “Loosely it translates into mature and ripe and aged,” Peace said. “That’s kind of the look and feel we’re going for here — sophisticated but still to where you can come in and let loose and have a good time.”) Puffy brown leather chairs (the executive’s La-Z-Boy), couches and bar chairs are everywhere. The walls are painted red, which if you put any stock in color theory, makes things livelier. Peace ranks his cocktail menu
and selection as the best or second best (behind the Capital Bar & Grill down the street) in town, and he has a strong case. He’s got it all, but Maduro does brown liquor especially well, with around 30 varieties of rum, Scotch, dark tequila and whisky. You’d be hard-pressed to find a bar with better well drinks (they’re typically the cheapest brands the bar carries) — Famous Grouse Scotch, Finlandia Vodka, Flor de Cana Rum, Four Roses Bourbon, Lunazul Tequila, New Amsterdam Gin — which he offers for $4 during daily happy hour from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The cocktail menu, nearly all of which was created by Peace, also impresses. We feared the Encantos, a drink Peace recommended made of rye whiskey, a sweet vanilla and citrus-y liqueur, sweet vermouth and a dash of cherry bitters, would taste cloyingly sweet, but it was subtle in the best way. And the smoke? “I guess it depends on the day or time you come in,” Peace said. “If you come in on a time like a Monday night or Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, you’re not going to get so much of the smoke. If you come in CONTINUED ON PAGE 33
Come Taste Why We’re One Of The Best
Best Bloody Mary
Fine Handmade Cigars From Latin America Signature Cocktails and Martinis • Full Bar Happy Hour M-F 4 - 7pm • Exceptional Liquor Flights
Best Bar • Best Wine Bar Best Martini • Best Happy Hour Best tequila selection
Lounge • Tobacco Shop • Bar • Cafe
Open MOnday-Sunday 109 Main Street (between Markham and 2nd Street across from convention center) Downtown Little Rock • 501.374.3710 • facebook.com/MaduroLounge www.arktimes.com
OCTOBER 24, 2012
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