Chicago help, please

[ayepatz]

I’m looking for a good lounge, centrally located (loop, river north magnificent mile) where you can smoke your own. 

Any recommendations, good people of FOH?

Many thanks.

[Colt45]

I don't know if this suits your location, but Lisa (Canadianbeaver) has recommended Iwan Ries more than once.

https://www.iwanries.com/the-front-room-chicagos-premier-smoking-lounge.cfm

[ayepatz]

4 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

I don't know if this suits your location, but Lisa (Canadianbeaver) has recommended Iwan Ries more than once.

https://www.iwanries.com/the-front-room-chicagos-premier-smoking-lounge.cfm

Thanks, I’ll check that out next week. They’re closed today, unfortunately.☹️

[unclepauly25]

The Clayton Chicago, but they are closed today. Only been there once, very nice people. 

[unclepauly25]

Another place I thought of is calling biggs mansion, it says they are open until 10 pm, I’ve never been there, good luck brother ?

[MoeFOH]

1 hour ago, ayepatz said:

I’m looking for a good lounge, centrally located (loop, river north magnificent mile) where you can smoke your own. 

Any recommendations, good people of FOH?

Many thanks.

@5thStarChicago (Phil) is your man. 

[inter4alia]

Really only three options in the general downtown area: Iwan Reis, Biggs, and Up Down. Not sure about their smoke your own policies. 

[Diabolicalpherpher]

 

Iwan ries store is closed but the lounge is open to 6pm(You can still get seated then). They have some cigar selections in the lounge you can purchase if necessary.  It’s $15 for access to the lounge.

1 hour ago, ayepatz said:

Thanks, I’ll check that out next week. They’re closed today, unfortunately.☹️

Updown cigar is open up in old town  

biggs is open but the lounge access price is a bit high...

it is the day of the Super Bowl so they all may be crowded  

 

[ayepatz]

Thanks everybody. Some great tips there. ?

[boopdeep]

I recently visited Biggs.  Paid the day pass price (~$70-75 i believe).  One of the nicer places I have ever smoked.  

[Cayman17]

8 hours ago, boopdeep said:

I recently visited Biggs.  Paid the day pass price (~$70-75 i believe).  One of the nicer places I have ever smoked.  

Do you get a drink included with the entrance fee?

[LGC]

Do you get a drink included with the entrance fee?

Yeah... water from the bathroom tap.

[canadianbeaver]

Iwan Ries Is wonderful. You will be charged $15 to go into the executive lounge. The room with a TV and hanging out is free. Richard, the manager of the exec lounge is so nice. Tell him Lisa and Matthew say Hi.

[Cayman17]

I have been to Iwan Ries and enjoyed it.  

[ayepatz]

1 hour ago, canadianbeaver said:

Iwan Ries Is wonderful. You will be charged $15 to go into the executive lounge. The room with a TV and hanging out is free. Richard, the manager of the exec lounge is so nice. Tell him Lisa and Matthew say Hi.

Will do! ?

[inter4alia]

2 hours ago, canadianbeaver said:

Iwan Ries Is wonderful. You will be charged $15 to go into the executive lounge. The room with a TV and hanging out is free. Richard, the manager of the exec lounge is so nice. Tell him Lisa and Matthew say Hi.

Is there an additional cutting fee or any restrictions on smoking your own there? 

[madandana]

I third Iwan Regis. Great place. You can bring a bottle. They have ice and glasses.

[foursite12]

Was at Iwan Ries Saturday with a fellow FOH-er who was in town for the day. Interesting store with all the goods; very accommodating help who make a point to let you know that you can look around anywhere--main floor, behind the counters, humidors--anywhere you see. Very relaxed.  They have three lounges that we saw.  One seemed to be for pipes only (IRC is very pipe-oriented), one that was "basic" but ok for cigars and then the "deluxe" lounge, which is in another part of the building.  For the deluxe lounge there is a $15 fee for the day for non-IRC members. Exit/reenter is perfectly fine.  BYOB but as mentioned above, there is ice and glassware. TV, leather furniture, an array of tables. A reasonable part of the space is reserved for members. Not extreme luxury but perfectly fine. Cigar reek was pretty strong. Nothing said or posted about smoking our own. We paid the fee and each bought a very good cigar from the store. We smoked a couple of 8-9-8 in lieu of what we bought with a clear conscience and without any issues.  

[ayepatz]

Just back from Iwan Ries. Great place, but they’ve had a disaster with a burst pipe above them on the fifth floor. Stock is ok, but some parts of the exec lounges have been temporarily closed.

[Duxnutz]

On 2/4/2019 at 8:55 AM, ayepatz said:

Just back from Iwan Ries. Great place, but they’ve had a disaster with a burst pipe above them on the fifth floor. Stock is ok, but some parts of the exec lounges have been temporarily closed.

Any update? I might be in Chicago this weekend/Friday.

[ayepatz]

1 hour ago, Duxnutz said:

Any update? I might be in Chicago this weekend/Friday.

Left town last week. Despite the damage they were fully open for business, other than a small section of lounge closed.

[canadianbeaver]

Ok you Chicago dudes! We are here today and thinking of heading over this afternoon for a smoke to Iwan’s. Join us!

CB and Mr CB

??

[foursite12]

Thanks for the invite! I'm out in the 'burbs and won't be downtown this week but I hope you and the Mr enjoy your time here!