http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/ Luxist Comments for Rules for Visiting a Cigar Lounge http://www.luxist.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/Apr 1st 2009 2:53PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/Apr 1st 2009 2:54PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/
At the Carnegie Club in Manhattan, there is a $10 cutting fee, unless you're sitting at the bar. Of course, you're expected to drink, which makes sense. I've been to Lexington Bar and Books with my own sticks and wasn't charged a cutting fee when I sat at the bar.

If you're going to a shop with a lounge, you could always buy the cheapest cigar in the humidor and then smoke your own. It's not really appropriate (imagine buying a steak at The Palm and carrying it to a table at McDonald's), but you can usually get away with it. ]]>Apr 1st 2009 8:39PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/
Both the staff and patrons are, in fact, pricks. The typical customer is as you describe... ignorant, obnoxious, and boastful. It's like a used car salesmen convention. The employees are, apparently, those who stuck around long enough without taking a hint.

When I want to buy cigars, I have two choices nearby... I can go to the shop where the staff treats me like a shoplifter (seriously, who steals cigars?) yet acts like it's a huge inconvenience to accept my money in exchange for their goods. Or, I can go to the store where I'm greeted with a look that seems to say "Can't you see we're having a conversation about the underage girl from the Dippin' Dots stand? Go away!" In my experience, this is typical of every shop in the Washington D.C. area.

I don't need cigars, and I smoke less because I find the cigar shop experience unpleasant. For most people, I think, cigars are a superfluous luxury, not to mention, a waning fad. It's simply bad business to cultivate an environment where customers are ostracized.

No other business operates in this manner. When I visit a wine shop, I'm treated like royalty. What's different about tobacco?

However, I must say, the cigar shops I've visited on the West coast have been entirely pleasant. The proprietors are cool and friendly. They act like someone who's passionate about cigars rather than a security guard at a nicotine dispensary.]]>Apr 2nd 2009 7:14AMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/
Both the staff and patrons are, in fact, pricks. The typical customer is as you describe... ignorant, obnoxious, and boastful. It's like a used car salesmen convention. The employees are, apparently, those who stuck around long enough without taking a hint."

Thank you very much for this observation. This has been my experience as well.

And while I respect the author's "rules", I think it makes it abundantly clear to me that a cigar lounge is nowhere that I want to be. I'll enjoy my smokes at home without all the snobbery and the hyper-inflated costs and fees, thank you very much.]]>Apr 2nd 2009 2:02PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/Apr 2nd 2009 3:42PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/
Pacific coast is the best in friendliness not in price..

Atlantic coast arrogant knowitall, SOB`s for the most part..

mid USA....? a good mix, the price of LA and the arrogance of NY.....
]]>Apr 3rd 2009 12:53PMhttp://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/http://www.luxist.com/2009/04/01/rules-for-visiting-a-cigar-lounge/
I too appreciate your frustrations. Depending on how far it is, I suggest you try Bethesda tabacco, on Del Ray Ave in downtown Bethesda. It's a new location for an old business but the atmosphere, the selection and the staff are all top notch, welcoming and laid back. That being said, it's not the cheapest place I have ever been to.]]>Apr 9th 2009 5:16AM