533 Toulouse St.

New Orleans, LA 70130

504-372-4838

cigarbarnola.com

Cuban Creations bills itself as the only French Quarters Cigar Bar and they are correct in the sense that they have set out to be a cigar bar and have not been a cigar store that sells cigars and happens to have chairs. It is an interesting little place; it has an area with comfortable chairs, big screen televisions and serves a good selection of both cigars and drinks. I personally prefer sitting at the bar which is by the front door, especially during the evening.

With the patio type doors open, you see and feel the street and talking to the help, one can pick up some interesting details of local happenings. Want to hear the latest details on the doctor who tucked his wife in and went for a stroll only to be found dead in a dicey part of town? You can get the up to the minute details. Who are some of the more interesting characters on the street? The staff will know.

The drinks are good, a good selection of cigars and a bonus as you feel more in touch with the city. It is not right on Bourbon street so it has more of a real touch to it.

19 St. James St, London SWIA IES

This is the oldest cigar shop in the U.K., going back over 200 years. Located just around the corner from Jerymn St., the hearth of London’s fashion district for men, it has a full selection of excellent cigars and pip tobaccos. One real treat is their museum where you can sit in a chair used by Winston Churchill when he would come by for a cigar, or you can view the order book where you find that Oscar Wilde never paid his bill or that Churchill gave an order for cigars for a relative (good cigars but not that good, after all, Winston did have to watch his funds). Upstairs you can enjoy a cigar (sorry, no cognac or hard liquor) and you are liable to meet some very interesting individuals. Visiting Fox is a step back in history that if fun and educational. Watch this video for a good overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uorb182UhH4

11 Knightsbridge, London

855-407-6644

The Wellesley, a smaller high end hotel is only a few blocks from Harrods, so it can be a great place to escape after the crowds in the store.

150 Piccadilly

Monday-Sunday 10am-11pm

Located next to the Rivoli Bar, this attractive room offers the weary shopper or businessman a comfortable shelter from the craziness that can be London. Aside from an excellent humidor with all the top Cuban cigars, they also offer a line of Ritz cigars which are hand rolled in the Dominican Republic using tobaccos from Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Rokin 96

1012 KZ Amsterdam

020-623-7494

www.hajenius.com

Walking in the rain of Amsterdam can be a bit tiring or you may be feeling quite victorious for not being run over the the bicyclists (who seem to believe that they totally own the roads). When that time comes and you want to have a good cigar, I recommend Hajenius; they not only have an excellent selection of Cuban brands (if you are heading to London, pick up your Cubans here as they are much less expensive than in London), and a great exhibit of beautiful humidors and accessories, but they also have their own brand which features Sumatra tobacco harking back to colonial times (they were founded in 1826)

Morton’s Steak House

1641 W. Sunflower Ave.

Santa Ana CA  92704

(714) 444-4834

www.mortons.com/santaana

This Morton’s has a covered patio just outside of the bar area.  They serve full meals and drinks along with the bar menu and cigar smoking is permitted.  Thanks to the typical California weather it is available throughout the year and the patio does have electric heaters for those cooler evenings.  In case of the rare rain, covers can be let down to protect the area. There is also a large screen television on one wall where sporting events can be viewed.  Service is of a standard you would expect at a Morton’s, so smokers feel welcomed. Although you are outside, the area is quiet and away from traffic so it you feel a bit sheltered from South Coast Plaza which is just across the street. 

Club Macanudo

26 E. 63^rd. St

New York New York 10065

212-752-8200

www.clubmacanudo.com

As with most cities, normally the only place to enjoy a cigar is outside.  Of course, New York has such wonderful weather which provides plenty of rain, heat, humidity, snow and freezing temperatures so the idea of lighting up a good cigar and being able to enjoy it requires your beating the odds.

There are numerous videos on the web on how to set up your humidor but this one is pretty good.  Remember that if you are just starting out, do the basics the right way and you will eliminate problems down the road.