Cigar lockers turn regulars into members. A member who keeps cigars at your lounge comes back to smoke them, buys the next box from you, and pays you every month for the privilege. This guide shows what lounges really charge for a locker, how quickly a locker cabinet pays for itself, and what members expect in return, with the numbers worked out for the two locker cabinets we sell.
What lounges charge for a cigar locker
Locker prices vary more than most new owners expect. We collected published lounge prices and what members say they pay on cigar forums. The middle of the market sits between $25 and $80 a month.
| Type of lounge | Typical locker price | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Cigar shop with a lounge | $25–$80 a month, or about $150–$850 a year | Members report $60–$80 a month (r/cigars), and $450 a year small or $850 a year large (r/cigars) |
| Membership lounge | A monthly membership plus a locker fee | $25 a month for the locker on top of an $85 membership (r/cigar); SMōK lists $180 a month |
| Premium or brand lounge | $1,500–$2,000 a year | $1,500 a year for the locker (r/cigars); BURN by Rocky Patel charges $2,000 for the first year |
| Private club | $1,200–$4,800 a year | $4,800 a year with a private-club locker (r/cigars) |
At the low end, one owner planning a small unstaffed lounge floated $9 a month, and other owners replied that a locker is what makes a no-retail lounge work at all (pokerchipforum).
What decides your locker price
- Your local market. City lounges with a waiting list charge more than a shop in a small town. Call or visit the two or three lounges nearest you before you set a number.
- Locker size. Many lounges price small and large lockers separately. A locker that fits a full box, or a bottle, is worth more to a member.
- What comes with it. Lockers are often the anchor of a membership: lounge access, member events, a box discount or a guest pass. The locker fee is easier to raise when it's part of a package.
- Demand. A waiting list is your signal to raise prices on the next renewal.
How fast does a locker cabinet pay for itself?
Here's the payback math for the two locker cabinets we sell, including a Hydra Turbo humidifier, which the manufacturer recommends for lockers. Prices are ours today and include free freight delivery. "Rented" is the share of member lockers that are paid for.
14-locker cabinet: 12 member lockers (about $4,490 with the humidifier)
| Locker price | 50% rented | 75% rented | 100% rented |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 a month | 30 months | 20 months | 15 months |
| $50 a month | 15 months | 10 months | 7 months |
| $80 a month | 9 months | 6 months | 5 months |
The two large base sections are kept for house stock in this calculation.
29-locker cabinet: 28 member lockers (about $6,990 with the humidifier)
| Locker price | 50% rented | 75% rented | 100% rented |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25 a month | 20 months | 13 months | 10 months |
| $50 a month | 10 months | 7 months | 5 months |
| $80 a month | 6 months | 4 months | 3 months |
That's before you count the cigars members buy because their locker is at your lounge. A full 14-locker cabinet at $50 a month brings in $7,200 a year from the 12 member lockers; a full 29-locker brings in $16,800.
14 lockers or 29?
| 14-locker cabinet | 29-locker cabinet | |
|---|---|---|
| Member lockers | 12 locking sections plus 2 large base sections | 28 locking sections plus 1 double compartment for the humidifier |
| Size (W x D x H) | 38" x 18" x 76" | 62½" x 18" x 79⅖" |
| Capacity | About 5,000 cigars | About 8,500 cigars |
| Keys | 14 keys plus a master key | 29 keys plus a master key |
| Best for | A shop lounge, or testing demand | An established lounge with a waiting list, or a private club |
- Start with the 14 if you're adding lockers for the first time. Many lounges add a second cabinet once the first one fills; choosing the same finish keeps the wall consistent.
- Go straight to the 29 if members are already asking for lockers. You get more than twice the lockers for about 1.6 times the wall width.
Compare every model in our cigar lockers collection.
What members expect from a locker
A widely watched video asking whether cigar shop lockers are "a scam" comes down to a few worries: will my cigars stay in good shape, and can I get to them? Forum members asking their clubs to install lockers say the same thing (FOH forum). Meet these expectations and lockers sell themselves:
- Stable humidity. Members' biggest worry is that their cigars will dry out. An electronic humidifier and a hygrometer they can see reassure them.
- Clear access hours. Say when members can reach their locker, and who holds the master key.
- Their name on it. An engraving plate on each door makes the locker feel like theirs.
- A written agreement. Price, term, what happens at renewal or when the term ends, and that cigars are stored at the member's own risk.
Keeping the humidity right
A locker cabinet is opened far more often than a home humidor, so humidity drops each time a door opens. The locker cabinets don't include humidification. The manufacturer recommends the Hydra Turbo, which uses a 107 CFM fan to push humidified air through the cabinet.
- Place the humidifier in the compartment made for it, and check a hygrometer reading weekly.
- Season the Spanish cedar before members move in, so the wood doesn't pull moisture out of their first cigars.
- If you'd rather buy one package, our Cigar Locker Starter Package pairs the 14-locker cabinet with a Hydra LG.
Monthly, yearly or part of a membership?
How you bill matters as much as the price. These are the three models lounges use most:
| Model | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | A card on file, billed each month | New programs; members can try it without a big commitment | More cancellations, and more admin if you bill by hand |
| Yearly | One payment for 12 months, often at a discount | Steady regulars; cash up front to pay for the cabinet | A higher upfront ask; set clear renewal dates |
| Part of a membership | The locker comes with lounge access, events or discounts | Lounges that don't rely on retail sales; private clubs | Harder to compare, so spell out what's included |
A common setup is a monthly price with a yearly option at about two months free. For example, $50 a month or $500 a year. Members who pay yearly rarely leave mid-term, and the first few yearly payments cover a good share of the cabinet.
Mistakes to avoid
- No humidifier on day one. One dried-out box is enough to lose a member and their friends. Install and test the humidifier before you rent the first locker.
- Underpricing to fill fast. Raising prices on existing members is hard. Start at the local rate and use a waiting list.
- Losing track of keys. Log which key goes to which member, keep the master key secure, and charge a fee for lost keys.
- No end-of-term rule. Decide what happens to cigars left behind when a member doesn't renew, and put it in the agreement.
Setting up your locker program
- Count your demand. List the regulars who've asked for a locker, then add about 30% for growth.
- Check the space. Measure the wall, doorways and the route in. The 14-locker ships at about 300 lb by freight with liftgate delivery, so plan for two or more people to move it.
- Set your price. Start at your local going rate, and decide whether lockers come with a membership.
- Write the agreement. Term, renewal, access, key policy and storage risk. Have a local attorney review it.
- Keep a waiting list. When the cabinet fills, raise prices at renewal or add a second cabinet.
Frequently asked questions
Do lockers need their own humidifier?
Yes. The cabinets don't include humidification; the manufacturer recommends a Hydra Turbo. Our Locker Starter Package bundles the 14-locker with a Hydra LG.
Will a box of cigars fit in one locker?
Each locker in the 14-locker cabinet is about 11" W x 12" D x 11⅝" H inside, which fits most boxes. The 29-locker's lockers are 12" tall and fit most common spirit bottles.
How are the cabinets delivered?
By freight with liftgate delivery, free. The carrier calls to book a delivery time.
Is a locker program worth it for a small shop?
Usually, yes. Even at $25 a month, a 14-locker cabinet pays for itself in under two years at 75% occupancy, and members visit more often.
Can you help plan a locker wall?
Yes. Call (985) 531-8513 with your wall size and how many members you have, and we'll recommend a setup and check delivery to your ZIP.
Price ranges compiled from published lounge prices and member reports on Reddit and cigar forums, October 2026. Payback figures are estimates at CubanVault prices and exclude tax, financing and running costs. This guide is not legal advice.
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