News

On Thursday, October 15, over 50 members and guests filled the club for Columbus Day & Italian Night, a true night with "family." Club President-Elect Jim Contreras opened the evening with a few words of welcome, and then it was time to eat.

The star of the night was the amazing food from Bella Italia Restaurant & Catering. The buffet kept coming: cold antipasto and seafood salad, clams oreganata and mussels marinara, hot peppers and potatoes, sausage and peppers, sliced black Angus steak and giambotta, with pastries and fruit to finish.

We were also honored to welcome Lou Cross, founder and owner of Lure Cigars, on his first visit to New Jersey. As an Italian American, Lou found Columbus Day the perfect occasion to showcase his cigars, and every attendee received two premium Lure cigars. They were very well received and enjoyed by members and guests alike.

The night held a special moment, too. John Cito, a founding member of the Metro, our longest-serving board member and our 50/50 specialist, worked the 50/50 one last time before retiring from the board. John, thank you for more than 30 years of unselfish service. Grazie!

Finally, a big thank-you to Dave Massoni, who put the whole event together and made sure everything ran smoothly. It was an overwhelming success, and we're already looking forward to our next "Bella Italia" night!

View the Columbus Day & Italian Night photo album →

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for this year's annual picnic at Lincoln Park Community Lake. Our old friend Smokin' Joe's fired up the smoker and kept the plates full all afternoon with wings, smoked brisket, smoked shrimp, burgers, five-cheese mac and cheese and smoked corn on the cob. To top it off, everyone enjoyed the prestigious (and normally pricey) Cohiba brand: the Cohiba Connecticut Toro and the Cohiba Riviera Toro. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a great day. We'll see you next year!

View the 2026 Picnic photo album →

In the Northern New Jersey Fall 2026 issue of Dining Out Jersey, Will Kubofcik (@TheCigarCritic) tells Metro's story in his Cigar Critic column, from the 13 men who first gathered at a restaurant in July 1994 to the clubhouse members built themselves in Fairfield.

The piece covers the club's move after New Jersey's 2006 indoor smoking law, the walk-in humidor and lockers, the memorabilia on our walls, monthly dinners, golf outings and our ties to clubs around the country. As the column puts it: “It's not just a cigar, it's a connection. It's more than a smoke, it's an experience.”

Publication: Dining Out Jersey, The Lifestyle Magazine with Good Taste
Issue: Northern New Jersey, Fall 2026
Page: 76, “Cigar Critic”
Writer: Will Kubofcik (@TheCigarCritic)

Read the digital copy →

Visit DiningOutJersey.com →

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In its Autumn 2019 edition, Cigar Journal profiled The Metropolitan Society and some of its history. The issue's cover story featured Frederik Vandermarliere, CEO of J. Cortes and owner of Oliva Cigars. Missed it? Back issues are available from Cigar Journal.

Order a back issue →

In 2019, The Metropolitan Society turned 25, and we celebrated the way Metro does best: with good food, good cigars and good company. Members gathered for a members-only BBQ at the Lincoln Park Lake Center, with entertainment, games and club memorabilia. The same year, Cigar Journal recognized the club in its Autumn edition.

View the 25th Anniversary photo album →