Cigars International Superstore

Walk into Cigars International Superstore in Tampa and the first thing that hits you is the sheer scale of the place. One regular put it well, comparing it to a toy store when you were a kid, and that about captures it. The humidor runs deep and stays well stocked, with names like Ashton, Oliva, Rocky Patel, Padron territory covered by picks such as CAO, Alec Bradley, Drew Estate, and E.P. Carrillo, plus the classics folks come looking for: Montecristo, Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, La Gloria Cubana, and Macanudo.

Man O' War, Diesel, 5 Vegas, Acid, Punch, Brick House, Torano and more round out the walls. If you want a smaller, hard-to-find stick, there's a good chance it's tucked in here somewhere. This is as much a lounge as a shop. There's a full bar inside, comfortable seating throughout, and a covered outdoor patio where people settle in for the afternoon.

Locals tell us the drinks are reasonably priced and the whole experience is easy on the wallet by cigar-lounge standards. Fridays are when the place really comes alive, with a DJ spinning R&B and old-school hip hop and a high-energy crowd. If you're an amateur and don't know where to start, ask for John, who folks say is patient and steers newcomers to exactly the right stick. James and Ivelizse also come up again and again as the people to go see.

We'll be honest: opinions on the front-door welcome are a little split, and a few folks have wished for a warmer greeting or quicker cleanup when tables turn over. The same voices that mention it usually circle right back to the quality of the humidor, the value, and the setting. For anyone hunting a cigar shop in Tampa with a genuine lounge feel and a selection that's tough to beat, this one has earned its strong reputation around town.