So if you can no longer enjoy NC's does that mean you can no longer enjoy a U.S. cigar bar?

[bradbrennan]

Cigar Aficionado (I know many dislike them, greatly) recently posted a state by state guide "Where to Smoke". Unfortunately our state chased out our cigar bars, but some parts of the U.S. appear to have some pretty awesome cigar bars. Anyone have a favorite cigar lounge? And if so, assuming you can't bring your own CC's, do you still enjoy them and what do you smoke there? How about all of you in CC friendly territory, anybody have a favorite awesome cigar lounge? How about Winnipeg, my youngest daughter is going to school near there this fall, thinking it could be a good place to visit?!

[Rushman]

The ones I know well I buy one and smoke there then smoke my cc that I brought along.

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[polarbear]

There are a few US cigar bars i know of that keep a decent stock of Cubans behind the bar.

You just need to know the secret handshake ;-)

Depending on the lounges rules you can BYO provided you pay a cut fee. It make help to remove the band before you get there though.

I know one of the lounges here in Aus doesn't care if you bring your own cigars, provided you spend some money over the bar. They have great coffee there so it's nice to roll in on a Saturday morning for a cigar and expresso.

Also, if you frequent the same lounge often you may be able to become a member and rent a locker. Most places I know with lockers do not care if you stock it with your own stuff and choose to smoke out of it exclusively because you're a paid member.

I'm not the most experienced with cigar lounges but this is some of what I've experienced in my travels

[Smalls]

I haven't been to a lot of different places. However, the couple that I have been to were very accommodating as long as you bought a couple of drinks.

You can also take the band off if others around you might be offended.

[stillinger]

The ones I go to don't care if it's a CC, as long as you either pay a cut fee or do the courtesy and buy one or two for everyone you smoke. In the one closest to me, I've bought enough over the few years that I don't care that much, that and I usually give the guy working I know a stick or two here or there.

[AlohaStyle]

I'm fortunate living where I do in a State that doesn't allow cigar lounges except on Indian Reservation land... I live real close to the best lounge in the State IMO and I bring/smoke my own cuban cigars every time. As long as I buy drinks/food I'm good.

[NastyPirate]

The ones I know well I buy one and smoke there then smoke my cc that I brought along.

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+1 Why would you assume that we don't smoke Cuban's in a cigar bar? As long as you buy one of the bar's stash of NC, you generally have no problems in my experience.

[nikesupremedunk]

One of the reasons why I only go in winter when I can't smoke outside. I buy the cheapest padron i can find and throw them in my locker and pull out my CC. Most places won't notice if you buy a stick and pull out yours to smoke if you rip the band off. Obviously you can't buy a tiny cigar and whip out a DC as they'll notice that. I can't wait to have my own place to smoke someday.

[bradbrennan]

+1 Why would you assume that we don't smoke Cuban's in a cigar bar? As long as you buy one of the bar's stash of NC, you generally have no problems in my experience.

We had a decent smoking lounge that didn't care what you smoked, but one closest to me in another state is pretty strict about buying and smoking her stock. I've never been in one of the branded shops I see online, like Ashton in Philadelphia, looks awesome, but would think they would like to see you smoking an Ashton with the band on?

[bradbrennan]

There are a few US cigar bars i know of that keep a decent stock of Cubans behind the bar.

You just need to know the secret handshake ;-)

Depending on the lounges rules you can BYO provided you pay a cut fee. It make help to remove the band before you get there though.

I know one of the lounges here in Aus doesn't care if you bring your own cigars, provided you spend some money over the bar. They have great coffee there so it's nice to roll in on a Saturday morning for a cigar and expresso.

Also, if you frequent the same lounge often you may be able to become a member and rent a locker. Most places I know with lockers do not care if you stock it with your own stuff and choose to smoke out of it exclusively because you're a paid member.

I'm not the most experienced with cigar lounges but this is some of what I've experienced in my travels

Secret handshake maybe you could pm me a couple of your favorites if you don't mind

[ogus]

There is a cigar lounge per every 3 miles in Charlotte. Many serve liquor; if you buy anything including drinks then you may smoke whatever you buy or bring.

[SCgarman]

In the US, most cigar bars probably could care less if you bring a Cuban to fire up as long as you patronize their business in some way shape or form.

[Duxnutz]

There are a few US cigar bars i know of that keep a decent stock of Cubans behind the bar.

You just need to know the secret handshake ;-)

Depending on the lounges rules you can BYO provided you pay a cut fee. It make help to remove the band before you get there though.

I know one of the lounges here in Aus doesn't care if you bring your own cigars, provided you spend some money over the bar. They have great coffee there so it's nice to roll in on a Saturday morning for a cigar and expresso.

Also, if you frequent the same lounge often you may be able to become a member and rent a locker. Most places I know with lockers do not care if you stock it with your own stuff and choose to smoke out of it exclusively because you're a paid member.

I'm not the most experienced with cigar lounges but this is some of what I've experienced in my travels

Ive experienced this. Voices get low and conversations turn to how your new best friend (shop employee) can give you the line on a 'real cuban'. Providence varies from likely to be real to probably a fake. The other week I saw a guy smoking a Cohiba DC EL in a shop he'd purchased as a fathers' day treat. If that's legit I've got a chance with Scarlett Johanssen.

[canadianbeaver]

Iwan Reis, Member's lounge, pay 15, Chicago (Ask for Richard and tell him Lisa from Toronto says Hi)

Davidoff NYC, Times Square.

[dafrey23]

Iwan Reis, Member's lounge, pay 15, Chicago (Ask for Richard and tell him Lisa from Toronto says Hi)

Davidoff NYC, Times Square.

I head over to Iwan Reis in the winter quite a bit with my wife. They usually let my wife in free cause she's a lady. And they don't care if you bring your own (cigars or booze). Of course you are paying for the lounge so it's a little different that way.

[mncz]

Not too many lounges in my immediate area. I tend to hit the local B&Ms, a couple of which have humidified smoking rooms. Nobody ever bothers me no matter what I smoke; I spend money when it feels right.

[BBS]

I'm fortunate living where I do in a State that doesn't allow cigar lounges except on Indian Reservation land... I live real close to the best lounge in the State IMO and I bring/smoke my own cuban cigars every time. As long as I buy drinks/food I'm good.

Let me guess...Smoky Joe's...??

VancWA here...I know the problem and feel you pain. We've got a nice sun porch which is where I do my smoking. No cut fee here...;-)

[Laxman]

I have been to a few and always smoke my own CC's, as long as your buying drinks they do not say anything. I usually buy a NC or two and give them away to friends.

[El Presidente]

When interstate or overseas I always make it a point of buying a cigar from any establishment I am going to smoke in. I may not smoke the cigar purchased there (I often smoke the one I brought along) but the owners need to pay the rent/staff etc. If I hand out 5 cigars to friends, I buy 5 cigars.

[Habana Mike]

In cigar bars that have a cutting fee I'll typically buy a stick and then smoke my own. It's like getting a discount on the cigar.

I will also buy a stick at a shop if I am going to smoke my own there.

[Paul3]

I am fortunate to have a fantastic cigar lounge not ten minutes from home. Almost without exception I buy at least one cigar per visit though usually I smoke the cc's that I bring with me. Often dropping a few Party D4's with the owners to keep in their good graces. I don't think they would mind if I didn't buy their cigars, but as Rob said they have bills that have to be paid and if we want a nice place to enjoy our hobby then we have to help support.

Cheers

[stogieluver]

In Mobile, AL. Only two cigar bars here that I'm aware of. One is downtown, and I'm not sure if it's still open; the other is in the back of a very nice liquor store which has a very nice walk in humidor with a good selection of NC's. Their cigar bar is pretty nice, but the hours are limited to Thursday thru Saturday evenings, and they are sporadic even with those hours.

To answer the OP's question, my favorite cigar bar around here is in Gulf Shores, AL and it is the nicest cigar bar, in terms of seating, ambiance, etc. The last time I was in there about a year ago, the humidor has a very limited selection of NC's and highly priced. I have taken CC's in there to smoke, but I always buy the same number of NC's that I smoke in CC's, plus a few drinks along the way. On the off chance that any of you Americans get to Gulf Shores, the place is called Cohiba Dunes Cigar Bar. Check it out.

[Habana Mike]

To answer the OP's question, my favorite cigar bar around here is in Gulf Shores, AL and it is the nicest cigar bar, in terms of seating, ambiance, etc. The last time I was in there about a year ago, the humidor has a very limited selection of NC's and highly priced. I have taken CC's in there to smoke, but I always buy the same number of NC's that I smoke in CC's, plus a few drinks along the way. On the off chance that any of you Americans get to Gulf Shores, the place is called Cohiba Dunes Cigar Bar. Check it out.

How long has it been there? Folks used to live in Gulf Shores up until a few years back and I went down there frequently, never heard of the place!

[stogieluver]

How long has it been there? Folks used to live in Gulf Shores up until a few years back and I went down there frequently, never heard of the place!

Opened two or three years ago.

[AlohaStyle]

Let me guess...Smoky Joe's...??

VancWA here...I know the problem and feel you pain. We've got a nice sun porch which is where I do my smoking. No cut fee here...;-)

Yep