View Full Version : How Often do You Frequent a Cigar Lounge/Bar?
Nature
11-24-2015, 08:03 PM
How often do you go to a cigar bar/lounge/B&M to smoke a cigar?
What brings you there? A warm place to smoke cigar? Socialization? A place away from home?
Tell us about your cigar smoking at an establishment away from home.
I go to a favorite Cigar Bar almost weekly after work on the way home. It's as much about hanging out with a few male companions from work; talking about "Guy Stuff" as it is about the cigar. When I get a chance, (rare) I like to go to another cigar bar close to my home, just to get away. It is someplace other than my garage to smoke a cigar in cold weather months. I am most likely to go alone. During the daytime quieter periods, it is to just get away. I also occasionally like the evenings when it is more crowded to listen to the live venues or to people watch and to strike up conversations with strangers.
Big Tex
11-24-2015, 08:24 PM
I used to frequent my local b&m two to five times a week, but that has dwindled over the years. The owner has had a significant change of personality which has not set well with most of the regular patrons causing a change in clientele.
Six years ago you would have a hard time finding a seat any evening after work and there was no such chance on a Friday. That has long since changed as you would be lucky to even encounter another human hanging there these days. Being in the Houston area, when the oil prices and economy cratered in 2009 this put a lot of stress on the owner as his business slowed down significantly. He is such a micro manager that he can't keep employees which keeps him there all open hours. He has also run off many of his regular customers due to his attitude and has even told several regulars that they are not welcome there. I do t think that he understands that every customer that has been run off has friends that won't go back either due to his poor treatment of the original person.
Therefore I choose to smoke at home and purchase most of my tobacco online....
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Elco69
11-24-2015, 08:24 PM
I go about once a month just to stop in and see what is new. I used to go 3-4 times a week, but every since my cigar hobby went full speed, I just have way too much at home to enjoy and being in the SF Bay Area weather is almost always good enough to enjoy a stick outside. Now with the weather get a little bit nippier I may start frequenting a bit more.
I have 2 places I frequent, both have 2 completely different cliental. One is most blue collard, policeman, fireman, construction workers etc. and the other is very white collar, business owners, think tank type people. I visit both but more so the latter as I am a relatively new business owner and I get a lot of good advice from those guys and have even done some business deals while enjoying a good smoke.
Usafvet509
11-25-2015, 12:35 AM
I go every month or so. Springfield mostly, Kansas City and Joplin on more seldom occasions. I usually buy 2-3, and smoke one there. Comfy spot and socializing are my reasons.
AlanS
11-25-2015, 12:41 AM
I tend to go more in the winter out of necessity, very seldom in the warmer months.
Desertlifter
11-25-2015, 01:12 AM
I stop by Lil Brown now and again. I work so much that I rarely have time.
Old Smokey
11-25-2015, 07:08 AM
I have never smoked in a cigar lounge so I voted rarely.
quazy50
11-25-2015, 08:53 AM
I can't vote, but I'd put rarely because it will usually only happen in the winter.
Hardheaded
11-25-2015, 09:35 AM
I voted for rarely. The only times I visit them is if I am killing time while waiting for my wife and I happen to be close to one with a lounge. Once in a while we will go to the cigar bar downtown if we are already out that way, but thats it.
I'm spoiled by being able to smoke indoors at home, and I normally prefer smoking alone anyway.
WNYTONY
11-25-2015, 09:38 AM
I voted for rarely. The only times I visit them is if I am killing time while waiting for my wife and I happen to be close to one with a lounge. Once in a while we will go to the cigar bar downtown if we are already out that way, but thats it.
I'm spoiled by being able to smoke indoors at home, and I normally prefer smoking alone anyway.
This.
Closest lounge is a 90 min drive so have only ever sat in a lounge and smoked once or twice in my life.
OldSkoolTarHeel
11-25-2015, 09:45 AM
I'm with AlanS. I usually only go in the winter. I may stop in from time to time in the summer months, but again, mostly just the winter months here.
TreySC
11-25-2015, 11:19 AM
I voted for rarely. I do try to stop in one of the shops around at least once a month and buy something to keep up the relationship with the owner. I wish I had more time to go there just to hang out and smoke, but all my kids are still pretty young and have a lot of extra curricular activities. I can see my self going more often when they get older and I have less to do.
Demuths1770
11-25-2015, 11:52 AM
usually once a week i get out to a local B&M or cigar bar. i got to resupply on stick and a chance to get away and relax and socialize with other cigar smokers. if i smoke at home i usually cant relax the same as if i am at a lounge. its just nice to kick back in a leather chair and melt away. its also nice because i can usually watch whatever i want on the tv and sometimes its nice to go to the cigar bar and have someone bring you your drinks.
Rocket Scientologist
11-25-2015, 02:03 PM
Some of you might remember my relationship with my local lounge, but I still go about once a week. I have slowed down recently just because of my schedule, but it's the best place to meet my BOTL.
I like going to cigar bars/lounges because I don't like smoking alone, it's more relaxing than sitting on my patio, and it's warm.
I tend to go more in the winter out of necessity, very seldom in the warmer months.
I agree, but even in the summer it's sometimes easier to meet my friends at the lounge, especially if it's too hot outside. It's both extremes that make outside smoking miserable. And if I have to smoke outside in the cold, I have a pipe. :pipe:
Emperor Zurg
11-25-2015, 03:24 PM
Never.
I met up with Tobias at one a while back but that was the only time.
jp1979
11-25-2015, 07:23 PM
couple times a week to meet up with guys from the forums or to watch football.
JustTroItIn
11-25-2015, 07:43 PM
Once a month during our local pipe club meets. A little more in the winter when I don't feel like stoking a fire in the garage.
Bruck
11-25-2015, 08:44 PM
Rarely here - maybe once a year. I have a pretty good setup for home smoking/cigar bumming on the laptop :)
omahaorange
11-25-2015, 09:35 PM
For me, there are several tobacco shops within 40 minutes driving, but none have a lounge. I too, am fortunate enough to have a relatively comfortable place indoors to smoke at home. However, there is a bar about 20 minutes away that I go to every month. This is a cigar bar in the basement of a rather upscale restaurant. Owner holds a tasting event every month. Has a cigar rep in, a liquor salesman, and a beer vendor all providing samples. Puts out a small buffet as well. 10 bucks get you in, and he discounts boxes during the event. Bar prices are on a par with other bars, so you don't get soaked on drinks. Been going since March of this year. Nice place, and they treat me like I'm in there every day. Owner knows my my name and what I like to smoke, and the bar knows what I drink. The liquor guy's pretty friendly, and he's a wealth of information when it comes to booze. It also makes for a nice couple hours with my son, who goes with me as well. Met more than a few nice people there.
Brimy
11-26-2015, 06:08 AM
Rarely for me.
I normally hit the lounge when I'm meeting some grade school buddies for a herf.
Went a few times alone and will probably try to hit them a bit more often now that it's getting cold.
cocker_dude
11-26-2015, 08:42 AM
I just bought a membership to my local cigar lounge. It's about a 15 minute drive, but worth it in the winter months. I also used to purchase the NFL ticket and with my membership, I no longer need that as I go to the cigar lounge for all NFL games. So it's about a wash for me as far as the lounge membership fee goes.
Mostly I go on the weekends as I don't have a lot of weekday free time. I normally pretty much keep to myself unless I'm there with a friend or wife that will smoke with me on occasion.
Billb1960
11-26-2015, 10:03 AM
Seasonally dependent. In the winter a lot, like every day. In the summer almost never.
AlanS
11-26-2015, 10:06 AM
I'll shoot the moon on cigar prices but not real keen about paying over $30 for a six pack of beer. It costs too much at the store all ready.
Yarddog
11-26-2015, 01:01 PM
I'm fortunate in that I live in a climate which allows me to smoke outside, or in the garage, all year round. I never smoke indoors, but I can also smoke in my truck when I'm going here and there. Going to a cigar lounge to hang with people that I don't know or don't have much in common with doesn't interest me much. I'd rather go up to my neighbor's house and share a smoke with a guy I know and respect, rather than others...my free time is limited, so I'm pretty picky about who I spend it with, and how I'm spending it.
Now, there is the issue about meeting new and different folks, and yes, there's value there, but I treasure my close friends and my alone time. When I was younger, maybe that would have been different. I dunno...just now my thang, I reckon...
T.E.Fox
11-28-2015, 07:55 AM
The closest such thing to me is 5 hours drive, and even then the venues are a bit too fancy for me. I am a blue collared country lad after all. Not to mention the prices at such places are enough to choke a mule. If there was one close by with a decent atmosphere I'd be in there a couple times a month, but given that these venues are getting slowly oulawed in this country means I will never frequent such a place. I'm more than content with my parcel of land and its wildlife to watch while having a smoke.
allusred
11-29-2015, 03:58 AM
Voted Rarely.
But my real answer is never.
Cool Breeze
11-29-2015, 04:32 PM
I voted a couple of times a month, but it used to be more.
I had class at the UALR main campus and there is a very good cigar shop right across the street called "The Pipe and Tobacco Shop" with one huge walk in humidor and one smaller one well stocked and the sticks kept very well. Huge selection of pipes and a decent amount of pipe tobacco. When I had classes on campus I would go after work every Monday and Wednesday afternoon for an hour or so and smoke a small stick or a bowl in the pipe.
Anyway it's not really a lounge but there's a couple of tables there that always have some guys smoking and shooting the breeze. I really enjoy going and it is only a 20-30 minute drive from my apartment depending on the traffic.
NeverBend
11-30-2015, 02:42 PM
Voted Rarely.
But my real answer is never.
Me as well.
My son took me to one and bought me a couple of sticks bit otherwise my answer is never. Here in NY you need public assistance to afford a pack of White Owls :).
I've been inside a few others but that was accompanying others. Sadly, very tough on these merchants.
fastnbulbous
12-05-2015, 12:28 AM
I used to be a regular during the winter, especially during football season. But have dropped off this year. The only time I go now is if I am going out with friends or to a show or something and I can make it out early.
I also don't really consider the places that I go to be B&Ms. They are more like bars that you are allowed to smoke cigars in. The issues mentioned in threads that were going around before about buying at a B&M to smoke at, I have never had an issue. I always bring my own, rarely buy a cigar, and have never caught a hint of negative from the establishment. I do always buy my share of drinks and sometimes food though. Yay Portland!
Billb1960
12-05-2015, 01:06 AM
I used to be a regular during the winter, especially during football season. But have dropped off this year. The only time I go now is if I am going out with friends or to a show or something and I can make it out early.
I also don't really consider the places that I go to be B&Ms. They are more like bars that you are allowed to smoke cigars in. The issues mentioned in threads that we're going around before about buying at a B&M to smoke at, I have never had an issue. I always bring my own, rarely buy a cigar, and have never caught a hint of negative from the establishment. I do always buy my share of drinks and sometimes food though. Yay Portland!
Which Portland places do you frequent fastnbulbous Adam? I go to the Mark in Beaverton quite a bit in the winter.
AlanS
12-05-2015, 01:28 AM
Which Portland places do you frequent fastnbulbous Adam? I go to the Mark in Beaverton quite a bit in the winter.
In the winter huh! Enjoy
fastnbulbous
12-05-2015, 01:26 PM
Which Portland places do you frequent fastnbulbous Adam? I go to the Mark in Beaverton quite a bit in the winter.
The Mark at the Shilo is my football spot! I haven't been there this year yet, but last year I was there almost weekly.
I also go to Greater Trumps and Kells, depending on where the nights activities are.
Billb1960
12-05-2015, 02:36 PM
The Mark at the Shilo is my football spot! I haven't been there this year yet, but last year I was there almost weekly.
I also go to Greater Trumps and Kells, depending on where the nights activities are.
Well we've definitely had a stogie or 2 together, just didn't know it!