Big House Tobacco Outlet

Big House Tobacco Outlet is best understood as a cigar bar and lounge, and that distinction matters more than the name suggests. Folks who show up expecting a walk-in retail outlet sometimes leave a little confused, and we've heard the odd grumble about that mix-up. Once you know what this place actually is, the picture gets a lot brighter. This is a spot in Scranton, Pennsylvania where you settle in, light up, and stay a while.

The atmosphere is what people rave about first. Locals will tell you it's clean, comfortable, and low-key, with a classy bar setup, plenty of seating, and quiet back rooms where you can smoke, relax, and watch TV. There's a covered outdoor patio too, which regulars love for enjoying a cigar in the open air. Ask anyone who's spent an evening here and they'll mention the welcoming crowd.

It's the kind of place where the other patrons say hello and the bartenders remember you. The staff earn a lot of that goodwill. Paige gets named again and again for her friendliness, and Olivia is the one people ask for when they want a solid cigar recommendation. Janeen handles a picky martini order like a champ, and Tama has a reputation for making newcomers feel at home, right down to offering cupcakes and pairing a cigar with something off the drink menu.

Between the cigars, the beer, and the full bar, this doubles nicely as a place to grab a drink even if you're not smoking. One honest note: word around Scranton is the cigar selection can run thin at times, with empty boxes turning up in the humidors when they sell out of the good stuff. When it's stocked, people call it the best cigar lounge around, so it's worth a call ahead if there's a particular smoke you're after. For a relaxed evening with a cigar and a cocktail, this remains a real local favorite.