The Best (most welcoming) Cigar Smoking Cities?

[El Presidente]

Naturally, I love a city with a great cigar smoking culture. It doesn't have to be overt...simply readily accessible with choices and a welcome nature toward lovers of the leaf.

What are your favourite cities....outside of Havana

If you have visited such a city a few times and have a set cigar pattern for your stay, detail it for us as it will prove most useful for others.

This thread may prove to be a good little travel guide

[stogieluver]

Up until about three months ago, I would have said New Orleans, but as with most all other cities these days, the Liberals have prevailed, and smoking is no longer allowed in the bars of the city. I thought, of all places, this wouldn't happen there, especially in the bars of the French Quarter. I guess if it can happen in Havana, it can happen anywhere. (I know. Smoking is not banned everywhere in Cuba, but it is banned in a surprisingly large number of venues in the country.)

The consolation is, there is a pretty good cigar lounge just a few blocks from Boubon Street, on Canal Street. The downside is the bar in this lounge charges very high prices for very small drinks.

[kuma]

anywhere in Spain. But my fav. is Barcelona. Stay at the Casa Camper hotel just off the Rambla.

Morning breakfast included in stay and a kitchen open all day for free snacks (juice, sandwich, fruit,

coffee, etc, etc.) grab a shot of espresso or two (take away) and head for the Rambla for a morning smoke

and a little am people watching. Wife is still sleeping so I'm enjoying the morning light and watching

shops opening up as I puff on one of the smokes I bought last night at Gimeno or

L'Estanc. Both shops serve very good smokes but Pres. still has them beat! And that begins

my little life when I hit Barcelona. From this city it is easy to go to France just up the coast

or sw and make for Valencia / Malaga if you love the ocean and coast line. Someday

I plan on driving from France head south along the coast of Spain and end up in

either Morocco or round Gibralter and head for Lisbon. On the buckit list.

[Geauxj]

Up until about three months ago, I would have said New Orleans, but as with most all other cities these days, the Liberals have prevailed, and smoking is no longer allowed in the bars of the city. I thought, of all places, this wouldn't happen there, especially in the bars of the French Quarter.

I think Harrah's, at the very least, is going to try and make this hurt New Orleans financially.

[westg]

Pamplona ,,,running with the bulls , could not believe how busy that place was. Went and saw a bull fight and a half time / intermission I went to go outside for a cigar but didn't have to , I remember looking across the bull ring and seeing smoke just pumping, sat there and lit up..with a bottle of Champaign served in a wooden bucket on ice.

When we were walking from the tarmac to the terminal I heard the announcement passengers are reminded that smoking is not permitted until you are well inside the terminal...I knew there and then it was going to be goooood

I love the LCDH Sheraton Hong Kong as well as most divans in HK , however I found the LCDH Sheraton really cosy and have met some really nice people there.

Kuala Lumpur some awesome places to smoke Marini's on 57 even if it has ridiculous rules no guns no pets no body guards, did not see anyone who might need any of that in there .Smoked in the lobby lounge BBF at the Shang ri la

Dubai awesome I found it really good for some aged stuff around town..and the airport I have not seen better for selection. In an airport that is.

Intercontinental Bali..... poolside cigar smoking raise your little flag for service ,drinks, food ..magnificent , also stayed at a villa with Miner OzCuban and Joker in Bali ...what a relaxing three days of cigar smoking , some great restaurants and bars all accommodating cigar smoking

Singapore even though you are not permitted I smoke from the balcony in the Fullerton Hotel (room), I think Singapore Is such a cool place walking up the stairs to the Old Cuban in China town the Connoisseur Divan is really nice

Havanathon Brisbane if you have not been then your missing out Some weird looking fella with a fluctuating weight problem who has a hot missus runs the show there ..have been twice great fun.

[Edrock80]

I Haven't been everywhere but grew up in Miami. For a big U.S city it sure can be behind the times in many ways...which works out well if you're a cigar smoker. So many heavy cigar smoking cultures have a big presence in Miami, mainly cubans. Now that I live in Los Angeles, looking back, I must say it was very rare for me to see a local smoking a CC in Miami. Maybe it's because everyones brother or cousin literally works in the NC cigar industry. Maybe it's because everyone's parents still see smoking CCs as supporting Castro. Miami is also cool because it literally seems like there is a cigar shop on every street, so many, loved that! Most people wouldn't bat an eye unless you were blowing smoke into their infants face. One con I will say about cigar smoking in Miami is, it's got to be the Fake CC capital of the world, sooo many fakes down there.

Now, cigar smoking in LA has grown on me. It's not uncommon to see folks smoking a cigar on the street, but a lot less than they do in Miami. What I will say about LA is, I feel like it's heavy into CCs compared to Miami, probably has to do with a lot of things. Celebrities tend to go for CCs and they are always popping into the good cigar spots. Most Hollywood celebs still smoke cigars, that hasn't changed with the times. Lots of wealthy Euros and international folks live here. Lastly, because of the lack of B&Ms for such a huge city smokers get a lot online. LA has really grown on me for a cigar town...and above all the best reason to be a cigar smoker in LA is because I feel like we have the best weather on the planet, 72 and sunny with a great CC is pretty amazing!

Eddie

[santela]

Living in Shanghai now and I would say China is very tolerant toward smokers. I can feel comfortable smoking almost anywhere with no children around, can't say the same for Japan.

Another city would be Istanbul. Every man I met there is a cigarette smoker and I had no problem smoking my cigars.

[PapaDisco]

I'd second the cigar divan society in Hong Kong. There are enough to keep you stocked and happy and anchor all the bars and restaurants that have smoking terraces. Saigon is also cigar friendly, but you mostly have to bring your own. There's a surprising number of indoor venues in Saigon, even some of the big hotels (Sofitel) will have smoking sections in the bar.

[Puros Y Vino]

I have little trouble lighting up outside in various Italian cities. Many still smoke cigarettes and Toscanos so the sight and smell of a cigar is not off-putting to them. Same goes with Paris.

Toronto had a good cigar scene but the patio by-laws has pretty much killed it. I was in Montreal last weekend and that is probably Canada's best cigar city. They still have indoor lounges. A long history of cigar appreciation too.

[btp1979]

I think Las Vegas in the US is largest city where a cigar has the most places to be smoked without being molested. (there are always exceptions of course)

[Hash]

London , Geneva, Montreal. All have venues that welcome cigar smokers.

[Orion21]

Paris, by far, is the most friendly. "Everyone" smokes and it was a treat to light up a wonderful Boli RC at a cafe recently and enjoy my coffee outside without a sideways glance. I even had a beautiful middle aged Parisian woman walk up and lean in to smell the smoke and give me a huge smile.

[TCContender]

I believe that Dubai is the most welcoming cigar city I have visited. A great deal of the acceptance is due to the fact that it is 110 F in the afternoon this time of year, so indoor smoking is mandatory.

[Mr. Japan]

London.... but pricey.

[LordAnubis]

I'll vote London too. History and prevalence of well understood laws to allow smoking indoors for now. And yes it's very expensive.

The difference between London and Dubai I find is that in London you meet commoners in cigar shops just there to enjoy themselves. In Dubai I found the cigar scene quite pompous and upper class. I also had a similar experience in Hong Kong.

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[LordAnubis]

Hahahhahahahha. So due to plane engine failure I had to overnight in Accra. The hotel has this.

As I got closer I realised I was actually seeing what I thought I was seeing. People were looking at me funny as I was in the middle of the car park just laughing.

Ghana. Do not recommend

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[Mycroft]

Vienna. No smoking ban until 2018. Good cigar shops and prices much cheaper than London (Rob +50%). Many outdoor cafes in summer and smokey bars/cafes in winter. 2nd highest smoking rate in Europe, so nobody bats an eyelid when you smoke a cigar on the street.

[Blackham]

Agree on all of the above.

Adding Andorra to the list, doesn't have as many lounges as the above but the price + selection makes up for it

[hebbe72]

Prague easily qualifies in this category. Was there in May and being from Sweden (where smoking is banned just about eveywhere) and got weird looks everytime I asked if it is OK to light up. Of course, why do you ask?

One place is highly recommemded; La Casa Argentina. Great food and drink and also cigars on the meny. They cooperate with LCDH next door.

[dangolf18]

Well from my experience Zurich and Prague. I haven't been to Asia, but I'd imagine it be more lenient over there.

[westg]

Hahahhahahahha. So due to plane engine failure I had to overnight in Accra. The hotel has this.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1436354316.780682.jpg

As I got closer I realised I was actually seeing what I thought I was seeing. People were looking at me funny as I was in the middle of the car park just laughing.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1436354413.548895.jpg

Ghana. Do not recommend

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throw a couple of bench seats in there and you have the garden

[OZCUBAN]

Havanathon Brisbane if you have not been then your missing out party.gif Some weird looking fella with a fluctuating weight problem who has a hot missus runs the show there ..have been twice great fun.lmao.gif

Love it??

[PuffDaddie]

New Orleans get's my vote to smoke.

[CUBANO]

New Orleans get's my vote to smoke.

Not anymore with the smoking ban, but I know your favorite place to go to smoke.

[eswary]

In the U.S.:

Miami is the cigar capital. Lounge/Cigar shop in every neighborhood. Calle Ocho in Little Havana is as iconic as you could desire with cigar culture. Well over 1,000 shops within Miami-Dade county.

***but obviously no CC's****

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