Chicago Smoke Shops & Lounges
Here is our list of the very best smoke shops in the Chicago area, along with address and telephone info, plus website links. These are the shops that we trust for all our tobacco needs.
TESA CIGAR CO
464 North Halsted Street - Phone: 312-929-3075
We decided to kick off the list with Tesa Cigar Co, because it's an experience that you won't find in any other cigar shop. This is Chicago's best as far as private label cigars go. You may not find your favorites here--instead you'll find something brand new and better. Just tell them what you usually smoke and they'll point you to something in that same vein.
The humidor here is in fact the entire building. The owner (Chris Kelly) is passionate about smoking, and these fine cigars are rolled under his careful supervision in Nicaragua. The quality that you witness here is unparalleled.
The cigars themselves are displayed without cellophane for your viewing pleasure, and both Chris and his partner Brian will be happy to help you find the perfect cigar. They range from the most mild to the most full bodied.
The atmosphere is modern with lots of open space. There's a deck and a large screen television for you to enjoy while you're there, Bring your own drinks and enjoy this retreat from the usual!
IWAN RIES & CO.
19 South Wabash Avenue - Phone: 312-372-1306
Iwan Ries & Co is the oldest family owned tobacco store in America. If that's not a claim to fame then what is? For over one hundred and fifty years they have been bringing the same level of quality and sophistication to the downtown area.
The service here is absolutely top notch, just like it was in the good old days. Every box of cigars includes a bonus coupon, so when you've bought twelve boxes you get your thirteenth free! They often have specials and great sampler packs that you won't find anywhere else.
The selection of ashtrays and accessories is truly grand. You won't find fine wares like this anywhere else. Don't forget that they have plenty of lighters, tobacco, and pipes for your friends who don't smoke cigars!
BLUE HAVANA
856 W Belmont Avenue - Phone: (773) 242-8262
Blue Havana boasts Chicago's largest humidor, comprised of more than 700 square feet of imported cigars. They feature everything from pre-embargo Cuba to The Dominican Republic, from Mexica to Nicaragua.
Blue Havana hosts a cigar party on the first Friday of each month from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. You can sink into their rich leather chairs and enjoy a good smoke.
Their prices are a bit higher than any of the other cigar shops in the area, but you do get what you pay for here. Great atmosphere, incredibly high quality cigars, and a wider selection than you'll find anywhere else. HIGHLY recommended!
HUMIDOR
949 Burlington Avenue (in Downers Grove) - Phone: (630) 241-3399
Located a bit off the beaten path in Downer's Grove, it will be about a 25 minute drive from the downtown area to reach this fine cigar seller. They feature a complimentary cafe bar and comfortable lounge.
They sell premium cigars, pipes, and all types of accessories, and often host cigar and tobacco events. Those are always great opportunities to grab some limited seasonal cigars.
Head on over to Downer's Grove and settle into their cozy bar area with the fine leather seating. You'll never want to leave.
BELICOSO CIGAR LOUNGE
15443 South 94th Avenue (in Orland Park) - Phone: 708-226-9060
Located just a half hour drive outside of downtown Chicago, Belicoso Cigar Lounge is one of our absolute favorite places to indulge in the finest cigars. You can stock up on all your favorites here as well as some rare oddities, and enjoy smoking them in their cozy leather seating area.
They've got just about everything you can dream up, including these favorites: Arturo Fuente, Davidoff, Camacho, RP, Zino Platinum, Padron, Gurkha, and Avo Uvezian. Plus lots of accessories from Davidoff, Xikar, S. T. Dupont, and Dunhill.
You'll come in for the selection and stay for the atmopshere. Be sure to include this one on your party bus day trip to the great cigar bars and smoke shops in the Chicago area.
AA CIGAR & HOOKAH LOUNGE
5 North Route 53 (in Itasca) - Phone: 630-773-2520
AA Cigar & Hookah Lounge is a relaxing 40 minute drive to Itsaca from downtown Chicago, and making the trip is definitely worth your while. The space is well thought out, with separate areas curtained off for each party to enjoy their smokes in comfort and privacy.
The bean bag seating will take you back to your college days, and with fun hookah flavors like Skittles, you may even go a little further back in time. Once you sink down into those comfortable beanbags and start smoking your cigar or hookah, you'll never want to leave.
You can also buy all your favorite accessories here for cigar and hookah smoking, including tobacco, coals, cutters, and more. Their brand name cigars include Romeo Y Julieta, Ashton, Montecristo, Davidoff, Cohiba, and CAO.
They've got great specials every day of the week, but our favorite is every other Saturday when they have Lockdown Hookah. That's unlimited hookah for an entire night for just $15.00 per person!
TRADING POST TOBACCO & CIGARS
5510 West Devon Avenue - Phone: 773-763-8937
A Chicago classic, Trading Post Tobacco & Cigars couldn't be left off this list. You get a free house cigar with any purchase, and Monday thru Wednesday you'll love their special where you buy four get one free of equal or lesser value.
They stock all your favorites, and the featured blends are: Bad Boy Cigars, Hevix, Griffin, Dunhill, Monte Cristo, Don Diego, Cohiba, Punch, Lou Diancus, La Caya, Manacudo, Acid, Arturo Fuente, Hoya de Monterey, Romeo Y Juliet, and Camacho.
LA CASA DEL TOBACCO
1937 West North Avenue - Phone: 773-384-5225
We love La Casa Del Tobacco for their old fashioned atmosphere, giant selection of fine cigars, and wonderful hand rolled tobacco. Cigarette lovers will also want to take note that they stock plenty of fabulous imported cigarettes! We highly recommend this location.
UTOPIA CIGARS INC.
6355 West Montrose Avenue - Phone: 773-725-1810
Utopia Cigars truly is a utopia for the cigar lover. They have plenty going on here, from parties to rolling demonstrations. You truly haven't lived until you've smoked a freshly hand rolled cigar.
They've been in business since 1997, and they are truly the cigar experts of Chicago. Whether you're new to smoking or an old hand, they will make you feel right at home and help you find exactly what you're looking for.
They've got a private label and also carry every popular brand that you can think of. You can sign up for their VIP list and get exclusive specials too.
UP DOWN TOBACCO
1550 North Wells Street - Phone: 312-337-8025
This gem of a cigar shop has been in business for more than 40 years, and the owner, Diana Silvius, really knows her stuff. She knows all the owners of your favorite tobacco companies, from Ashton to Camacho to Davidoff, and the knowledge that she's gleaned from them definitely helps her to find the perfect cigar for you.
You'll find rare smoking culture items here like Merschaum pipes that you won't find anywhere else. Be sure to attend their parties in the smoking garden in the rear of the shop. You'll quickly become as loyal to this shop as we are, for their selection, conversation, and atmosphere.
JACK SCHWARTZ CIGARS
141 West Jackson Boulevard - Phone: 312-782-7898
Jack Schwartz Cigars has been in business since 1921, bringing the best Cigars into the Chicago area for distinguished consumers like yourself.
Their giant humidor stocks everything from Arturo Fuente to Zino, and everything in between. There are plenty of limited editions, accessories, and even tobacco and pipe tobacco here. Everything that has to do with smoking culture is housed within these hallowed walls.
RALPH'S CIGARS
1032 West Taylor Street - Phone: 312-829-0672
Ralph's has that old school touch that no other cigar shop has. This is the kind of place where you feel that you've stepped back in time as you're browsing the selection that's offered in their humidor.
We love to stop in and watch the games with the guys while smoking on a fat cigar. The warm and inviting atmosphere here just can't be replicated.
BURNING LEAF TOBACCO
1648 North Damen Avenue - Phone: 773-486-1643
If you're the type who knows what you want and you don't like to be knocked over by the staff as you're trying to browse quietly, you'll love Burning Leaf Tobacco. They understand that you're the expert when you walk into their shop, and they let you find what you're looking for. The atmosphere is nice and inviting, with well stocked shelves and a great selection of fine cigars.
AROUND THE WORLD TOBACCO
1044 West Belmont Avenue - Phone: 773-327-7975
Excellent cigar shop that's comfortable and unpretentious. The prices here just can't be beat, and the friendly attention from the owner is another plus. He'll help you to find anything that you're looking for and advise you on the best cigars in your taste and price range.
DONOFRIO'S DOUBLE CORONA
2058 West Chicago Avenue - Phone: 773-342-7820
Donofrio's Double Corona is a small neighborhood tobacco shop that everyone loves. Their humidor is a little small, but well packed with all the good stuff. The owner, Neil, is very friendly and nice to chat with while buying your favorite smokes.
The prices tend to be a little cheaper here than anywhere else, so even if it's a little further drive for you, it will be worth it.
HUBBARD AND STATE CIGAR SHOP
6 West Hubbard Street - Phone: 312-670-0687
Hubbard and State Cigar Shop is a small and cozy shop with a nice diverse selection of cigars. Raki (say "Rocky") is the owner and he's always available to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Their fine inventory of cigars includes Partagas, Litto Gomez/La Flor Dominicana, Padron, Camacho, Davidoff, Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta, and Ashton. And the best part? They can special order any brand that you like and ship them directly to you.
They also stock plenty of tobacco and smoker's accessories.
GUESS HOOKAH
3357 North Lincoln Avenue - Phone: 773-868-GUESS
Guess Hookah was once the most modern hookah lounge in the Chicago area, but they're now solely a hookah superstore.They're open every day from noon to 8:00 PM.
You'll love browsing their well-stocked shelves for all your favorite tobacco accessories. They sell hookahs, zippo lighters, flasks, incense, oils, sunglasses, buddhas, and so much more. Plus new and exciting tobacco flavors including Black Martini.
SWEET TOOTH
2030 West Chicago Avenue - Phone: 773-276-9211
Sweet Tooth is a hookah shop that features great prices on high quality hookahs, tobacco, and accessories. They also have plenty of incense and oils. Just about anything related to smoking culture can be found here, plus a gag gift or two just for laughs!
They're located just West of Damen on the north side of Chicago Avenue. You can visit them between noon and 10:00 PM Monday through Thursday, from noon to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.
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BINNY'S BEVERAGE DEPOT
213 West Grand Avenue - Phone: 312-332-0012
There are several Binny's locations in the Chicago area. The one we're referencing is the downtown location. They're open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and and on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Though Binny's is far from a tobacco shop--it's actually a discount liquor store--they happen to have a very nicely stocked humidor with excellent and inexpensively priced cigars. Their selections include El Baton, Patel Brothers, and Hoyo Excalibur.
Great place to stock up on both cigars and liquor for your home bar.
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