Cigar Lounge vs. Cigar Bar vs. Cigar Shop: What’s the Difference?
In the U.S., cigar culture continues to thrive and grow, especially since 2020, but it doesn’t look the same everywhere. Walk into a cigar shop in one city, a cigar bar in another, and a cigar lounge across town, and you’ll notice right away that they aren’t interchangeable. Each type of establishment has its own purpose, its own customer culture, and despite our desires, is shaped by the laws in its area. If you’ve ever wondered why one place feels like a retail errand while another feels like a night out, here’s the breakdown.
A cigar shop with no indoor smoking
Davidoff cigar shop
Cigar Shops: The Retail Core
At their simplest, cigar shops are just that—retail stores that sell cigars and related accessories. Think humidors, cutters, lighters, and sometimes pipes or pipe tobacco. Whether you’re able to cut and light a cigar in-store entirely depends on state or local laws about indoor smoking. In some places, like California, you may only be able to make your purchase and leave. In others, such as Florida, the shop might have a small smoking lounge area attached. The line between cigar shop and cigar lounge is blurred based on who’s looking. Some might consider any shop you can sit and smoke in to be a lounge. Some others might not consider it a lounge unless there’s a dedicated atmosphere meant to host you for a few hours. For the purpose of this guide, I’ll be referring to cigar shops as retail establishments who only sell cigars and do not allow indoor smoking.
The customer service style in shops leans heavily on product expertise. Staff are usually there to guide you toward the right cigar for your taste and budget, educate you on how to store it, and keep the humidors in pristine condition. If you’re there to learn and stock up, this is where you’ll find your most reliable advice.
The Brig Cigar Lounge in Erie, Pennsylvania
The Brig Cigar Lounge in Erie, Pennsylvania
Cigar Lounges: The Social Space
Cigar lounges are designed for comfort and community. Unlike shops, which prioritize selling, lounges prioritize the experience of smoking. Expect leather chairs, big screens playing sports, maybe some quiet jazz in the background.
Most lounges sell cigars directly, while others require you to bring your own (depending again on licensing and local laws). Alcohol is a dividing line here: in states where smoking and alcohol can’t legally be served in the same establishment or where having a liquor license is a royal pain, you’ll often see BYOB policies instead of a bar menu. The Brig Cigar Lounge in Erie, Pennsylvania is one of those!
Culturally, lounges have more of a relaxed and social vibe. People come to spend time, not just buy cigars. Regulars get to know one another, and staff often function more like hosts than salespeople.
Ashton Cigar Bar in Pennsylvania - A bar first, a cigar lounge second
Cigar bars allow the consumption of alcohol and cigars in the same building
Cigar Bars: Cigars Meet Nightlife
Cigar bars combine the atmosphere of a lounge with the energy of a bar. They’re licensed to sell alcohol, and the pairing of spirits with cigars becomes part of the main draw. Think whiskey flights, craft cocktails, and curated cigar menus designed to complement the drinks.
Not every state allows this. In fact, many prohibit smoking anywhere food or alcohol is served indoors, which is why cigar bars are rarer and usually concentrated in states with exemptions for tobacco-focused businesses. Where they are legal, though, cigar bars tend to attract a mix of cigar enthusiasts and nightlife seekers. Service is typically faster-paced and oriented around hospitality, with bartenders and servers guiding pairings just as much as cigar staff.
Again, the line is somewhat blurry in the colloquial use of the term “cigar bar”. A cigar lounge with a BYOB policy as mentioned above might quality as a great cigar bar to the patron arriving with friends and a nice bottle of scotch!
BYOB at The Brig Cigar Lounge in Erie, Pennsylvania
A Note on Cigar Clubs
Separate from these three, some cities have private cigar clubs. These are usually membership-only, often located in upscale spaces with tailored amenities like lockers for storing your cigars, fine dining, or exclusive events. Clubs deserve their own category, but it’s useful to know they exist if you’re exploring the full range of cigar culture.
Conversely, some lounges, bars, and shops might have their own “club”, which doesn’t limit access to only members, but allows for another level of access than the walk-in customer. This might be a locker membership, a cigar pairing/tasting club, any number of types of membership. Again, this doesn’t mean that an establishment is necessarily “members-only”, so do your due diligence before writing off a new lounge.
Lockers at The Brig Cigar Lounge in Erie, Pennsylvania
Why the Distinctions Matter
If you’re new to cigars, knowing the difference saves you from walking into the wrong type of place with the wrong expectations. If you want to sit for an hour and enjoy a cigar, a shop may not have the setup you need. If you’re hoping for a lively evening with cocktails, a lounge without a liquor license will disappoint. And if you’re traveling, always check local laws before assuming smoking and drinking can happen together indoors.
At the end of the day, cigar shops, lounges, and bars are all part of the same culture, just expressed in different ways. The best approach is to try them all, learn what feels right for you, and enjoy the unique atmosphere each one offers.
