Cigars in LA

[The Prince, Moseley]

Folks, I am lucky enough to go to LA next week, where we have a couple of days before getting on our cruise ship for the Silver Wedding treat for my wife.

So anyone know a great cigar shop in LA. We are only there for a couple of nights but I would like to check out a good shop and maybe a lounge, if I could get around the membership requirements.

Also any BOTL experienced the Cigar Lounges on Cunard cruise ships? Are they any good? Should I take my own sticks or is the quality and value worth buying on board?

All comments appreciated.

Thanks Keith

[TJCoro]

Hard Times, Amigo!

Hello senor prince...I used to travel to LA for business quite often, but I don't recall ever coming across a top-notch cigar lounge, other than the occasional cigar shop. But then again, I usually travel with my own sticks.

There are, however, some mighty fine smoking venues in San Diego, which is about a two-hour drive south of LA. There's even a shop there that produces it's own sticks. And San Diego is just a few minutes from Tijuana, which is where you will find a very nice LCdH, managed by Moises - a must-visit every time I'm in that part of Mexico.

As far as smoking policies on cruise lines, many are tightening their already restrictive policies beginning in January 2012. You can Google the particular line you plan to take to see their policy. The Coros are taking a cruise stating from Venice next October on NCL - Jade. I just learned they are modifying their cigar smoking policy making it very restrictive - no smoking in your state room or the balcony, no smoking on deck near restaurants, no cigar bar, and so on.

I believe the line you are taking is less restrictive.

Good Luck and Happy Puffing!

Perro, el Perro.


Hey el P! Nobody told me about a cruise next year!!!


(Ahem!) An oversight, no doubt!

[Anthonyget]

Hi Keith,
Weird, I answered your post earlier, but hasn't come up. I'll try again.
There is a really nice place I liked a lot, called Hollywood Smokes in Santa Monica. I don't know if you'll venture there, but it is a fun part of LA and is very near the famous Venice Beach.
They have a great humidor, a few nice armchairs where you can "sample" your sticks and the owner is nice and very knowledgeable.
The address is:
3110 Main St
Ste 106
Santa Monica, CA 90405

they have a website: www.hollywoodsmoke.com

[James811]

Try and get in touch with Detroit Waves, he lives there about 6 months out of the year so I'm sure you won't find anyone with more info than him

[RickMG]

I don't know how long the mediators here will keep this link up but it's only a place to watch videos. The person who runs this is my cousin Steve Weinberg in L.A. I would say that he's the person you might want to contact for the answer to your question. Here's a website he is trying to help cigar smokers see reviews and like one of the links says, lounges, etc. Not much on it yet. Anyway, I would email him on the contact page and ask him.

As for Tijuana I would stay away from there. Lots of violence there the last year. I won't go further than that but it's not pretty. I used to go there once a month when I lived in L.A. many years ago, as my father had a beach home in Rosarita about 60 miles south of there. No way today. Here's the link:

http://www.cigartube.tv/Home_Page.html

By the way. California is one of the most expensive places to get cigars in the states. If your cruise goes to Puerto Vallarta there is a great little LCDH there in downtown. About the only place you can be guaranteed not to get fakes.

[TJCoro]

Risky Business?

...As for Tijuana I would stay away from there. Lots of violence there the last year. I won't go further than that but it's not pretty. I used to go there once a month when I lived in L.A. many years ago, as my father had a beach home in Rosarita about 60 miles south of there. No way today.

I'm going to take exception to part of the senor Midg's comments about Tijuana. I go to Tijuana and Rosarito (32 kilometers or 20 miles south of Tijuana) quite often and yes, Tijuana can be dangerous in certain areas (Red Zones) and a bit scary at night, but what major 3rd world city isn't. The border between the US and Tijuana is the most frequently crossed international border in the world. It heavily relies on the adult Americano tourists traffic during the day, where you can find some outrageous bargains, including leather goods and glass-top fauxhibas on about every corner. But stay away from the "cuban cigars" sold on the street at low, low prices.
There are only two places in Tijuana I trust, one of which is the LCdH.

So if you stick to the "tourist trail," which begins at the border, and go during the day, you will be okay. My suggestion, if you should decide to check it out, would be to get a cab once you walk across the border (don't drive across) and ask to be taken to the LCdH on Avenida Revolution (about a 5 minute ride). You'll likely find many Americano BOTL from So.California hanging out there. Ask for Moises (pronounced "Mosses"), who will take care of all your puro needs.

If you don't think you are ready for Tijuana, an alternative to LA would be to stop short of Mexico and visit the historic Gas Light district of San Diego - very cool and cigar-friendly, as I mentioned previously.


Perro, el Perro, and Tijuana ain't for the faint of heart, but it's an experience that shouldn't be missed!

Hey el P! I found by my blu-balls in Tijuana!


Haha! I know someone who lost 'em there!

[joeray]

Not sure why my earlier post is not showing up.

Here is a very nice place with a good selection and reasonable prices. the prices don't compare to online prices and keep in mind as some one else said earlier, California is very expensive for cigars due to taxes.

http://tobaccotraderusa.com/

Four Seasons hotel is the one of the most cigar friendly places in LA. Their outside seating is nice but again, it's kind of pricey.

[TJCoro]

I thought I say it!

Not sure why my earlier post is not showing up.

Interesting...is it possible you posted on the other thread "Where to buy cigars in LA?"

Perro, el Perro

[joeray]

Interesting...is it possible you posted on the other thread "Where to buy cigars in LA?"

Perro, el Perro

Good point, I didn't realize there is another thread on the same subject; Thread: Where to Buy in LA

[The Prince, Moseley]

Yes sorry guys I posted in the wrong place, so I then posted it in the right place. Hopefully. My apologies

[The Prince, Moseley]

What I mean is ... I posted my original post twice. Sorry

[TJCoro]

Are We There Yet?

What I mean is ... I posted my original post twice. Sorry

A wee bit excited, are we?


Ray Jay

[Detroit_Waves]

Hey Keith,

Not only do I spend half of my life in LA, but I also actually just came back from a cruise yesterday. Safe to say, I'm exhausted. Let me start with the cruise details. I don't have any experience with Cunard unfortunately as we traveled Holland America. There were no cigar lounges on board our ship which was a shame, but I wasn't expecting there to be one. You were completely free to smoke in any outdoor areas, including your balcony, but not in the room. You could also smoke freely in the casino, and the bar next to the casino but that was it.

Here is why I started with the cruise issue though, as I came across one problem. So, I had planned to take a few smokes with me for some sunset smoking on the balcony, so I phoned in advance to see if there would be any issue with me taking a cigar cutter with me. I was told that although there wasn't anything written, there was a chance when having my bags scanned, I may be told I wasn't allowed to bring it on board. I asked in advance, and knew there was a small selection of cigars on board for sale, so I decided to leave the cutter at home, just to avoid any issues. Second day into the cruise, I went to the store that had the cigars for sale, to see if I could borrow or buy a cutter. However, they didn't sell, or have any cutters on the ship. I had to wait until we got to Puerto Vallarta to get to a shop to buy one. I'm not entirely sure you would have any issues taking a cutter on board, but it might be worth a call before hand.

Where is the cruise heading to? Are you leaving from San Diego? I'm assuming Mexico or Hawaii if you are leaving California? The reason I ask is completely unrelated, but if you do leave from San Diego and youre setting sail in the afternoon, make sure youre outside somewhere you can see the SD skyline, as when the sun is just setting (about 5:27pm currently) SD has one of the most beautiful skylines you'll see.

Right, LA. The most important thing first of all, is where in LA will you be staying? As it's a pretty large place, and getting around isn't always the easiest. If you let me know where abouts youre staying, I'm sure ill be able to shoot some recommendations over to you. We do have some great shops scattered around.

As for lounges. There is only one I would recommend, and its the same one I recommend to everyone.

Buena Vista Cigar Lounge.

The address is: 9715 Santa Monica Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90210-4201

It's in the heart of Beverly Hills, just around the corner from Rodeo Drive, but don't let that put you off. If you can get there, you won't find a better place to go. (In fact if you do decide to, feel free to let me know, and I will happily come and join you if you want some company!) Its a beautiful little lounge, with a great selection, great drink selection and great company. It's owned by Rigo, who is a fascinating character who you can happily sit and talk to for hours. As he is the only one that works there, youre guaranteed to meet him. The prices are very reasonable, youre only worry would be if the wife decided to go take your wallet to Rodeo Drive whilst you were treating yourself to a smoke. Whenever friends come over and they want to smoke, this is the only place I will ever take them. It can be a little busy at times, especially on a Friday, but I've never not been able to find a place to sit. I can assure you, you won't leave disappointed! If youre peckish afterwards there are also a couple of great places to eat around the corner too that I can recommend.

There is a cigar shop almost every 500 yards or so it feels, but they only ever normally have one or two seats at the front of the store, and the locals are normally in their seats, everyone is always welcoming though.

There are a couple of other lounges I would recommend if you were not able to get to Buena Vista, but they are much further afield and would depend completely on where you were staying. Let me know, and ill let you know whats close!

[The Prince, Moseley]

Jay this was great advice and thanks for trying to hook up ... Hopefully next time. I did check out Buena Vista Cigar Club, it looked great on line but it was closed. This was a real pity but Still had a great time at Hollywood Smokes in Venice Beach. Good humidor with lovely big leather seats. Very friendly and helpful.