St. Pete Cigar Company

St. Pete Cigar Company is the kind of small shop that treats you like a big customer, and folks around St. Petersburg have taken notice. Ask anyone who smokes here and they'll point you to the owner first. Ed is still a fixture behind the counter, and Legs took over as owner back in the fall.

Both have a reputation for being genuinely friendly and deep on cigar knowledge, the sort who will take the time to explain what you're asking about and steer you toward the right stick without ever pushing you toward a pricier smoke. The selection is what keeps people coming back. Locals will tell you they carry West Tampa, Brick House, and Padron, along with plenty of other popular brands, and the house blend gets real love from the regulars. One traveler passing through mentioned settling into one of the house barber poles and being pleasantly surprised. The hand rolled cigars come highly recommended too, if you want something a little special.

They stock smoking accessories as well. The lounge in the back is a big part of the draw, especially if you'd rather escape the Florida heat than sit in it. Since the recent upgrade, people rave about the wicker chairs, the TV setup, and the bar. It's a comfortable, clean space where you can unwind and end up in easy conversation with a great group of locals. As one regular put it, this is the cigar lounge he wishes he had next door.

A well-regarded spot with a strong local following, St. Pete Cigar Company earns its reputation on selection, fair treatment, and the people who run it. One quick tip: hours have occasionally caught a visitor off guard, so it's smart to call ahead if you're making a special trip. Once you're in, though, the word around St. Petersburg is you won't be disappointed.