Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur seeking a plush lounge with the perfect pour or a casual stogie aficionado who just wants a relaxing spot to puff with friends, I got you covered. Overall, there are many great options for cigars in Albany. Our top choice for best spot for cigars in Albany is Turn up Smoke & Gift Shop, but there are many to choose from.
Our list covers the top cigar havens in Albany, NY, catering to all walks of the cigar world. Fancy a place with top-shelf drinks and leather armchairs? We have it. Craving a chill hangout with a no-nonsense vibe? You bet. Looking to stock up on your favorite smokes, by the stick or the box? Yep, got that too. So, light up a metaphorical pre-amble cigar, settle in, and let’s explore the best cigar experiences Albany has to offer!
Top 3 Cigars Spots in Albany
1. Turn up Smoke & Gift Shop, 5/5
2. Todd’s Back Room Cigar Lounge, 5/5
3. Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe, 5/5
Guide to Choosing a Cigar Lounge & Shop in Albany, NY
Choosing the right cigar spot in Albany isn’t just about the sticks, folks. There are many factors to consider for that perfect cigar sanctuary. First off, let’s talk budget. Are you rolling in dough, ready to drop some serious cash on fancy drinks and premium lounge memberships? Or you more of a kick-back-and-relax smoker on a budget?
What about selection? If you’re just looking for common cigars then most places will be ok, but if you’re looking for limited edition cigars or boutique brands, know that not every spot will have what you’re looking for.
Next up, lockers. If you’re a regular, having a personal humidor at the lounge is clutch – no more hauling your sticks around!
Then there’s the booze situation. Do they have a full bar with your favorite whiskeys, or are you stuck with a limited selection? Bonus points if you’re allowed to bring your own and not pay an opening or corking fee.
Finally, consider the vibe. Some spots get crazy crowded, while others have a mellow, laid-back feel.
Picking the right spot means matching your preferences and taking all these factors into account.
10 Best Cigars Lounges and Shops in Albany
1. Turn up Smoke & Gift Shop
Rating: 5/5
Phone:
Address: 25 State St Schenectady, NY 12305 United States
Website:
About: Specialities We have all Items that Smoke Shop sells
2. Todd’s Back Room Cigar Lounge
Rating: 5/5
Phone: (518) 451-9871
Address: 40 Eagle St Albany, NY 12207 United States
Website: albanycigar.com
About: Todd’s Back Room Cigar Lounge is your source for cigars in Albany. Visit Todd’s Back Room Cigar Lounge’s website for more information about hours and selection.
3. Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe
Rating: 5/5
Phone: (518) 238-3781
Address: 528 N Greenbush Rd Rensselaer, NY 12144 United States
Website: habanahappenings.com
About: Specialities Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe features large smoking lounges with leather chairs, flat screen televisions and surround sound systems. Private Lockers are available to our customers that provide a humidity-controlled convenience to enjoy your favorite smokes. For the latest listing of events, check out our website at HabanaHappenings.com History Established in 1996. Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe was founded in 1996 with humble beginnings by Scott Bendett. Over the years, Scott grew his business from a tiny mall kiosk to brick and mortar stores in Colonie and North Greenbush, New York. Scotty and Habana Premium have been featured in Pipes & Tobacco Magazine, Tobacconist Magazine, Bride’s Magazine, New York Sun, Times Union, Capital Region Business Review and more. His dedication to providing a huge range of quality products with incredibly knowledgeable staff has proven to be a winning combination, having consistently been voted #1 Cigar Shop in both the Times Union and Metroland annual reader polls. Meet the Business Owner Business owner information Scott B. Business Owner Scott Bendett is a true entrepreneur – starting, operating, and being involved with many businesses over the last 25 years. Scott graduated from Niskayuna HS and attended the State University of New York at Albany where he wrestled and was a founding father of his school’s chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Leaving college before earning a diploma forced Scott to become industrious and entrepreneurial at a young age in order to achieve his goals. Scott founded StockComm, Inc. in 1992, an Investor Relations Firm in Manhattan which was sold upon his moving back to the Capital Region. In 1996, Scott started Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe, which became one of the leading tobacco stores in the country and the largest in Upstate New York. In 1999, Scott founded PipesAndCigars.com in order to complement his brick-and-mortar business. 13 years later when he sold the website business to Cigars International, PipesAndCigars.com had become the largest retailer of pipes and tobacco
4. Clever Smoke Shop
Rating: 5/5
Phone: (518) 309-5566
Address: 1875 Central Ave Colonie, NY 12205 United States
Website:
About: Specialities All in one Smoke shop and convenience store for all smoking items and accessories ranging from vapes, kratom, glass pipes, Premium Vaporizer, CBD, Premium cigars and hookahs. Wide variety of cigars and Kraft Beer that will leave you bewildered.
5. Castle Cigars
Rating: 5/5
Phone: (518) 357-8074
Address: 2666 Hamburg St Schenectady, NY 12303 United States
Website: castlecigars.com
About: Castle Cigars is your source for cigars in Albany. Visit Castle Cigars’s website for more information about hours and selection.
6. Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe
Rating: 4.5/5
Phone: (518) 690-2222
Address: 1645 Central Ave Albany, NY 12205 United States
Website: habanahappenings.com
About: Specialities Welcome to Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe! We have two convenient locations in the Capital Region. We have been voted the Best Cigar/Tobacco Store by every survey multiple times. In fact, if you’re into cigars, we are a must stop! Both of our tobacco stores have a large in-store smoking lounge. Enjoy your favorite pipe or cigar in our well appointed smoking lounges featuring flat screen TV’s and leather chairs. Our lounges are also available for rental. Whether you’re looking for pipes, pipe tobacco, roll-your-own cigarettes, hookahs, vape, CBD or our specialty, premium cigars in Albany or N. Greenbush NY (or throughout the Capital Region) Habana is your one stop tobacconist. Visit our website “Habana Happenings” www.habanahappenings.com where you will learn about all of the upcoming events that we’re planning for our cigar and pipe smokers. We host annual events such as “HabanaPalooza” as well as events promoting your favorite cigar makers such as CAO, Perdomo, Fuente and many others. Contests, give-aways and special events will be listed there so you don’t miss any of the cigar smoking excitement! If you’re visiting our town, it is likely we will be hosting an event to make your stay all the more pleasant. Please also visit our other location at 528 N. Greenbush Road, N. Greenbush NY 12144 History Established in 1996. Habana started in 1996 by Scott Bendett with 15 boxes of cigars in a kiosk in front of Macy’s in Colonie Center. Today, now in our third and largest location, Habana is one of the leading tobacconists in the Untied States. Habana boasts one of the largest selections of cigars in NYS, maybe even the entire USA. Meet the Business Owner Business owner information Scott B. Business Owner Scott Bendett is a true entrepreneur – starting, operating, and being involved with many businesses over the last 25 years. Scott graduated from Niskayuna HS and attended the State University of New York at Albany where he wrestled and was a founding father of his school’s chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Leaving college before earning a diploma forced Scott to become industrious and entrepreneurial at a young age in order to achieve his goals. Scott founded StockComm, Inc. in 1992, an Investor Relations Firm in Manhattan which was sold upon his moving back to the Capital Region. In 1996, Scott started Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe, which became one of the leading tobacco stores in the country and the largest in Upstate New York. In 1999, Scott founded PipesAndCigars.com in order to complement his brick-and-mortar business. Thirteen years later in 2012, Scott sold the website business to Cigars International, but still operates his two retail establishments. Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe also recommends Chris’ Coffee Service 54 Coffee & Tea Shops, Coffee Roasteries Scott B. says, “We do business with them and they’re good people.”
7. That’s A Great Cigar Shoppe
Rating: 4.5/5
Phone: (518) 346-4052
Address: 180 Erie Blvd Schenectady, NY 12305 United States
Website: thatsagreatcigarshoppe.com
About: Specialities Cigars are the specialty at this shoppe. Our prices are average, and it is a great place to come and relax. History Established in 2009. We opened at this location in 2009 under a single ownership. As of 11-11-2015 the new owners have lowered the prices and made some changes to the shop. On any given day you will find one of the two owners (or both) relaxing in the lounge with a nice cigar. Meet the Business Owner Business owner information Tom and Omar D. Business Owner Tom and Omar are long time cigar smokers and are very knowledgeable in the cigar business!!
8. Edleez Tobacco
Rating: 4/5
Phone: (518) 489-6872
Address: 1475 Western Ave Stuyvesant Plaza Albany, NY 12203 United States
Website: edleez.com
About: Edleez Tobacco is your source for cigars in Albany. Visit Edleez Tobacco’s website for more information about hours and selection.
9. Albany War Room Tavern
Rating: 4/5
Phone: (516) 312-6573
Address: 42 Eagle St Albany, NY 12207 United States
Website: albanywarroom.com
About: Specialities The only fine dining sushi and steak house in the Albany Region with a chic lounge that offers live music, Voted the best sushi north of Manhattan in Zagat The decor is historical with memorabilia and artifacts New York State politics. Located in a 1890 brownstone and adjacent to cigar lounge.
10. Chili’s
Rating: 2.5/5
Phone: (518) 489-4664
Address: 60 Wolf Rd Colonie, NY 12205 United States
Website: chilis.com
About: Chili’s is your source for cigars in Albany. Visit Chili’s’s website for more information about hours and selection.
Basic Cigar Lounge Etiquette
Alright, so you’re ready to venture into a cigar lounge and be a respectable member of the smoky community. Here’s a quick rundown of some essential cigar lounge etiquette tips:
Cut and toast your own cigar. Most lounges provide tools, but don’t expect staff to do this for you. It’s part of the ritual!
Ask before lighting up next to someone. You might love the smell, but always be courteous to others.
Dispose of ashes and bands properly. Use the ashtrays, and keep the lounge clean.
Respect the cigars. Don’t handle other people’s smokes without permission, and avoid putting your mouth directly on someone else’s stick.
Mind your smoke. Try to direct smoke away from others. A breezy day calls for extra careful puffing!
Keep the noise down. Lounges are meant for relaxation and conversation, so try not to disrupt the vibe.
Tip the staff. Just like at a bar, tipping your servers is a sign of appreciation and good etiquette.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re new to the scene, don’t hesitate! Most lounge regulars are happy to offer guidance.
Remember, a good cigar lounge is about enjoying your smokes in a welcoming and respectful environment.
View more New York cigar shops here: https://scotchcigars.com/cigar-shops-lounges/new-york/
