Owl Shop - New Haven, CT

[BigGuns]

Not sure where to post this - Cigar Friendly spots, US Underground - so I figured I’d put it here and leave it to the mods to sort it out (I see you @JohnS!!)

In town on business this week and randomly stumbled upon a restaurant a couple blocks from my hotel.  I sat down and started peeping the menu when a fine aroma drew my attention. I looked up, and as luck would have it, I found myself next door to what appeared to be a fine smoking establishment. Polished off a couple local IPAs and some Korean chicken wings, and made my way over…

Established in 1934, the place was booked tonight on account that it’s live music night, so I parked it at the last stool at the bar. Being from Cali - LA of all places - I found myself in what felt like a foreign utopia. Ordered an Oliva V Lancero (left my travel humi stocked full of Habanos at the hotel as I never would have guessed to find such a place) and a healthy pour of Oban 14 and settled in.

What a spot.  Incredible selection of liqs to satisfy any craving, great atmosphere, and lovely people. Pretty sure they have food on the menu, too. I know for many here this may seem like a “cool, you found a cigar bar…big deal”, but for this SoCal native where sometimes the sheer mention of the word “smoke” may furrow some brows, it was as if I found the end of the rainbow.

If anyone ever finds themselves on the outskirts of Yale, make an effort to stop by…I certainly will again tomorrow. 

Cheers, FOH!!!

[LLC]

Looks and and sounds like a great spot 👍

[yadegari6]

Thanks for posting, I’ll be in new haven next week. Will definitely check it out! 

[El Presidente]

These places are pure Gold!

Thanks Mike 

[BrightonCorgi]

That place looks incredible.  Two hour drive each way for me 😔

[Bolismoker]

What a great looking spot!


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[helix]

My kinda spot.

[BigGuns]

6 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

That place looks incredible.  Two hour drive each way for me 😔

Worth it. Not the only thing to do in town, but a good way to close your day out…

[CaptainQuintero]

  Looks like an amazing place to be fair, I'd be applying for a regular seat if it was near me.

  I didn't think we'd see pictures of a grown up's bar again and it looks like they're thriving

[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, BigGuns said:

Worth it. Not the only thing to do in town, but a good way to close your day out…

Thanks. 

There are a few cigar lounges in Worcester worth checking out too. 

Tar and feather me all you want, but I am not the biggest fan of cigar bar/lounges.  I don't like going around out on the town smelling like a smoked cigar x10.   Carnegie Club is fun, but other than that I would rather smoke in my dining room or back yard. 

 

[BigGuns]

3 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Thanks. 

There are a few cigar lounges in Worcester worth checking out too. 

Tar and feather me all you want, but I am not the biggest fan of cigar bar/lounges.  I don't like going around out on the town smelling like a smoked cigar x10.   Carnegie Club is fun, but other than that I would rather smoke in my dining room or back yard.

I hear you

7 hours ago, Psiman said:

I know of a handful of cigar bars in L.A. and around SoCal

Pray tell, good sir 

[McBeardface]

I visit the Owl every chance I get, often meeting CT friends there (I live in New York City). Love everything about the place, and I recommend it highly.


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[ChangBang]

What's the general etiquette for these if you want to smoke your own cigars?  Order some minimum amount of drinks/food?

[BigGuns]

8 hours ago, Psiman said:

Buena Vista in Beverly Hills, La Descarga in Hollywood, Havana House has two locations, Cana by the media district down town and State Social House on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood are all bars that include cigars in L.A. I think Orange County has a few as well around Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point. So much for can't smoke cigars and have a drink at bars in L.A. area. Lots of myths people believe about L.A. that aren't true. Cigar stores and cigar lounges are everywhere here that are in money areas and the bars with cigars aren't that difficult to find as I have just shown. 

Some of those aren’t so far off my beaten path, so thank you for the info.  Most cigar lounges in LA are just that - a place to smoke, especially after the tobacco ordinances that were adopted a few years ago in LA. Grand Havana room is also nice, but it’s a member’s only place. 
 

 

7 hours ago, ChangBang said:

What's the general etiquette for these if you want to smoke your own cigars?  Order some minimum amount of drinks/food?

Owl Shop has a $10 cutting fee if you bring your own. 

[yossie]

BG, I've been looking forward to try Oliva serie V. 😏 Still can't decide purchasing yet though..

[KCCubano]

13 minutes ago, yossie said:

BG, I've been looking forward to try Oliva serie V. 😏 Still can't decide purchasing yet though..

Hey Yossie. Im no NC expert by any means. Usually find 95 % unsmokable for my palate. That being said the few Oliva V Lancero is one that I have enjoyed. The Tatuaje Escasos Seies is another. Just picked up a 5 er of the "E" which is the Lancero. 

[yossie]

2 minutes ago, KCCubano said:

Hey Yossie. Im no NC expert by any means. Usually find 95 % unsmokable for my palate. That being said the few Oliva V Lancero is one that I have enjoyed. The Tatuaje Escasos Seies is another. Just picked up a 5 er of the "E" which is the Lancero. 

I know NCs are not good as CCs at least in the point of cost . I've smoked great NCs like premium Padrons, Opus X , regular tatuajes and etc though, I'd rather to choose CCs than NCs for the money.  So. This is just a curiosity like when you go to Cuba, You'd purchase custom rolls which are mostly not good as Habanos. 

[BigGuns]

On 7/16/2021 at 3:59 AM, yossie said:

BG, I've been looking forward to try Oliva serie V. 😏 Still can't decide purchasing yet though..

I really enjoyed it, Yoss. I’m no NC expert (not CC, for that matter!), but it was really good from light to nub. Much better than the dud Davidoff Grand Cru 2 I had the following night

[yossie]

20 minutes ago, BigGuns said:

I really enjoyed it, Yoss. I’m no NC expert (not CC, for that matter!), but it was really good from light to nub. Much better than the dud Davidoff Grand Cru 2 I had the following night

Don't tempt me so as I can't resist paying my money for CCs. lol

[DanWil84]

Bar looks great and a Oliva cigar has never disappointed me! V Lancero is a great cigar, if not for any lancero I smoked.

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[Capt. Corona]

I've gotten nicotine poisoning from any V series I've ever smoked.🤢 

Tried around 4 or 5 of them and never again for me!

Give me a Melanio anytime, anywhere over the V.

🤠

[Deeg]

On 7/16/2021 at 2:51 PM, ChangBang said:

What's the general etiquette for these if you want to smoke your own cigars?  Order some minimum amount of drinks/food?

My trick (I would always order a drink or food) at these sorts of places is to buy the cheapest stick they have and surreptitiously swap it out with my RASS or such and smoke that (and you have a yard gar for whenever you need an afterthought smoke). 😅  I don't begrudge them a cutting fee but I'm no going to drop $10 on that when I'm drinking or eating off their menu. 

[yadegari6]

Made it to owl shop tonight, great spot. Glad I had a reservation, this place gets packed on the weekends. Smoking an aged Monte 1 gifted from @GasGuy82 that has been hitting on all cylinders. 

[GasGuy82]

Sorry, I’ve been away for a bit and just saw this. Very happy to hear you enjoyed it!

[triphitter]

I've been going recently for MNF and no issues with space or capacity. Great atmosphere, good vibe, bartenders and service are like a good whiskey/bourbon joint and it is laid back. Very comfortable seating and the air purification system is prevalent.