Shops to visit in New York City?

[Requiem]

What pipe shops to visit in NYC?
What about smoking lounges?

I've been taking a look at the NYC threads here in puff.com, but they are mostly about cigar places...

Thanks, guys.

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Requiem

What pipe shops to visit in NYC?
What about smoking lounges?

I've been taking a look at the NYC threads here in puff.com, but they are mostly about cigar places...

Thanks, guys.

I'm in (near) NYC and boy do we have a bunch of grouchy anti-fun un-smoker-friendly idiots around here. I'm sure there are some hidden away but I'm afraid I don't know any

[Requiem]

I've taken the adresses of places like:

De La Concha Cigars - between 56th & 57th street
Three Little Indians - at Grand Street (Little Italy)
Davidoff stores - one at Madison Ave., other at Columbus Circle
Merchants East - a cigar lounge w/ live jazz at First Ave.

is it strictly forbidden to smoke indoors at NYC, now?
what about outdoors smoking? I ear you can´t even smoke outside at some places?

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Requiem

I've taken the adresses of places like:

De La Concha Cigars - between 56th & 57th street
Three Little Indians - at Grand Street (Little Italy)
Davidoff stores - one at Madison Ave., other at Columbus Circle
Merchants East - a cigar lounge w/ live jazz at First Ave.

is it strictly forbidden to smoke indoors at NYC, now?
what about outdoors smoking? I ear you can´t even smoke outside at some places?

All commercial or "public" buildings are entirely non-smoking. The "designated" smoking areas are usually placed next to the garbage dumpsters or other icky locations. Smoking in city parks is banned, they snuck that one in a few years ago and just started enforcing it (they need the cash from fines). Note that a "park" is any area that is under the purview of the NYC Parks Dept (i.e. where they can write summonses), which includes standalone benches (with nary a bush in sight) and concrete paved areas (aka parking lots). A green/white/black maple leaf logo is often your only warning sign.

All restaurants, no smoking. Smoking in bars is banned! Friggin' moron mayor. Most bars promptly went out of business a few years ago. There was an exclusion for "existing cigar bars" but the definition was so narrow that most cigar bars were shut down. The few left are barely hanging on, not to mention selling sticks for 4x the price to break even. Hotel rooms, I do not know (haven't stayed in a hotel in NY in a decade). Taxi cabs, no smoking. Bus/trains, obviously no smoking, sitting is optional since they are usually overcrowded. Hospitals, no smoking, although you are allowed to drop dead while waiting for service in the emergency room (average wait, 6 hours).

Some outdoor cafes in Little Italy probably allow smoking - but be prepared to hide the smokes should the ticket-wielding cops show up. The city is broke, and they are busy writing summonses for everything. They just gave a $100 fine on a house that had a fire, the wife was killed, the city wrote a summons for "debris in the yard" which was really the remnants of their belongings after the fire.

[drastic_quench]

NYC is a nice town for a cigar. Some of my best memories were walking down 5th Avenue puffing on a big stogie.

Here's some bars that I've been to are awesome and on the cheaper side of things. You can smoke out front - which isn't too shabby (no dumpsters, nice girls [if she smokes, she pokes]).

McSorley's: 15 East 7th Street, Great Irish pub - tons of history, been there forever

Off the Wagon: 109 McDougal Street, down near NYU. One of the best dive bars I've been to. Gets packed early. Assuming they're still doing it, half price drinks from 2-8 pm every day.

Down the Hatch: 179 West 4th Street, relatively close to Off the Wagon, I think they're owned by the same people. Another dive bar. Fairly good wings and more drink specials. Great atmosphere.

Here's some bars I found online that advertise smoking lounges. Perfect for pipes, but you might want to give them a call to see if this info is current. I can't attest to the atmosphere or prices at these places.

Buddha Bar

25 Little West 12th St., New York, NY; Tel. 212.647.7314
If attaining Nirvana, kneeling before a giant Buddha, savoring braised short ribs or sipping a mango infused cocktail is on your list of things to do, you might do well to visit the Buddha Bar. This restaurant-cum-temple in the Meat Packing district blends the eclectic styles of Europe and Asia to create a culturally-hip venue for the famous and non-famous alike to retreat to when seeking enlightenment served up with a twist. The main dining room is bright and presided over by a 17-foot smiling Buddha, and the lounge area is filled with cushy couches and silky opium den-like enclaves complete with red-glass chandeliers. There's even a glass-encased area in the middle which acts as a primo smoking lounge for those who need a mid-ascension nicotine break.

Circa Tabac

32 Watts St., New York, NY; Tel. 212.941.1781
Cozied up under the arm of some grandfathered law and nifty loophole, Circa Tabac is one of the few remaining places where smokers can get their fix with their drinks. The bar sells over a hundred types of cigarettes from all over the world as well as a hefty list of cigars, which perfectly compliment the primo list of spirits and cocktails. There's also a funky, culturally-schizophrenic menu of treats like lamb, pigs in a blanket and filet mignon croissant sandwiches. Circa Tabac often gets packed in the later hours with people unapologetically puffing away and listening to jazz, rock and hip-hop. Air purifiers help to keep the space breathable.

Shebeen

202 Mott Street, New York NY; Tel. 212.685.1105
Though this trendy bar in New York's Little Italy is sleek and sophisticated, it lacks the drama and pretension that can ruin the loveliest of locales. It's comfortable, chill vibe makes it easy to focus on the brilliance of the bar menu. A wide array of specialty beverages and martinis are sure to please. Grab a seat at the bar and watch the expert mixologist whip up ginger, lychee or strawberry balsamic martinis. Complete with an indoor smoking lounge, Shebeen is on the list of New York nightlife's most relaxing destinations.

[Requiem]

Thanks to both of you, that's very helpfull.

[Z.Kramer]

I visited a few a couple shops myself about two weeks ago. I highly recommend stopping in Nat Sherman which is on 42nd and 5th I believe. That is where I found the best service and least snobbishness. It is also aesthetically impressive in my opinion. They are primarily a cigar shop but have a good selection of pipes and there own blends of tobacco (which are quite good).

De La Concha is a good stop to make. You are going to have to get someone's specific attention to get some help, but they are pretty nice otherwise. They have a ton of house blends and an excellent selection of tinned tobaccos. They have some really nice pipes as well.

I also stopped at Barclay Rex on my mini tour, but I found both the staff and the clientele extremely snobby and standoffish.

[Mister Moo]

I wouldn't go too far out of my way for this but if you find yourself walking around 5th Ave and 46th St. in NYC...

JR Cigars - 562 Fifth Ave. at 46th St.

[freespirit]

Hi everyone !

I' goin to New York also .. . do you any other cigar stores suggestions ?.. also does anybody knows if the prices are similar from one place to another...?

Thanks !

[Jack Straw]

I stopped by the Nat Sherman place today, pretty nice! Very friendly, although the "niceness" of the place was a bit intimidating. I'm use to more down home type shops.

Also smoked a half a bowl in Madison Square Park, don't tell anyone!

[Rubix^3]

Cigar Inn is a great shop with a fantastic high-end selection. Also have a smoke at Merchants while your there--just a couple blocks away:

Merchants NY Cigar Bar

[ghe]

Both Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Snob have recently had features on cigar shops in NYC. Might be worth checking out.