Up In Smoke Cigar Lounge

Up In Smoke Cigar Lounge is one of those Hollywood spots that regulars will tell you delivers a grown and sexy vibe from the moment you walk in. It's a cigar and hookah lounge first, with shisha and a proper smoking-lounge setup, but the word around Hollywood is that people come for the whole experience: the cigars, the strong drinks, the food, and the atmosphere. Open late and easy to make a night of, it's the kind of place folks pick for celebrations, girls' nights out, or watching the game with friends.

This is a Black-owned lounge run by a married couple who stay hands-on and make sure everyone feels welcome, and that hospitality carries right through the staff. Ask anyone who shops here and the bartenders come up by name: Toya, Charmaine, Raquel, and Raq all get shout-outs for being attentive no matter how packed it gets. The kitchen has a real following too, with Luke coming out to check for allergies before he cooks, and locals rave about the old-school fried chicken and the tasty wings.

One regular who has been coming over a year swears they've never so much as seen an argument in the place, just a laid-back, classy crowd. The lineup of themed nights is a big part of the draw. Thursday karaoke is a favorite, the Sunday brunch gets talked up constantly, and live music keeps things lively with a band and singers who bring real talent to the room.

A few people wish the smoke didn't linger quite so much on a busy night, though others point out you leave smelling better than at plenty of other lounges, so opinions run a little different there. Security and staff go out of their way, right down to helping large groups find parking out front. If you want an upscale cigar lounge in Hollywood with strong drinks, good food, and a genuinely warm crowd, this one earns the loyalty it gets.