My Experience at Aromas Cigar, Wine & Martini Bar -- StogieFest 2026…read moreI attended StogieFest 2026 at Aromas Cigar, Wine & Martini Bar in Jacksonville for the very first time, looking forward to enjoying a relaxing evening with great cigars, drinks, and conversation. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a pleasant event turned into a truly frightening experience.
While sitting at a table with three ladies, an unidentified man -- who I later learned is believed to be one of the owners or managers -- suddenly and aggressively flipped the open chair next to me, shoving the table hard enough to almost tip it over. Our drinks and handbags nearly went flying. Everyone at our table was visibly startled and shaken.
Instinctively, I stood and asked, "Hey, why did you do that? Who is this guy?" Instead of responding, he became even more aggressive and began moving toward me as if he intended to attack. It took three security personnel to physically restrain him, and even they struggled to hold him back.
Once he was finally removed from the area, two managers and a waitress approached our table, genuinely apologetic. They offered to pay for our drinks, urged us to stay, and assured me the situation would be handled. Several nearby patrons also expressed their concern and asked if we were okay -- everyone appeared disturbed by what they had just witnessed.
I stepped outside to calm down before returning to my table, hoping to salvage what was left of the night. But before long, the same man returned, once again appearing angry and hostile, seemingly looking for me. Security had to step in a second time to remove him.
Moments later, security personnel told me I needed to leave -- despite the fact that one of the managers (Torrence) had specifically asked me to stay and reassured me I had nothing to worry about. That manager was suddenly nowhere to be found, and security insisted I go.
Another man named Max came over, spoke politely, and apologized, asking me to take his hand and leave for my safety. At that point, I was terrified and deeply shaken.
To be absolutely clear:
* I have never met or spoken to the aggressive man (whose name, I was told, is Abe) prior to this incident.
* I overheard patrons mentioning that he had been drinking all day.
* I am not a regular at Aromas -- this was my first visit, simply to attend StogieFest and enjoy the experience.
Unfortunately, it turned into a traumatic encounter that left me feeling unsafe, humiliated, and confused. No guest should ever have to experience something like this -- especially at a professional, public event.