Shaker Cigar

Shaker Cigar sits in a little brick building near a busy intersection on Cleveland's east side, and if you drive past it once you'll want to circle back. This is a cigar shop with an old-school charm that folks around here have come to love. The word around Cleveland is that this is the place to find a good stick and then actually enjoy it, with a comfortable lounge, ample seating, and a room that never quite feels crowded even when it fills up. There's a back outdoor space too, though locals will tell you it could use a little attention.

The humidor is what keeps regulars coming back. People who shop here swear by the selection, from the house Sungrown Toro to burns like the Midnight Oil, which one gentleman said smoked perfectly at home later that evening, not too moist, not too dry, a consistent burn all the way down. Ask anyone who spends an afternoon here and they'll mention how much they learned about cigars just by stopping in. The team is happy to steer you toward something new.

More than a few people have said Shaker pulled them out of smoking the same cigar every time and into something they wouldn't have picked on their own, and they were glad for it. Mike and Larry, along with the rest of the crew, get a lot of the credit for the atmosphere. We've heard from more than one traveler in town for family matters at the Cleveland Clinic who stopped in to unwind and left feeling genuinely welcomed by the staff and the other patrons alike. Jazz on the speakers, a ball game on the TV, comfortable chairs, good company.

It's the kind of place where you settle in. One thing to know: the lineup is curated rather than endless, and they don't always stock the little extras like matches, though you'll find cedar splits. With a strong reputation across Cleveland, Shaker Cigar has quickly become a real favorite for anyone who takes their smoke seriously.