Blue Smoke Cigar Bar

Blue Smoke Cigar Bar has been part of the Clearwater scene since 1997, and ask anyone around town who knows their sticks and they'll point you here. This is a cigar bar in the truest sense, with a walk-in humidor that keeps a deep and well-maintained selection, beer on tap, and a lounge built for actually sitting down and enjoying a smoke. Regulars describe it as casual and comfortable, nothing fancy, just good people, cold drinks, and nice cigars. The ventilation and comfortable seating come up again and again, and there's a back room that groups like to grab when a few friends want to catch up.

The staff are a big reason people keep coming back. Manny gets named a lot, and locals will tell you he's the kind of guy who'll steer you right even when it costs him a sale. One fellow seasoning a new humidor said Manny told him to hold off buying until it was ready and to come back later, then set him up with a couple to smoke at the bar in the meantime. Gary gets that same warm mention, welcoming folks in like old friends, including travelers who just stumbled in while their truck was getting serviced down the road.

The word around Clearwater is that the crew knows cigars cold and their pairing recommendations, especially with the craft beers, are spot on. The selection has a real reputation. One man on a months-long hunt for a specific cigar called establishments up and down the coast and finally found it here, two hours from home, and the guy on the phone held his last two for him. That's the sort of story you hear about this place.

It's very well regarded, with a strong following, and while we've heard the rare grumble about a single stick, the overwhelming word is that Blue Smoke is exactly what people picture when they dream of the perfect cigar lounge. Highly recommended if you're looking for a cigar shop in Clearwater worth settling into.