03/06/09

Best Cigar Lounge

by BOTL29

I visited TESA's lounge after seeing them online, I had never heard of them before. I was shocked that I didn't know about a lounge like this in my hometown. They are fairly new and offer their own brands from their factory, some very tasty smokes! The guy was extremely helpful and polite in selecting a blend and even cut and lit it for me...a place with service? What's not to love. A must if you smoke cigars and are in Chicago!

• Pros: Smoking, service, comfortable, upscale

03/02/09

Chicagos Cigar Heaven

by Riley42

Strolling down Grand I came across a neon beacon that reads cigars, it calls to me. Chicago is flush with cigar stores, this one is truly a different experience. As I walk in I am treated to a giant wall of cigars, said to number about 30,000, truly an impressive sight. The store also has a very nicely appointed lounge area, they said the largest in the city, with leather chairs, Wi-Fi, and HD-TV. It gets better, they are B.Y.O.B.! Finally I can have my cocktail and smoke my cigar at the same time in a comfortable environment. The cigars were wonderful, layout was superb, and the staff was gracious and extremely knowledgeable. These guys knocked it out of the park! A Chicago destination must.

• Pros: Ambience, service, smoking, B.Y.O.B

University Village tobacconist offers custom blends direct from a Nicaragua factory as well as Drew Estates and vintage cigars.

by Ryan Ptomey

In Short
Bundles and cases of handrolled cigars along the walls greet customers with a delightfully complex symphony of tobacco scents. Comfy leather chairs and a big screen invite cigar aficionados to enjoy their cigars in good company at the store, and well-lit modern decor that avoids stuffed hunting trophies and other cigar shop cliches makes sure that the ladies won't want to stay miles away while their mates browse the selection.