So I will be in Boston this Sunday through Wednesday. Any brothers there want to meet up let me know. Also anyone have any recommendations on a couple good shops or lounges?
Ah Boston 'tis where I was born and raised but I now live in Florida (Cigar capital of the USA!) . When I do manage to return I find the cigar scene very meager to say the least. There are very few lounges left and the state is trying to eliminate the few that remain. The one I frequent is called Cigar Masters , conveniently located on Boylston Street. It's a comfy place with a modest (by Florida standards) walk-in humi and full bar service. It's not an inexpensive scene as they have kind of cornered the market if you know what I mean.
The other place is an iconic tobacco shop: L.J. Peretti and Company located at 2 1/2 Park Square which you can get to by walking down Boylston Street from the Cigar Masters Lounge. It's been a Boston institution for over 140 years and it's worth a visit. Again it's small but the store has a cozy welcoming atmosphere and the wonderful smell of cigar and pipe tobacco is redolent. They offer no drinks (There's a Dunkin Donuts in the food court at the end of the block where I often get a Xlarge coffee before heading into Peretti's) but there are a few chairs (3) so one can sit and listen or participate in what is often a very engaging conversation. The guy behind the counter is "Bill" and he can direct you to whatever kind of cigar you may fancy. I've enjoyed some fabulous cigars and even better conversation at Peretti's over the years and I make it a must stop upon any visit back to Boston.
Alas, other than that I have absolutely no other viable options for you in terms of cigar lounges however there is one other tobacco shop located in Harvard Square in Cambridge which is a short subway ride from Perettis . It's called Leavitt & Peirce at 1316 Massachusetts Avenue (Get off Red Line at Harvard Station and it's about a one block walk up Mass. Ave on your right) It is a 127 year old tobacco shop that sells cigars , pipe tobacco , accessories and much more including chess sets and the like. However, you can NOT light up there.
I suggest that you check out the websites for all three locations and get a sense of what they have to offer. Have a wonderful trip to one of America's truly great cities and please have a fine smoke and lift a pint on behalf of this Native Son. Cheers!
