Finding Cigar Friendly Places That Allow Puffing My Own CCs

[Connoisseur Kim]

Since my house owner banned indoor smoking, I spent a quite long time for searching the B&Ms that allow puffing my own CCs.

I contacted the Pierre. Ltd to know whether it permits bringing my CC collections or not. However, it said that smoking my own CCs was strictly prohibited. I also tried to look other B&Ms, but I fear that I will be ended up with the same consequence (Cigar Story has the exact same rule as Pierre. Ltd).

Those who live in Korea, can you please tell me what are the best cigar friendly places that allow bringing my own CCs? This issue is definitely becoming pain in the butt as I expected...

Note. AFAIK, there are no B&Ms that permit puffing own CCs if I meet certain conditions in my country (e.g. paying some entrance fee, buying their drinking) unfortunately.

[La_Tigre]

An issue here in the USA too, don’t want NC’s so it makes it difficult to go to a B&M. Some will allow BYO with a cutting fee of $10 or more. There may be more options as we’ve not truly sought out much. I would love to hear more from FOH members. 

[The Squiggler]

This is an interesting question... I've smoked my CC's at my favorite local B&M, but I never thought to ask permission.  I always assumed that if I went in and bought a cigar or two to take home I could smoke whatever I wanted out of my humidor case.  Either way, I should probably double check before I get scolded.  I would think a lot of places probably allow their regulars/preferred customers to do just about whatever they want, but if you don't smoke NCs it's tough to become a regular at a NC brick and mortar. 

[SmokyFontaine]

As a traveler to Seoul earlier this month I was really surprised how uncommon cigars are. In the duty free shops...no humidor, just a few cardboard boxes of crap on a shelf out in the open. 

We hit Burn in Hal, but obviously you can't smoke your own there. I brought a dozen sticks with me and a co-worker and I ended up just using the smoking lounges in our hotel. Maybe a nearby hotel with an adjacent bar wouldn't bark too loudly if you popped in for a drink, and used the smoking lounge for a couple hours? If you just used the lounge frequently and didn't spend any money with the hotel, I could see that as being a no-no.

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Namdaeman and that property is gorgeous. JW quality level at least. 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

In my experience, the best thing for everyone involved is to become a regular customer. Get to know them, let them get to know you. If you have a relationship, it’ll be a more welcoming and accommodating place. And B&Ms deserve our support. If we don’t spend money there, then in a short time there won’t be any more lounges to go to. 

[Corylax18]

Just to clarify, are you having trouble finding a place to smoke CC's, or are you having trouble finding a place to smoke CC's for free?

I'm spoiled, there are three very friendly (but varying in quality) Cigar lounges in a 10 mile radius of me, all three very close to where I live and work. I smoke my own CC's in all three and have never had an issue doing so. But, I would never expect to do so for free. 

As we all know, B&M's face a tough slog both regulatory and finance wise.(world wide) I understand that if I want to take advantage of what they provide, I am expected to contribute to their bottom line. Just like any business. Weather its drinks, a couple sticks, some accessories, whatever. I'm happy to contribute (however small it is) to their continued success, both at my local B&Ms and when I am travelling.

Do the laws in South Korea prevent you from smoking your own, or is this an arbitrary policy aimed at selling their own stuff? I'd be frustrated too if I couldn't smoke my own. 

[SCgarman]

No issues for the cigar lounges I have visited in the USA. I always visit their humidor, purchase a cigar from them and offer up a Cuban from my portable cigar carry case. Then light up what I wish. 

[Nino]

4 hours ago, LonesomeHabanoAficionado said:

Those who live in Korea, can you please tell me what are the best cigar friendly places that allow bringing my own CCs? This issue is definitely becoming pain in the butt as I expected...

Do not live in the ROK but have visited Seoul many times and was always able to smoke cigars - my own - at many of the pubs, cafes and places there, specially in Itaewon.

I fondly remember Nashville and 3 Alley pub there, and I remember smoking also at our crew hotel the Hilton a bit outside downtown...

Never a problem unless the law has changed ...

http://flyingcigar.de/flying-cigars/200512-seoul-survivors/

( Sorry, post is from 2005 and in German ... )

 

[BrightonCorgi]

As earlier pointed out, look beyond a B&M for places to smoke.  Restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Find some cigar buddies that live in smoke friendly homes!

[Connoisseur Kim]

5 hours ago, SmokyFontaine said:

As a traveler to Seoul earlier this month I was really surprised how uncommon cigars are. In the duty free shops...no humidor, just a few cardboard boxes of crap on a shelf out in the open. 

We hit Burn in Hal, but obviously you can't smoke your own there. I brought a dozen sticks with me and a co-worker and I ended up just using the smoking lounges in our hotel. Maybe a nearby hotel with an adjacent bar wouldn't bark too loudly if you popped in for a drink, and used the smoking lounge for a couple hours? If you just used the lounge frequently and didn't spend any money with the hotel, I could see that as being a no-no.

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Namdaeman and that property is gorgeous. JW quality level at least. 

Yes! Cigars aren't that common in my country yet! One more scary thing is even B&Ms don't have pristine storage condition and wide variety of CC selections unlike FOH (no Connie A & B, CoShorts, etc)!!!! ?

4 hours ago, Corylax18 said:

Do the laws in South Korea prevent you from smoking your own, or is this an arbitrary policy aimed at selling their own stuff? I'd be frustrated too if I couldn't smoke my own. 

No outside smoking law (so rare to see bars and cafes that allow puffing indoor nowadays) and B&Ms arbitrary policy made me deeply frustrated (additionally, strict anti smoking law). I'm surprised that most of Korean B&Ms don't notify their rules on their website, etc at all. Their storage condition (spongy as hell) and pricing (CCs are $$$ than FOH and NCs are even more $$$) is really big no no to me TBH. Besides, they aren't that flexible (no certain conditions for those who bring own CCs like paying entrance fee unlike US B&M's) compare to B&Ms in US (it is either yes or no). ?

 I think it is time to look beyond B&Ms as BrightonCorgi said.

3 hours ago, nino said:

Do not live in the ROK but have visited Seoul many times and was always able to smoke cigars - my own - at many of the pubs, cafes and places there, specially in Itaewon.

I fondly remember Nashville and 3 Alley pub there, and I remember smoking also at our crew hotel the Hilton a bit outside downtown...

Never a problem unless the law has changed ...

http://flyingcigar.de/flying-cigars/200512-seoul-survivors/

( Sorry, post is from 2005 and in German ... )

 

5 hours ago, SmokyFontaine said:

As a traveler to Seoul earlier this month I was really surprised how uncommon cigars are. In the duty free shops...no humidor, just a few cardboard boxes of crap on a shelf out in the open. 

We hit Burn in Hal, but obviously you can't smoke your own there. I brought a dozen sticks with me and a co-worker and I ended up just using the smoking lounges in our hotel. Maybe a nearby hotel with an adjacent bar wouldn't bark too loudly if you popped in for a drink, and used the smoking lounge for a couple hours? If you just used the lounge frequently and didn't spend any money with the hotel, I could see that as being a no-no.

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Namdaeman and that property is gorgeous. JW quality level at least. 

Thanks SmokyFontaine and Senor Nino! Too bad that even most of hotels closed their cigar lounges quite long time ago due to customers' complaint. Pubs and cafes that allow indoor puffing are getting rarer than before as Korea is tightening their anti smoking law. However, there are still few numbers of pubs and cafes allow indoor puffing at least, which is good sign for me! I should find them ASAP!

1 hour ago, BrightonCorgi said:

As earlier pointed out, look beyond a B&M for places to smoke.  Restaurants, bars, and clubs.

Find some cigar buddies that live in smoke friendly homes!

Yeah, I should done this a long time ago! Restaurants in my country don't allow puffing anymore, so this narrows down to bars or BOTL's house!

[Hammer Smokin']

my suggestion would be to purchase a cheaper cigar from the shop, put it in your pocket, and just smoke one of your own.

[Connoisseur Kim]

26 minutes ago, Hammer Smokin' said:

my suggestion would be to purchase a cheaper cigar from the shop, put it in your pocket, and just smoke one of your own.

Thanks buddy! Too bad that Korean B&Ms just don't allow bringing own CCs regardless of buying their cheapos, drinking unlike US B&Ms (I noticed that Korean BOTLs puff their own CCs at Cafe or somewhere). I really upset for Korean B&Ms inflexibility ?

[Hammer Smokin']

Here in Canada you can't smoke anywhere indoors.

But B&M's have outdoor patio's for smoking. It is customary to purchase a cigar from the B&M to utilize their patio's, but they don't really care what you smoke once on the patio.

 

[Deeg]

When I lived in the States I would frequently go to a shop, buy a cheaper NC as a yard gar and smoke one of my Cubans there.  If you buy, I don’t think they really have a gripe.

The larger concern is a big one for me, living in Japan.  My apartment building is totally non-smoking, even in outdoor spaces.  My best luck has been bars, especially at hotels, but it’s still a ¥1000-plus hit for a drink every time I want to smoke there.  Kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee houses) often allow smoking but I always feel self-conscious lighting up a cigar there, as I’ve never seen anyone else do it.

 

 

[Connoisseur Kim]

1 hour ago, Hammer Smokin' said:

Here in Canada you can't smoke anywhere indoors.

But B&M's have outdoor patio's for smoking. It is customary to purchase a cigar from the B&M to utilize their patio's, but they don't really care what you smoke once on the patio.

I wish our B&Ms implement how do US B&M deal with those who bringing own CCs like buying their drinking if you want to puff own CCs.

1 hour ago, Deeg said:

When I lived in the States I would frequently go to a shop, buy a cheaper NC as a yard gar and smoke one of my Cubans there.  If you buy, I don’t think they really have a gripe.

The larger concern is a big one for me, living in Japan.  My apartment building is totally non-smoking, even in outdoor spaces.  My best luck has been bars, especially at hotels, but it’s still a ¥1000-plus hit for a drink every time I want to smoke there.  Kissaten (traditional Japanese coffee houses) often allow smoking but I always feel self-conscious lighting up a cigar there, as I’ve never seen anyone else do it.

Too bad that most of hotels don't run cigar bars anymore due to customers' complains and tightened law. Again, I'm surprised that Korean B&Ms aren't that flexible as US B&Ms'. I have to seek plain bars or cafes from now on as they don't restrict bringing own CCs from now own...

[Deeg]

Bars and cafes are the way to go, but I’m always a little leery of whether it’s the sort of place where cigars are common (especially with cafes).  The last thing I want is for my hobby to ruin someone else’s day.

Bars can get pretty expensive, too.

[Connoisseur Kim]

Bars and cafes are the way to go, but I’m always a little leery of whether it’s the sort of place where cigars are common (especially with cafes).  The last thing I want is for my hobby to ruin someone else’s day.
Bars can get pretty expensive, too.

Much agreed, but it seems that I don't have an option, as Korean B&Ms have arbitrary rules without flexibility.

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[Lotusguy]

Here in Canada you can't smoke anywhere indoors.
But B&M's have outdoor patio's for smoking. It is customary to purchase a cigar from the B&M to utilize their patio's, but they don't really care what you smoke once on the patio.
 

There are some casinos that still allow indoor smoking - had this in Casino du Lac-Leamy last week Extremely nice lounge at the Hilton there.

[Hammer Smokin']

Ahh yes, Quebec, forgot they get to do what they want....

 

[Deeg]

When I lived in San Francisco (actually the Peninsula) there was a hotel called the Canterbury (a Best Western, believe it or not) on Sutter in SF that had a very comfortable smoking lounge where you could go and smoke your own for free any time of day.  Because bars in CA are non-smoking the hotel bar could only have you buy a drink there and take it into the lounge yourself, so there wasn't even a requirement to buy a drink (though I often did).  As if that weren't enough it had an amazing jukebox that was also totally free.  I used to go there every weekend to have a smoke, and you'd almost always meet European travelers in the lounge for interesting conversations if you were so inclined. Then it went timeshare, and that was that - I almost cried when I heard the news.  That place was like a part of my house. 

[Duxnutz]

Buy a cigar or two, possibly in same format as what I’m really gonna smoke. 
 

Sit back and relax!

[Connoisseur Kim]

7 minutes ago, Deeg said:

When I lived in San Francisco (actually the Peninsula) there was a hotel called the Canterbury (a Best Western, believe it or not) on Sutter in SF that had a very comfortable smoking lounge where you could go and smoke your own for free any time of day.  Because bars in CA are non-smoking the hotel bar could only have you buy a drink there and take it into the lounge yourself, so there wasn't even a requirement to buy a drink (though I often did).  As if that weren't enough it had an amazing jukebox that was also totally free.  I used to go there every weekend to have a smoke, and you'd almost always meet European travelers in the lounge for interesting conversations if you were so inclined. Then it went timeshare, and that was that - I almost cried when I heard the news.  That place was like a part of my house. 

I wish that I can find bars like this!

[Deeg]

10 minutes ago, LonesomeHabanoAficionado said:

I wish that I can find bars like this!

Me too, believe me - it was one of a kind.  Like having a man cave somebody else had to clean every night.

[Connoisseur Kim]

10 minutes ago, Deeg said:

Me too, believe me - it was one of a kind.  Like having a man cave somebody else had to clean every night.

Definitely!!!! There are no other comfortable places like man cave with cleaners! ?

[zuhaib]

28 minutes ago, Deeg said:

When I lived in San Francisco (actually the Peninsula) there was a hotel called the Canterbury (a Best Western, believe it or not) on Sutter in SF that had a very comfortable smoking lounge where you could go and smoke your own for free any time of day.  Because bars in CA are non-smoking the hotel bar could only have you buy a drink there and take it into the lounge yourself, so there wasn't even a requirement to buy a drink (though I often did).  As if that weren't enough it had an amazing jukebox that was also totally free.  I used to go there every weekend to have a smoke, and you'd almost always meet European travelers in the lounge for interesting conversations if you were so inclined. Then it went timeshare, and that was that - I almost cried when I heard the news.  That place was like a part of my house. 

I have been in SF my whole life and never heard of this place.  Googling shows they still advertise a smoking lounge I might check it out.  Normally in SF I would hit up The Cigar Bar or Occidental Cigar Club. 
LonesomeHabanoAficionado: I feel for you, I thought being in SF I had small picking for a place to smoke but Korea sounds really bad.  Maybe opportunity to open your own B&M.