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Tampa's Cigar Scene
Tampa is the historic heart of American cigar making, where Ybor City once produced more than 500 million cigars annually in the early 1900s. Founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in 1885, the National Historic Landmark District still carries the Cuban, Spanish, and Italian heritage that built America's cigar industry.
The current Tampa scene mixes working cigar history with serious modern lounges: J.C. Newman's El Reloj factory and museum, Ybor hand-rolled cigar shops, Grand Cathedral's converted church lounge, Corona's Diamond Crown Lounge near Westshore, and large-format destinations such as Cigar Castle and Cigars International.
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Cigar Lounges (11)
These establishments feature dedicated smoking lounges where you can relax and enjoy your cigars in comfortable, well-ventilated spaces.
Grand Cathedral Cigars
Destination cigar lounge and bar inside a restored historic church just west of Ybor City. The downstairs lounge and patios are public, upstairs is reserved for locker members, and outside cigars or alcohol are not allowed.
- Access
- Public downstairs lounge, bar, humidor, and patios inside a restored church.
- Membership
- Upstairs facility is reserved for locker members; downstairs and patios are public.
- Food and drink
- Full bar, specialty coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails are listed.
- Parking
- Venue lists an attached lot plus an overflow lot one block north.
- Age policy
- No one under 21 is permitted.
- Caveat
- No outside cigars or alcohol are allowed.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Corona Cigar Company & J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Lounge
Large Corona Cigar Company store and bar near International Plaza, now operating the former Davidoff-licensed Tampa boutique under the Corona brand. The J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Lounge makes this one of Tampa's strongest modern cigar lounge stops.
- Access
- Westshore Corona location with Diamond Crown Lounge branding and posted late store hours.
- Food and drink
- Bar-and-lounge format is venue-controlled.
- Age policy
- Corona states it does not sell tobacco products to anyone under 21.
- Caveat
- Dress-code language applies after 6 p.m. across Corona seating areas.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
King Corona Cigars Cafe and Bar
Classic Ybor cigar cafe, bar, and lounge on 7th Avenue with house cigar lines, coffee, food, outdoor seating, and a steady local-and-visitor crowd. Best for a traditional Ybor people-watching smoke.
- Access
- Ybor cigar cafe and bar with house cigars, coffee, and public seating.
- Food and drink
- Coffee, bar, and cafe service are part of the venue model.
- Parking
- 7th Avenue parking can be paid, street, or event-sensitive.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Long Ash Cigars
Ybor City cigar shop and lounge with a roller in the front window, handmade house cigars, a walk-in humidor, leather seating, Cuban coffee, and a neighborhood cigar-bar feel.
- Access
- Ybor shop and lounge with house cigars, coffee, and seating.
- Smoking
- Use it as a shop-lounge visit with walk-in humidor access; confirm seating availability before going.
- Caveat
- Call ahead for current hours before making it your only Ybor stop.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Tabanero Cigars
Premium Ybor cigar factory, shop, and lounge with long-filler Tampa cigars, visible rolling, and Cuban coffee. A strong stop for visitors who want an active cigar-making setting on 7th Avenue.
- Access
- Ybor cigar factory, shop, and lounge with hand-rolled cigar positioning.
- Food and drink
- Cuban coffee is part of the visitor experience.
- Parking
- 7th Avenue parking can be street, paid, or event-sensitive.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Sterling Cigar Lounge & Bar
Upscale Ybor cigar lounge and bar above 7th Avenue with indoor seating, outdoor terraces, rooftop space, lockers, cocktails, and live music on select nights.
- Access
- Upscale Ybor cigar lounge and bar with terrace/rooftop positioning.
- Food and drink
- Cocktail bar service is venue-controlled.
- Caveat
- Check event and live-music schedule before planning a quiet visit.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
La Faraona Cigars
Family-run Cuban hand-rolled cigar maker with a dedicated Ybor lounge at 1315 E 7th Ave and a separate factory at 1515 E 7th Ave. Visit for local house cigars, tap beer, wine, and a less chain-like Ybor stop.
- Access
- Family-run Ybor cigar lounge separate from the factory location.
- Food and drink
- Tap beer and wine are part of the lounge positioning.
- Caveat
- Verify whether you are visiting the lounge address or the separate factory address.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Cigars International Superstore Tampa
Large-format cigar shop, lounge, and bar with more than 1,300 cigar brands, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, TVs, and a full-service bar. It is farther from Ybor but useful for broad selection and event-style smoking.
- Access
- Large-format CI shop, lounge, and bar east of central Tampa.
- Food and drink
- Full-service bar and indoor/outdoor lounge format are venue-controlled.
- Parking
- Large retail-site parking is typical, but verify on event nights.
- Age policy
- CI retail location pages identify stores as 21+ entry.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Cigar Castle - Pivo Lounge
Long-running premium cigar shop and Pivo Lounge with a very large humidor, boutique and rare cigar focus, draft beer wall, spirits, and classic neighborhood cigar-lounge atmosphere.
- Access
- Temple Terrace cigar shop and Pivo Lounge with large-humidor positioning.
- Food and drink
- Beer wall and spirits are part of the lounge positioning.
- Caveat
- Call ahead for rare-cigar availability, events, or group seating.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Nicahabana Cigars
Family-owned Ybor hand-rolled cigar shop and lounge next to Tabanero with Cuban coffee, house cigars, and evening lounge hours. A compact, local alternative to the larger 7th Avenue cigar bars.
- Access
- Ybor hand-rolled cigar shop with a lounge and Cuban coffee.
- Food and drink
- Fine Cuban coffee is listed by the venue.
- Parking
- 7th Avenue parking can be street, paid, or event-sensitive.
- Age policy
- Website requires visitors ordering from the site to be 21 or older.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Tampero Cigars
Family-owned Ybor cigar shop with a curated walk-in humidor, premium cigar selection, and a small lounge/sitting-area format. Use it as a shop-and-smoke stop rather than a full cocktail-bar destination.
- Access
- Ybor family-owned premium cigar shop with curated-humidor positioning.
- Smoking
- Use as a shop-and-smoke stop rather than a full cocktail-bar destination.
- Caveat
- Call ahead to confirm lounge seating and current hours.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Cigar Shops (2)
Excellent cigar selections without dedicated lounges. Perfect for picking up premium cigars to enjoy elsewhere.
J.C. Newman Cigar Company
America's oldest family-owned premium cigar maker and the last operating cigar factory in Cigar City. Visit on weekdays for the El Reloj museum, factory store, guided tours, rolling room, and hand-rolling classes; treat it as a factory and retail destination rather than a public smoking lounge.
- Access
- Weekday factory, museum, tour, and factory-store destination; not a public smoking lounge.
- Age policy
- Hand-rolling experience is intended for guests of legal tobacco-purchasing age.
- Retail-only
- This is a retail cigar stop, not a public smoking lounge.
- Caveat
- Factory store and museum are weekday visitor stops; arrive before rolling activity ends if that matters.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company
Fuente-family retail cigar shop in a small Ybor casita, founded in 1995 and focused on Fuente, Ashton, Diamond Crown, Tampa Sweethearts, and related brands. It is a weekday retail stop with posted Saturday and Sunday closures, not a full cigar bar.
- Access
- Fuente-family Ybor retail cigar shop with posted venue hours; not a full cigar bar.
- Smoking
- Use as a retail stop unless staff confirm current smoking access.
- Retail-only
- This is a retail cigar stop, not a public smoking lounge.
- Caveat
- Posted hours include weekday retail access and weekend closures.
Last verified: June 8, 2026
Tampa Cigar Tips
Best Times to Visit
Ybor City cigar shops are best visited mid-morning to early afternoon to watch rollers at work. Weekend evenings bring crowds to 7th Avenue. Weekday afternoons offer the most relaxed lounge experiences.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Ybor City is essential for history and hand-rolled cigars. Tampa Heights has Grand Cathedral's destination lounge. Westshore, Temple Terrace, and East Tampa add large-format cigar bars and superstores.
What to Experience
Tour J.C. Newman Cigar Company, then compare Ybor cigar stops such as Long Ash, Tabanero, La Faraona, Nicahabana, and Tampero. For a full bar and lounge experience, plan time at Grand Cathedral or Corona's Diamond Crown Lounge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Tampa called the Cigar City?
Tampa earned the nickname 'Cigar City' because Ybor City was once the cigar capital of the world. At its peak in the 1920s, over 12,000 tabaqueros worked in nearly 200 cigar factories, producing 500+ million cigars annually. Cuban immigrant Vicente Martinez-Ybor founded the district in 1885, and the traditions continue today.
Can I tour a cigar factory in Tampa?
Yes! J.C. Newman Cigar Company offers tours of El Reloj, their historic factory built in 1910. It's America's oldest continuously operating cigar factory. You can watch cigars being hand-rolled and visit their museum showcasing Tampa's cigar heritage. Reservations are recommended.
What's the best cigar to try in Tampa?
For Tampa heritage, visit Tampa Sweethearts for Fuente-family retail and Tampa Sweethearts cigars, then try a fresh Ybor hand-rolled cigar from Tabanero, Long Ash, La Faraona, or Nicahabana. For a modern lounge-only stop, Grand Cathedral and Corona's Diamond Crown Lounge are stronger choices.