Shops in Calgary

[perkinke]

I'm headed to Calgary for a week-long training next month and wanted to know if there's a shop that is a "must visit" there AND if there is a smoking lounge somewhere.  I'm not going to have much downtime, but by midweek I'm sure I'm going to want to relax at least one evening.

I'd also love some recommendations for restaurants for dinner and evening attractions (no, that is not a euphemism) since my training will be all day and then some.  I'm staying in the city centre area.

Thanks!

[stevem]

Hi @perkinke, anyone visiting Calgary should absolutely check out Zigarren in South Calgary as they have recently expanded their Humidor and I believe it is now classified as the largest in Canada if I'm not mistaken. Great selection and helpful staff, unsure about smoking lounge anywhere in the city if you are not a member, $1500/year member fees keep me smoking in the garage & balconies with friends.

The other shop I would highly recommend is Tobacco Outlet in Bridgeland. This shop is just north of downton and I was recently there for their Tabaquero Hamlet Paredes launch and have had some stunner Partagas Serie P no. 2 from this shop (great pairing leading up to Turkey & Stuffing season). In addition to the shop having excellent helpful staff, there are some stellar restaurants in this area.

final word of advice, There is a shop downtown (same shop with $1500/yr lounge member fees) that has little to no selection for public consumption however what I did find was pricey but rare. Had the shop owner pick an SLR DC from a 50 Cab, unlikely to happen for anyone for sometime, and they have old banded Mag 46. AB tax is not kind to the bank account, so if you are paying for it best to make it worthwhile and go large.

Hope these help you out while on the road! And if all else fails, go in for an order through Cigar Chief!

Cheers

[ComancheKeen]

Epicure Pipe & Cigar is right downtown but I think Zigarren is a must visit. They claim to have the largest walk in humidor in Canada and have a very nice selection of Cubans and Non-Cubans and the staff has always been good to me. Just be prepared to pay large because the tax up here is atrocious. 

As for smoking areas, I'm no help. Smoking is banned indoors in most places. Maybe some other locals might be able to point you in the right direction. Might want to pick a shorter smoke because it's getting a bit brisk outside!

And for food, I'm also not much help as I don't venture downtown much. 17th Ave and Stephens Ave  (8th?) are the popular spots but I usually stick to pubs when I'm down there.

As for evening entertainment, the Flames (NHL) and Hitmen (WHL) kick off their season right away, so it's pretty easy to catch a hockey game. Stampeders (CFL) are playing on the 15th and 22nd I believe.

[chriswalker]

I would suggest going to the revolving restaurant in the calgary tower for dinner...awesome views of the city as it revolves around...you can go to the shops that were suggested here to look and possibly purchase cigars but as one other member stated prices are insane...I will offer to you...if you want...to drop off a  couple cigars from my walkin...I don't have the time to smoke with you because I have a 14 month old daughter that I spend my spare time with but I will stop and drop you a couple cigs for you to enjoy...if you choose to accept my offer you can go into my profile...look up the walkin humidor thread a choose a couple...they are all well aged and cared for...my email info should be there if you so choose.

[Ghabanos]

has anyone been to Winston's smoke club?

 

https://winstonsmokeclub.com/

[Cigar Surgeon]

51 minutes ago, Ghabanos said:

has anyone been to Winston's smoke club?

 

https://winstonsmokeclub.com/

Not open yet, but have not heard of this: 

Technically legal now in Alberta, since there was a sneaky repeal of lounge bans in Alberta last year. With that said; it will be interesting to see how they make the model work, especially downtown. Since you can't make money off alcohol or food they're going to have to charge a staggering amount for member fees to stay afloat. Additionally I believe this is where the old Epicure location was, so there's no parking and that was a deal breaker when we were looking at acquiring the space for this very purpose many years ago. 

Other than that, the only place you can smoke indoors in Alberta that is open to the public is Q cigar room. 

[Ghabanos]

thanks Mr Surgeon.

 

I saw the updated reg and was doing a general search so this is helpful!

2 hours ago, Cigar Surgeon said:

Not open yet, but have not heard of this: 

Technically legal now in Alberta, since there was a sneaky repeal of lounge bans in Alberta last year. With that said; it will be interesting to see how they make the model work, especially downtown. Since you can't make money off alcohol or food they're going to have to charge a staggering amount for member fees to stay afloat. Additionally I believe this is where the old Epicure location was, so there's no parking and that was a deal breaker when we were looking at acquiring the space for this very purpose many years ago. 

Other than that, the only place you can smoke indoors in Alberta that is open to the public is Q cigar room. 

 

[GoodStix]

If you're into whiskies, Kensington Wine Market has one of the best selections in Canada.