A Night Out With the Della Pella's
- May 16
- 4 min read
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
A Night Out With the Della Pella's — His & Hers
There are friends who make plans, and then there are friends who make memories. Dean and Stacie Della Pella fall squarely into the second category — a dynamic duo whose social calendar stays so full it practically needs its own assistant. When our schedules finally align, it feels like winning a tiny lottery.
For the past year, they’ve been our unofficial guides to the bougie side of Huntsville — the elevated eats, the craft cocktails, the hidden gems. These are the same people who recently went to Nashville to see the Eagles and casually ran into Joe Walsh at their bougie hotel. That’s the Della Pella energy.
So when they heard we were continuing our journey into the cigar world, they didn’t hesitate to recommend Studio 16 Cigar Lounge in Downtown Athens. Dinner first at Li’l Mazzara’s, cigars second — the perfect plan for a night out with two of our favorite people.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Her Take
We walked into Li’l Mazzara’s and spotted Dean and Stacie already seated, looking perfectly at home and radiating that “the night is about to get good” energy they always bring. Even though it hadn’t been that long since we last saw them, it somehow felt like ages. That’s the thing about people you genuinely enjoy — time stretches between visits.
We settled in with drinks and appetizers, catching up on life, laughing, swapping stories. I kept thinking how easy their company is — warm, familiar, and always fun. Dinner was delicious, and dessert tried to tempt us, but we had bigger plans waiting at the cigar lounge.
The walk through Downtown Athens felt like stepping into a modern-day Mayberry. We passed the Athens Community Night event where families were watching Zootopia outdoors — kids in lawn chairs, parents with blankets, the whole scene glowing under the streetlights. It was sweet in that small-town-America way that makes you smile without trying.
Studio 16 was just a few blocks away, and when we stepped inside, I loved the vibe immediately — humidor to the right, bar to the left, lounge seating stretching back like a long, cozy exhale. Serena helped us pick our cigars, and we all chose the Deadwood Sweet Jane by Drew Estate. Jeff grabbed water since he was driving, and I ordered an Island Whisper cocktail that tasted like a tropical daydream.
We settled into the back lounge, and even though Stacie didn’t smoke, she sat with us, happy and glowing in that way she does when she’s surrounded by good company. The three of us lit up our Sweet Janes, and the room filled with that warm, sweet aroma that makes time slow down.
And then — the laughter. The stories. The kind of conversation that makes hours disappear.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
His Take
Walking into Li’l Mazzara’s and seeing the Della Pella's already settled at the table felt like the perfect start to the night. They’re the kind of couple who make any evening better just by being there. We slid into our seats, ordered drinks, and immediately fell into that easy rhythm of conversation that always picks up right where we left off.
Leaving the restaurant, we walked a couple of blocks toward Studio 16, a small cigar lounge tucked just off the Athens square. The whole scene felt like stepping straight into a small‑town postcard—lawn chairs, blankets, coolers, food trucks, and strollers scattered across the courthouse lawn as families settled in to watch Zootopia on the big screen. It was Athens at its most charming: family‑friendly, relaxed, and completely alive. Growing up in a small town myself, it hit a nostalgic note, reminding me of the community nights we used to have on our own courthouse square.
Studio 16 was a solid recommendation. The humidor was impressive, the bar well-stocked, and the atmosphere relaxed. Serena helped us pick out cigars, and we all landed on the Deadwood Sweet Jane — a sweet, flavorful smoke that fit the night perfectly. I stuck with water since I was driving, but honestly, the vibe didn’t need anything more.
We settled into the back lounge, lit up, and the conversation took off. Stacie didn’t smoke, but she was right there with us, laughing and adding to the stories. That’s the thing about the Della Pella's — they bring energy, humor, and warmth everywhere they go.
Before long, it was late. The kind of late that sneaks up on you when you’re having a genuinely good time. We wrapped up, thanked them for the night, and agreed that the next outing needs to happen sooner rather than later.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
The Good Life Wrap‑Up
Nights like this remind us why we say yes to good friends, good food, and new experiences. Dean and Stacie have a way of turning an ordinary Friday into a story worth retelling — the kind of evening that blends laughter, discovery, and that easy comfort you only get with people who feel like home.
From the cozy charm of Downtown Athens to the sweet haze of our Sweet Janes at Studio 16, the whole night felt like a reminder that the best moments aren’t complicated. They’re shared.
Here’s to the Della Pella's — to aligned calendars, to more bougie adventures, and to the next night out that will no doubt be just as unforgettable as this one.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age.
Disclaimer: Cigar smoking and drinking alcohol are for adults of legal smoking and drinking age. Life’s Rants promotes the responsible and legal enjoyment of premium cigars and alcohol by individuals of legal age. We do not endorse or encourage smoking or drinking among minors.
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