express

Match owners Jeff and Sara Mouttet.

Mouttets open cigar bar in New Albany

PHOTOS BY STEVE SQUALL

Nearly five years after opening Match Cigar Bar in Jeffersonville, Jeff and Sara Mouttet have opened Match New Albany at 147 E. Main St.

“ We found the perfect location close to many wonderful restaurants and shops,” said Jeff Mouttet.“ We feel Match will bring yet another reason to visit Southern Indiana.”

Upscale yet approachable, Match is housed in a building that dates to the 1870s and features exposed bricks and original hardwood floors. The speakeasy-style boutique cigar and bourbon bar offers specialty cocktails and artisan and local spirits, beer and wine. Food is available from Urban Bread Company, which is located next door.

“ For Match New Albany, we wanted to integrate everything we’ ve done in Jeffersonville at Riverside Cigar Shop and Lounge and Match Cigar Bar,” Jeff explained.“ We have a great bourbon selection and the ability to smoke a premium cigar. … Our people are very knowledgeable about either bourbon or cigars, and we want you to feel like you can ask questions and it’ s a place where you can learn.”

Not exactly an aficionado? That’ s just fine, said Jeff.“ One of the great things about the cigarbourbon culture, people are so friendly and nobody looks down on you if you do it this way or you do it that way. … Match is a nice, upscale welcoming place to be.”

And that means for the ladies, too.

“ A lot of the macho has been taken out of it,” said Sara,“ and I think this space signifies that. It’ s not all just a manly guy club anymore. It’ s definitely fun for the ladies as well because it’ s really all about relaxing and enjoying the experience with who you’ re with, whether that’ s women or men.”

94 EXTOL • AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017