Cigar Lounge policies

[bluue13]

So believe it or not, I've never actually smoked a cigar in a B&M lounge before, always in my backyard or someone elses.  
 
While doing a bit of searching it seems this is the case...but have most of you found that the policy of your local B&M is that you have to purchase there in order to smoke there excluding being a member?
 
I'm possibly planning on getting a few folks together to have a smoke at a local lounge, and yes I plan on calling them to ask their policy anyway, but just wanted to get a feel for what is perhaps "the norm."
 
 

 

[Slick300]

The couple of places I frequent do have signs up 'asking' that your smoke be purchased from there. I've seen people come in with caddies and just use the lounge without issue. IMHO, it is simple courtesy to purchase from the store if you are going to use their facility. Not saying that you can't bring other sticks with you, but at least help pay your way.

 

[looking for knowledge]

If the cigar lounge is attatched to a larger facility (hotel, casino, etc.), it is generally fine to smoke your own. If the establishment is a stand alone, it is good to help the business keep its' space by making a purchase. 
 
I am a member at a local club, have a locker and all that. All the members have a gentleman's agreement to only store and smoke what we buy from the shop. We have an interest in keeping his lights on. That and he keeps beer on tap in addition to a stocked liquor cabinet. 

 

[bluue13]

Only makes sense.  If you didn't buy from the establishment, then it wouldn't be there for you to smoke in.  Circle of life, etc.

 

[Brickhouse]

I'd have to agree with what's already been said.  Even if I bring my own 5'er or something, and have no intention of smoking a stick from the store itself, I will still buy a few.
 
Just seems like common courtesy to throw some money their way for having the space to smoke.  I really don't see how it could be seen any other way.

 

[zeemanb]

I go to my local shop a lot, I buy singles that I want to try or rare/allocated stuff, but definitely not every time. What I find to be the #1 most appreciated habit is sharing smokes with the staff. I had a bunch of original release LFD chisels I was never going to smoke, and those guys are LFD junkies. So I'm all set as far as good will for a while, lol. That said, the importance of spending money at your local B&M in the age of internet sales with no tax/free shipping cannot be overstated.

 

[sok454]

I'd have to agree with what's already been said.  Even if I bring my own 5'er or something, and have no intention of smoking a stick from the store itself, I will still buy a few.
 
Just seems like common courtesy to throw some money their way for having the space to smoke.  I really don't see how it could be seen any other way.

CFA have a smoke room right?   I know you can smoke in Epicures but it's just the "store" 

 

[Brickhouse]

 

I'd have to agree with what's already been said.  Even if I bring my own 5'er or something, and have no intention of smoking a stick from the store itself, I will still buy a few.
 
Just seems like common courtesy to throw some money their way for having the space to smoke.  I really don't see how it could be seen any other way.

CFA have a smoke room right?   I know you can smoke in Epicures but it's just the "store" 
 

 
CFA has two smoke areas.  Right up front when you walk in and then in the back.  The back area has TV and couches and what not.  The front area is just a few chairs where regulars hang to chat with Mack when he's working.

 

[oke&coke]

Agreed with all that was said here.  The store I go to occasionally has a lounge that is pay to use area, $5 a day or with membership.  Since the store is out of my way, I usually buy something anyway along with the lounge fee.

 

[madurotrout]

In today's PC Anti-Smoke climate, you "have" to "support" their shops when visiting their lounges. They are not allocating square feet of possible retail space for you to have somewhere comfortable and relaxing to smoke. If you are looking for that, try your living room or porch.

I always pick up a couple of singles to help the guys out. Usually something not in my regular rotation.

Just my two cents...

 

[whylieineedacigar]

The lounge I visit, if you want to smoke your own cigar then there is a cutting fee of $10 per cigar.

 

[bluue13]

All  good posts, gents!
 
I just want to clarify that I wasn't seeking to not have to support the local B&M, hoping it didn't come across that way.
 
I think my curiosity was more of "they don't carry a certain stick I like, can I bring that along?"  And it seems like the answer is why not just grab another they do have that you enjoy anyway?"   Not a problem there!

 

[Bsneed51]

I feel like if you pick up a stick or two from them, then I don't see any problem with smoking something you bring yourself.    I don't like to smoke sticks straight out of a store's humidor without some down anyway. 

 

[The Black Cloud]

The 2 places near me do not allow outside cigars at all. While I completely understand that policy, I might be more open to patronizing their business if they had a cutting fee for those who already have a cigar to smoke.

The vast majority of the time I smoke it's at a friend's back yard, anyway.

 

[Setharsis]

I'll usually pick up some sticks that I don't buy boxes of and then just smoke my own.  Agreed, don't like to smoke a cigar straight from the shop without some rest in my own humidor.
 
 

The 2 places near me do not allow outside cigars at all. While I completely understand that policy, I might be more open to patronizing their business if they had a cutting fee for those who already have a cigar to smoke.

The vast majority of the time I smoke it's at a friend's back yard, anyway.

Fair Oaks?

 

[kona1000]

The lounge I visit, if you want to smoke your own cigar then there is a cutting fee of $10 per cigar.

Same in the Boston area smoke shops. Buy one or pay a 10$ cutting fee.

 

[2K6TBSS]

The local that I used to frequent had a sign that also asked that you only smoke cigars that you purchased there.  If you were a regular (there was no memberships) the policy was a little different.  I would ALWAYS purchase a cigar when I went in, but rarely smoked it right then.  I would often bring in a cigar I purchased from there that had a few weeks in my humidor.  Every so often I would bring in a cigar that I didn't purchase there, but I did purchase a cigar or two at the same time.
 
The one I currently frequent has the same policy, again it's more relaxed for the regulars.

 

[bfreebern]

I'd have to agree with what's already been said.  Even if I bring my own 5'er or something, and have no intention of smoking a stick from the store itself, I will still buy a few.
 
Just seems like common courtesy to throw some money their way for having the space to smoke.  I really don't see how it could be seen any other way.

 
Yep, we need to keep these places in business as well. 

 

[zeemanb]

Wow, I did not realize how casual and free wheelin' it was at my local shop...had never heard of clipping fees. It makes me very grateful. I'll bring it up with the regulars who grumble about getting the same food in the free buffet at the monthly party, lol.

 

[The Black Cloud]

I'll usually pick up some sticks that I don't buy boxes of and then just smoke my own.  Agreed, don't like to smoke a cigar straight from the shop without some rest in my own humidor.
 
 

The 2 places near me do not allow outside cigars at all. While I completely understand that policy, I might be more open to patronizing their business if they had a cutting fee for those who already have a cigar to smoke.

The vast majority of the time I smoke it's at a friend's back yard, anyway.

Fair Oaks?

Shamlux and Cigar House. Both right by me. Shamlux has a nice lounge and nice overall shop but I'm not a fan of their policy. I always buy something from the shop if I'm bringing my own smoke in. I understand some may not and may be taking advantage of the opportunity.

Cigar House I don't intend to go back to ever. Just rubbed me the wrong way. High prices, old, dusty stock, and the customer service seemed less than optimal. Looking back on it, maybe they did have a cutting fee, but it may have been $25 or something equally outrageous. I'm not paying $25 to smoke my $10 cigar and sit in one of your three chairs cramped in a corner.