What's a good cigar store in Chicago? I'm in town for a coupla days and figured that there has to be some good ones here. The downtown area, specifically the Garden Hilton is where I'm staying.






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Up Down Tobacco at 1550 n wells is THE cigar shop in chicago. 400 types of cigar on display 1400 in stock if I remember correctly. I just picked up a couple of OPUS and a PAN there today. Very knowledgeable staff from the two times I have been there. I live in the burbs now myself so I cant make it there regularly.

WHat are you in town for?

Thankin' you defcon. That is just the info I was looking for. I'm in town to attend the RSNA (Radiological Society of North America) annual trade show and convention being held at McCormick place.

Iwan Reis is great. Can't tell you the exact address. Ask for Kevin. Hill show you the set that was used in U.S. Marshals with Wesley Snipes. They used the store for a shoot!...octo

Jack Schwartz is right around the corner from Iwan Reise.

Take a trip north of the city to Skokie (borders Chicago's north side) It's on North Lincoln Avenue...That place has everything, including big comfortable chairs in the huuuge lounge, free pool tables, a big screen TV...Definitely worth the trip..Plus an excellent Chicago Pizza place three doors down!

....and (most importantly) one of the biggest walk-in humidors anywhere!...Great selection!
They even have a "bundle room"

Thanks for the good info guys!

rookie do you live in the chicago area?

Yep...I live in the southern burbs (until Jan when I move up north)...I work on the North Shore
JCrimmins, Mr. Mean, and Todog also live in the area
We try to get together once every month or every other month for a herf if you and other locals are interested

Keith

Yeah I live in Buffalo Grove, Office in Roselle (next to schaumburg)and I do outside sales which has me running everyewhere. So absolutely I am up for it.

email me [email protected]

Email sent!...We're practically neighbors..LOL

I was born and raised in Chicago. Lived on the north side growing up, around Irving Park and Addison, not far from Wrigley but grew up a Sox fan. My family is still there, sister in Addison, brother in Palatine and parents in Elgin. Moved in 83, mostly because I am a warm weather person and winters got to me. You guys are kinda makin me home sick, but just till I read the weather page. Stay warm!

would you like to tell me where irving park and addison meet lol

Sammy, I was greeted this morning with 8 degree temps and a nice wind in my face.
Miss it now?

Hey defcon! Went to the Up 'n Down last night and dropped a quick buck fifty on cigars. They were out of PAMs, only PANs left so I passed on them but I did buy his last 4 Opus Xs and assorted others including some Hemingway Signatures. He wouldn't sell me the Opus box, said that they get theirs in bundles and re-use the same box,(that's been the subject of other posts so I just mention it FYI, if not true at least it's a common lie, LOL). BTW, tremendous selection, so so prices, but he gave me a free coffee mug.
So, I leave the store and head down N.Wells to meet some friends at Gino's East for the best pizza on the
planet. Once seated with my group I'm looking around checking out all the graffiti. What do I see? Right above the Miller Genuine Draft neon guitar on the facing wall in 6", blue letters: defcon. I kid you
not. Good omen? I thought so. Then we went to Blue Chicago and they wouldn't let me smoke a cigar. The doorman saw one in my pocket as we were going in and said, "Dude, you can't smoke that sh*t in here." Cigarettes seemed to be allowed, though. Guess they're afraid that the cigar smell would mask the aroma of puke and stale beer.

Mean, like I said, I miss it till I hear comments like that!

Defcon, it was actually the corner of Irving Park and Elston, its been almost 20 years and my memory is......what was I saying?

There is a nice place in villa pk / west burbs on St. charles road 8to8 cigars

I've been to all the cigars places in downtown Chicago and the all have one thing in common..$$$$ If you want to venture out into the burbs, the best one I found is in LaGrange. It's on LaGrange road just south of Ogden Ave just and the Tracks. It's in the middle of town next to Palmers beer garden (another great place) The prices are right and he has a huge selection. I'm at Palmers on a regular basis and always stop in for a few cigars. Maybe I'll run into one of you next time.

thanks good to know . I know exactly where that is