Is Hong Kong the cigar capital of the world?

[El Presidente]

I understand some changes to Hong Kong smoking laws are being contemplated, but as of today, Hong Kong  in my mind stands as the cigar capital of the world.... 

Rob! What about Havana?        Well to begin with, there are more divans and cigar clubs in HK than Havana. 

I have visited four divans to date and there are another three  that I know of. I am counting only the divans in Central district which would comprise an area one kilometer square.  It is absolutely  fantastic for the cigar lover. 

While you can not light up a cigar indoors at restaurants and bars (divans excluded),  I have again found plenty of places to have a cigar as people seem genuinely happy to leave you alone. 

Overall....it is so bloody civilised. 

Cigars are expensive but if you are living in a land that oppresses the cigar lover, take 3 days off and visit Hong Kong. It will blow your mind. 

[captain]

That’s a beautiful lounge....

[Monarch]

Yep I couldn't agree more. Lived in HK for a year and a half and the divan at the mandarin is probably the thing I miss most. Most places are decorated tastefully and authentic. Fortunately HK's cigar culture runs long and deep enough that the authorities have sense to continue to allow indoor smoking. London maybe second?

[Chef]

That’s a gorgeous lounge.  HK is just so far away. ?

[rabidraccoon]

I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental and smoked in their lounge/shop which was a bit small but nice. Personally I’m not a big lounge/indoor smoker. I still think Havana is the nonpareil cigar city of the world. It’s so steeped in the culture and there’s none of the stigma. Miami is quite great as well although nowhere near the extent of Havana’s cigar culture.

[saltyfeet]

Where is this lounge at the Mandarin Oriental? Been looking for this. Thanks

1 hour ago, Monarch said:

Yep I couldn't agree more. Lived in HK for a year and a half and the divan at the mandarin is probably the thing I miss most. Most places are decorated tastefully and authentic. Fortunately HK's cigar culture runs long and deep enough that the authorities have sense to continue to allow indoor smoking. London maybe second?

 

[mt1]

Definitely no shortage of places to smoke here and I've never run into any complaints about cigar smoking.  Anyone passing through HK, please hit us up!

[bugman78629]

Reminds me of this movie....?

 

[Monarch]

1 hour ago, saltyfeet said:

Where is this lounge at the Mandarin Oriental? Been looking for this. Thanks

 

just tucked away behind the lift lobby at ground level. you should be able to smell it..

[PapaDisco]

1 hour ago, saltyfeet said:

Where is this lounge at the Mandarin Oriental? Been looking for this. Thanks

 

It's on the concierge level/split level (up a few steps) along with the retail shops behind the concierge station.  It's a cigar shop that you can smoke in. 

The Red Chamber <sigh>  ya had to post that Rob just to tease the rest of us chained to our desks didn't ya?    I love that place.  Cigars are bloody expensive, but the Cigar Sommelier there is very helpful and the scotch is good.  Had a super model try and pick me up there once  

However, Saigon would beat HKG for indoor cigar smoking.  Despite the no smoking laws every new restaurant will accommodate a stogie and its owner.  Now buying cigars is quite challenging, but there are lots and lots of places that still celebrate the cigar.  

[dangolf18]

HK is a great place for cigar lovers...albeit you really ought to bring your own stock. I was absolutely blown away by the prices! The Red Chamber (pictured) is an awesome lounge.

[koosh]

That rug really ties the room together. ?

[Drguano]

Alas, all my visits to Hong Kong came before I smoked cigars. I would love to return. When you say expensive, are cigar prices higher, lower or on a par with London and the UK?

[TheMonk]

4 hours ago, koosh said:

That rug really ties the room together. ?

Ah! ? It really does! 

[MountainMilG]

I thought Lebanon had the most cigar smokers per capita, or most cigars per capita or something.  Granted that looks like a lovely place to sit for a nice smoke

[David88]

Hong Kong is definitely the best place I’ve ever been for cigars, although you will need some cash to make the most of it! 

Lebanon is good for cigars and the price is much more wallet friendly. But if I had to choose one then it would be HK. The lcdh at the Sheraton is a great lounge. 

I also enjoyed Paris for cigars and Las Vegas. 

[Mr. Japan]

Quote

Prez I agree with you. Hong Kong is best place on earth ( I add also  London )  where you can have a good smoke in a restricted area just walking from one place to another one.  Maybe the smallest but I love Cigar Mandarin.

 

[Nino]

7 hours ago, Drguano said:

Alas, all my visits to Hong Kong came before I smoked cigars. I would love to return. When you say expensive, are cigar prices higher, lower or on a par with London and the UK?

I love being a cigar smoker in HK ?

I'd say prices are a bit lower than in London, but high enough to hurt a bit.

But the atmosphere is just great and due to the weather you are able to smoke outside as well.

[Chucko8]

There sure are some quality establishments here in HKG to choose from. We are quite lucky

[KavalanWhisky]

7 hours ago, nino said:

I love being a cigar smoker in HK ?

I'd say prices are a bit lower than in London, but high enough to hurt a bit.

But the atmosphere is just great and due to the weather you are able to smoke outside as well.

Love being a cigar smoker in HK as well, good lounges and roof top bars that don't mind a cigar smoker and often have cigar ashtrays as well.

I find prices higher than London but its been a few years since I've visited JJ's so not sure but feel that the prices are crazy compared to stuff i see in Europe.

At least there are many a divan I can smoke away in comfort compared to some of the snow and cold that I see some BOTL have during these winter months...

[MigsG]

21 hours ago, Monarch said:

just tucked away behind the lift lobby at ground level. you should be able to smell it..

You don't need to be a guest at the hotel? Could just drop by anytime? How does that work for that place and other hotel lounges - just buy a cigar, order a drink, and you're good to enjoy?

[PapaDisco]

2 hours ago, Miguel Gonzalez said:

You don't need to be a guest at the hotel? Could just drop by anytime? How does that work for that place and other hotel lounges - just buy a cigar, order a drink, and you're good to enjoy?

No need to be a guest, but it's very tiny and more shop than lounge.  They'll let you enjoy a single stick if you're just looking to kick back or try something new.  The Red Chamber, that Rob posted up top, is just a 5 minute walk from the Mandarin IIRC, and is a perfect lounge experience. 

[Wilzc]

Some lounges in HK aren't all that expensive!

[smokin.joe]

i have visited 4 or 5 cigar divans in Hong Kong when I traveled there on business back in the late 90's, early 2000. The one I was most impressed with was Cigarro. Tremendous selection of vintage cigars and hard to find cigars. The lounge was well appointed, but the private lockers were amazing. They were some form of see through plastic or acrylic material. Hong Kong has some very serious cigar collectors and Cigarro is the home to some of those folks.

[Corylax18]

I can't get behind any city other than Havana. I haven't been to Hong Kong yet, but everything about Havana is nearly perfect for a Cigar smoker. Cheapest prices on the planet, a Selection thats just as good if not better than anywhere else on the planet, more LCDH's Habanos Specialists, Custom rollers, and Factories than you can visit in a single trip.

Then there is the culture. You can smoke almost everywhere. I've never, in any country, even in a cigar lounge, received an apology from the wait staff because they couldn't get an ashtray on the table before we lit up. But this happens Everywhere in Cuba. Inside or outside, Cigar shop, restaurant, or hotel, all fair game. I think its actually encouraged. The only time I've received negative feedback for smoking in Havana was from some Canadian, I think his name is Justin Truduea….