New Orleans is probably the most cigar friendly place in America.
Most bars permit cigar smoking. Restaurants are prohibited from allowing it indoors.
Cigars are available nearly everywhere, but are not always maintained in good condition. We suggest you make your purchases at our sponsoring locations (see below) and be assured of quality and condition.
In the French Quarter you can never be sure what something costs without asking. A "Big Ass Beer" can be $1 one place and $6 in another - same with cigars.
Cigars have been an important industry in
New Orleans for centuries. In 1903, it's reported that there
were 27 cigar factories in the city. Click
here for an interesting article on it.
415 Decatur St & 206 Bourbon St,
French Quarter
Owned by David Sharuf and run by his beautiful daughter Shawna,
this is the last cigar factory in New Orleans. They have three
different lines of cigars, all of which are worth a try (I
prefer the Vieux Carre and Tres Hermanos). The Decatur Street factory is
definitely worth a visit - they have tables and chairs to view
the rollers while sampling their wares. We especially suggest
their 10-cigar sampler to take home. See their web site
HERE.
Crescent
City Cigar Shop
730 Orleans Avenue, French Quarter (1/2 block off Bourbon St)
Crescent City is a very, very fine shop. And the owners, Armando is a
very the nicest tobacconist in the cigar business.
The shop has the largest walk-in humidor in the French Quarter and
some comfortable chairs to refresh your tired feet. See their
website
HERE.
Tell them you're with the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl and
they will shave a little off the price just to be kind.
Definitely worth a stop, and the Armando has been VERY
Generous to the CCCCC!!
Don Juan Cigar Company
3200 Severn Ave, Metairie, Louisiana
Don Juan
Cigar Co.’s mission is to create a refuge for the smoker of
fine handmade cigars. Whenever the CCCCC includes a dinner at
Drago's Seafood, we always visit Don Juan Cigar right across
the street. They offer the very best cigars in the region at the
most competitive prices. While their local store is in Metairie,
adjacent to New Orleans, they also have retail establishments on
the west bank in Gretna and in Baton Rouge. Don Juan Cigar is a fine
store, a generous retailer, and is owned by the largest
wholesaler in the State. Drop by and sample their wares!
Mayan Import Company320 Exchange Alley, French Quarter
3009 Magazine Street, Uptown New Orleans
Mayan Import Co. has been in business for over 10 years. But
unfortunately they haven't been on the
Cigar Crawl in past years. The reason is simple, their main Magazine
St store is waaaaay too far to walk.
But they have recently opened a new shop in the French Quarter. It is a small one on a small street, but it offers some of the better prices available to visitors. And since they have the resources of the largest humidor in New Orleans at their main store Uptown, they have a wider selection than you would expect for a shop their size.
Dos Jefes
Uptown Cigar Bar
5535 Tchoupitoulas Street, Uptown
Dos
Jefes is a large, comfortable and friendly
neighborhood cigar establishment well outside the French
Quarter. First quality liquor, a lush patio or indoor ambiance,
good music most every night, and competitively-priced cigars -
what's not to like? Take a cab (about $10 from the FQ).
Le Booze at the Royal Sonesta
Hotel
300 Bourbon Street, French Quarter
The Le Booze Bar in the Royal Sonesta Hotel is the unofficial cigar bar of the Crescent City Crawfish Cigar Crawl. It's a fine informal bar in the 'Quarter with the best libations open to the passing show on Bourbon Street. They have a small selection of popular cigars and the nicest people you ever wanted to meet. Le Booze is possibly the best place on Bourbon Street to "people watch"!
Don
Leoncio Cigars
430 Canal St, Central Business District
Three relatives, Juan, Ysidoro and Luis Rodriguez, started their own line of premium cigars a few years ago. They sell a good product in a wide range of sizes and blends. And their spacious humidor and large beautiful lounge is just a block and one half from Harrah's Casino on Canal St, the widest thoroughfare in America! Don Leoncio is certainly worth your time.
Arnaud's
French 75 Cigar Bar
813 Bienville, French Quarter (1/2 block off Bourbon St)
Arnaud's Restaurant has been
offering New Orleans hospitality and fine dining since 1918. The
French
75 Cigar Bar is undoubtedly the most
deluxe and luxurious spot to enjoy
a cigar in the city. The drink menu is extensive, from the
cocktail for which the bar is named -- a heady concoction of
brandy and champagne -- to a dizzying selection of martinis and
other mixed drinks, scotches, whiskeys, wine and beer. The
French 75 Bar is open seven days from 5 p.m. and is definitely
the place to bring your significant other for a cocktail before
or after dinner.
Reverend
Zombie's Voodoo Shop
725 St. Peter St, French Quarter (1/2 block off Bourbon St)
Rev. Zombies Voodoo Shop is a one stop Voodoo center where you can pick up the appropriate voodoo talisman, buy a book on the occult, or select an unusual religious candle or object d'art. Get the perfect souvenir for that hard to satisfy person back home! And pick up a cigar on the cigar shop side to offer to the spirits while you are in town.