Downtown St. Petersburg has turned into a pretty smokin´ place, and Central Avenue Cigars can be found at its heart, presenting an array of cigars and tobacco products in a classy, laid-back setting. The front features a cigar store with glass display cases exhibiting some of the most sought-after cigars, such as the Arturo Fuente Gran Reservas and Padrons, as well as the ever-elusive Opus X cigars. What really sets this place apart from the average cigar shopping experience, though, is the low-key cigar bar situated in the back. Here, smokers can choose from a selection of ports, wines and beers, all while puffing on a stogie and enjoying the company of other like-minded individuals. A not-so-secret door at the back of the bar reveals a cigar lounge/smoking room, complete with a pool table and fat leather armchairs. On Thursdays and Fridays, Roberto Ramirez rolls cigars right inside the store and a live jazz or blues band plays on the first Friday of the month. For those stogie smokers who find that they have nowhere to go (i.e., your spouse or roommate has designated the garage as the area you´re allowed to ¨stink up¨), Central Avenue Cigars stays open until 10 p.m. on weekdays and until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Central Avenue Cigars, 273 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-898-2442, www.centralcigars.com.
This article appears in Sep 22-28, 2004.