Cigar Lounge Review Series

I’ve begun a personal tour of cigar lounges throughout Orange County and Long Beach—searching for places worth sitting down, lighting up, and staying awhile. Not every experience will be perfect, and that’s kind of the point. A good lounge isn’t just about cigars—it’s about how you’re welcomed, how you’re treated, and whether the place invites you to come back.

“The Lounge Circuit” Review #1

Fair Oaks Gigar Lounge - Newport Beach California

The Good, The Bad, and The Uninterested

An Afternoon at Fair Oaks Cigar Lounge

There’s a certain anticipation when you step into a cigar lounge for the first time. You’re not just buying a cigar—you’re stepping into someone else’s ritual.

Today, that ritual started a little off.

I walked into Fair Oaks in Newport Beach and was met with… silence. The clerk was on the phone and never acknowledged me, so I made my way into the humidor on my own.

To their credit, the selection was solid—good, but not quite great. A few of my go-to cigars were noticeably absent, which always leaves you adjusting your expectations a bit.

When the clerk finally wrapped up his call, I introduced myself and mentioned I was visiting lounges across Orange County and Long Beach for my blog. I asked a few simple questions—about their selection, lounge etiquette, even a bit of the shop’s history.

His name (I believe) was Jonney.

He wasn’t rude. Just… uninterested. More focused on the game playing on the TV than the customer standing in front of him.

• No recommendations.

• No conversation.

• No real engagement.

And that’s a missed opportunity—because a great tobacconist doesn’t just sell cigars, he sets the tone for the entire experience.

Still, I picked up a $25 stick and settled into the lounge.

And here’s where things turned.

The lounge itself? Exactly what you hope for. Worn leather chairs that have clearly hosted years of conversations. Ashtrays within reach. A relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere that invites you to sit down, light up, and stay awhile.

It felt right.

The Verdict

The Good

• Comfortable, classic lounge setup

• Inviting seating and atmosphere

• Solid (if not exceptional) cigar selection

The Bad

• Lack of engagement from staff

• No recommendations or guidance

• Missed opportunity to connect with a customer

The Ugly

• Indifference. In a place built on ritual and experience, that’s hard to overlook

Oregon Man Take

A cigar lounge lives and dies by more than its chairs and inventory. For me,

iIt’s about the handshake, the conversation, the shared appreciation of the moment.

Fair Oaks has the bones of a great lounge. But today, it lacked the one thing that can’t be shelved or stocked—

Presence.

Closing Note

Good cigars can be found anywhere. A great cigar experience is something else entirely.