Smoking at the Owl Shop

Ah, the cigar case with the hidden cigars on sale.

One of my favorite things to do on the weekends is to head down to New Haven and visit The Owl Shop. This place is one of the only bars that I know of in Connecticut (thus far) where you can still smoke indoors, since the smoking ban took place a few years ago. The Owl Shop reminds me of what I think an old fashion men's club would have been like.

                                             
It's dimly lit, smokey, filled with worn leather chairs, and has alot of heavy drapery and dark wood. The walls are filled with glass cases that are stocked with cigars for sale, an impressive collection of pipes, and smoking memorabilia. The bar is one of those impressive wooden bars that has seen it's share of history. And it's well stocked with a selection of cordials, brandies, whiskeys, scotches and other liquors that will take me years to go through and sample. But it's a task that I will gladly undertake, since everything that they have goes so well with my favorite cigarellos. Mmmm.

                                     
The Owl Shop has been in business since the 30's and is still going strong. The clientel is always very friendly and you can usually meet some locals who have been visiting the Owl Shop for years and are more than willing to impart some knowledge about smoking, New Haven, physics, CT politics, chess, local lore or a variety of other subjects. One snippet of a conversation that peaked my attention was that during happy hour (5-7pm) there are not only drink specials but also cigar specials, good tidbit to remember.

                                     
They also host events at Owl Shop such as book signings for true cigar lovers, such as the following that will be taking place Sept. 15th at 5pm. It's the "official launch of The Cigar Lover’s Compendium. The $20 admission includes a signed copy of the book, a Chivas tasting paired with a complimentary cigar, a humidor raffle, giveaways, and more."

Next time you are in New Haven, stop in for an amaretto and cigar and see who you meet!

Website: http://owlshopcigars.com/index.htm