Cigar Times

Cigar Times sits about a block from the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, and the folks who make it in tend to have a good time. The owner, John, is the heart of the place. Ask anyone who has spent an afternoon here and they will tell you he is the type to sit down with you and your buddy and talk like you have been friends for years while you enjoy a cigar. People come in for a stick and end up staying an hour or two, which says something about the company.

The selection earns real praise. One traveler in town for a conference asked John for a recommendation and walked out with a box-pressed Maduro he could not stop talking about, plus a couple of Connecticut suggestions for good measure. If you know what you like, John can usually point you toward it, and if you are still figuring it out, he is happy to guide you. There is outdoor seating too, which regulars say makes for a relaxing spot to slow down and light one up.

Now, in fairness, locals are a little split on one thing: the hours. We have heard from more than a few people who showed up during posted times and found the door locked, so if you are making a special trip, it is worth calling ahead to confirm John will be around. When the shop is open and John is behind the counter, though, the word around Atlanta is that it is a warm, friendly place to pass the time.

For a cigar shop with genuine character and a knowledgeable owner who treats you like a regular from the first visit, Cigar Times is well worth a stop, especially if you are staying downtown near the Omni.