Breana Blaque's News

Cigars have always been something that I have personally enjoyed and savored for those times when I want to reward myself. Well throughout the spring, I did not smoke cigars. Don't get me wrong, I have four personal fully stacked humidors of various cigars, so they are accessible.

After January, I had a hard time accepting the new public smoking ban. I used to enjoy my cigars at one of my favorite night spots and it was no longer an option. Secondly, Every cigar I smoke is a special yummy treat that rewards and celebrates. While enjoying my cigar, there has to be a sort of ambiance and environment. The whole thing is ineffable.

This summer I have been getting back into the swing of treating myself to a premium cigar. I have had a couple of my youthfully aged Don Rigo cigars and Biaggios by the Don Rigo label and they have been delicious. ( I call them youthfully aged because they have been in my personal possession for under a year so the objective is to allow them to age for a minimum of two years.) My most recent cigar smoking experience was while bike riding in one of Chicago's bike events that took place from midnight to 5am in the morning. Well, my significant other initiated it, and we shared a cigar while riding a tandem bike.

Another smoking experience I have done recently, is while attending a local bar. I like to sit out on the outdoor patio of the bar with a drink, reading a book, kicking my legs up with my shoes off and taking a puff in between sipping my drink and reading a few lines from my book.

Another recent cigar experience was at a popular restaurant that has an outdoor deck. I ordered an ice tea, read my book and enjoyed my cigar. I was allowed to smoke on the deck because there were no other patrons on the deck, aside from myself at the time.

Last month, I attended the Ladies Night Event at Smoke the Experience. I was given a complimentary cigar to smoke for my birthday in honor of Maduro Woman.com. I had a wonderful time. On the 3rd of July, my significant other and I had planned to smoke our cigars on the lake while watching the fireworks, along with a romantic picnic and our favorite bottle of wine. But it was too cold. So we enjoyed our cigars from the SUV, along with a nice Neo Soul CD I made ( I don't care of for Neo Soul BTW, was trying something different), sipped on wine and ate. It was a nice treat. I would have preferred outdoors, but I am not a trooper when it comes to cold weather.

My objective for my smoking experience, is to get out to more spots that have the outdoor smoking areas, be around more cigar friends at various cigar spots, and smoke on my patio with a sangria mix when I move into my new home later this summer.

Do you have a killer smoking experience ? Have you smoked somewhere that was awesome or smoked while doing something truly spectacular? Tell me about it. Shoot me an email at info@madurowoman.com

Smoke the Experience Cigar Lounge in Naperville, IL

Last Thursday I took a trip to Smoke the Experience in Naperville. Smoke the Experience in Naperville has a new comfy cigar lounge. You have an actual lounge experience here. When you walk in there is a humidor to your left, In one room you have leather theater like seating with a flat screen, in a another room you have arcade games and a juke box. In the rear there is another lounging like area, perfect for parties or gatherings. Every Third Thursday of the month there is a ladies night for female cigar or new female cigar smokers.

Visit Smoke the Experience's Website

Smoking Spots

Sometimes I like getting out and having a chocolate martini or a glass of merlot with my cigar. That is like the ultimate for me. So if you are like me and would like to have a nice drink with your cigar then I have a couple spots for your enjoyment. I am aware of two spots in Chicago where we can still enjoy cigars and drinks. There is a list of several other smoking spots below. Some serve alcohol, some allow cigarettes, some allow cigars. Please call ahead.

1. I have frequented Nar Hookah in the downtown area. Nar Hookah is located at 806 W Randolph. Nar Hookah is a hookah lounge of course where drinks are served. An assortment of martinis are on the menu. Enjoy a cigar or hookah with your drink!
2. While I have not been to Fizz Bar and Grill, it has the heated out door patio for those who would like to smoke. There is a picture of the tented area if you scroll down on the cover of the website. Fizz Bar and Grill serves drinks and food. It's located at 3220 N Lincoln Ave in Chicago. Visit the website for more information. http://www.fizzchicago.com/
   

If you are aware of more spots in other cities, please shoot me an email at info@madurowoman.com . I would love to share that with other readers!

Ok here are smoking spots in Chicago courtesy of Metromix.com, I am not sure if all of these places allow drinks or serve liquor.

Caganchos

2413 W. North Ave.Chicago, IL

(773) 772-4106

Hours: closed Sunday

Call it the little taqueria that could, Caganchos is here to play. Mario's Taco House stuffed its last burrito in November, then swiftly transformed into the bane of the ban's existence: a tobacco shop. A walk-in humidor occupies the space where the kitchen once was; cigars take the place of carne asadas, and specialty cigarettes and loose tobacco reign supreme. In compliance with the new state law, which states that tobacco retailers cannot carry food or liquor licenses, Caganchos will offer drip coffee and espresso only.

Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge
1553 N. Milwaukee Ave.Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 772-8410
http://www.mmsmokes.com
Hours: open afternoon until late-night daily
One side effect of this ban is that cigarettes – for so long sucked down, used up, underappreciated – might finally garner a little respect. The tobacco connoisseurs at Marshall McGearty Tobacco Lounge are already working with the finest blends from all corners, which they will happily hand-roll into cigarettes with slightly fewer additives than the pre-packaged stuff. Bonus? McGearty's super fancy filtration system makes the air relatively breathable – at least when compared to the billowed dives most Chicagoans are accustomed to. Owned by RJ Reynolds, this Wicker Park lounge will no longer be serving food or liquor, but tobacco enthusiasts will still be able to get their fancy sot-weed.

Up Down Cigar
1550 N. Wells St.Chicago, IL 60610

(312) 337-8025
http://www.updowncigar.com
Hours: open daily

Walk inside this decades-old smoke shop and appreciate the intriguing aromas of pipe tobacco and cigars wafting through your nostrils among masterful cabinetry. Admire the architectural sculpture made from pounded and welded aluminum to emulate flames (it took two years to create). You can buy the sought-after Opus X and Pedron, or rely on the encyclopedic knowledge of the employees for suggestions. Look out for one of their parties in the rear smoking garden, like the previous Merschaum pipe trunk sale.

Fizz Bar and Grill
3220 N. Lincoln Ave.Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 348-600
http://www.fizzchicago.com
Hours: lunch, dinner-late night daily
Not willing to trade in the cocktail for the Camels? Sure, smoking indoors has a certain "damn the man" romanticism about it, but what about the booze? If you're longing for more than a latte, and unwilling to concede defeat, hightail it over to Fizz. This lofty Lakeview spot has an obscenely large beer garden, one that they've had the foresight to winter-proof. Tented, heated and complete with a liquor license – not to mention a fountain – the space will no doubt boost Fizz's popularity before spring's arrival.


Stone Lotus
873 N. OrleansChicago, IL 60610
(312) 440-9680
http://www.stonelotuslounge.com
Chicago's first liquor spa replaces manis and pedis with sweeter-tasting "treatments." And now you can burn a butt without freezing your own off, with a new heated outdoor smoking section, sponsored by (who else?) Camel.

Sound Bar

226 W. Ontario St.Chicago, IL (312) 787-4480

http://www.sound-bar.com

Sound Bar now has a heated sidewalk smoking section, a welcome addition for those clubbers who haven't yet gotten the nicotine monkey off their back. You must get a wristband if you want to get back in the club after your cigarette, though. But that sure beats the embarrassment of getting kicked out of your VIP room for lighting up inside.

NV Penthouse Lounge

116 W. Hubbard St.Chicago, IL

(312) 329-9960

The best part of this swanky River North bar/club that feels vaguely like a rich kid's house party is the terrace outside the eighth-floor lounge. And now it's even better for puffers, as smoking is allowed on the terrace. So you can enjoy one of the better views in the city while still getting your nic-fix. But be careful who you bum a smoke to – we don't want any amateurs getting woozy off a tobacoo buzz and falling over the edge.

Dhuwan Hookah Lounge

1219 W. Devon Ave.Chicago, IL

(773) 764-5525

http://www.dhuwan.com

Hours: open daily

Chicagoland's hookah lounges are sure to surge in popularity during the ban's weaning period, but Dhuwan's coming to the table with a game plan. In addition to having a stellar supply of flavored tobacco on hand for the water pipes, the four Dhuwan locations will also allow cigarette and cigar smoking. Because smokers are also habitual multi-taskers, pre-packaged food and beverages will be sold, and delivery from neighboring restaurants will be allowed as well.

House of Hookah

607 W. Belmont Ave.Chicago, IL

(773) 348-1550

http://www.chicagohookah.com

If you're one to sit Indian-style, or overjoyed to go barefoot while puffing on the pipe, you'll find House of Hookah quite accommodating. The Lakeview smoke session palace features a worthy attempt at Middle Eastern aesthetics – hookah tables, plush purple carpeting and cushy futon pillows – backed by sitar-infused electronica. Smokers will delight in the try-before-you-buy principle as well as a five-minute buffer zone in which you can switch your flavor for free during your first five minutes of smoking if it doesn't suit your palate. Topped off with a BYOB policy and free wi-fi, the place offers a super cheap good time. There's also a full menu of caffeinated beverages available, including nearly as many types of tea as there are shisha flavors.

Sigara: A Hookah Cafe

2013 W. Division St.Chicago, IL

(773) 292-9190

http://www.sigaralounge.com

Bright and spacious and filled with ultra-comfortable couches and beautiful artwork, Sigara offers up a cool BYOB place to smoke a hookah along with wireless internet (it's $4.95 per hour). The staff pleasantly and patiently introduces novices to hookah culture. Available shisha (hookah flavors) include Black Licorice, Jasmine, Orange, and Mint. Friday through Sunday there are live performances, including belly dancing and tribal dancing.

Smoke, The Experience

3027 English Rows, Ste 115 in Naperville

It is right on Rt. 59 just past 103rd St.

630-470-9829

http://www.smoketheexperience.com/ (coming soon)

We have 3 distinct rooms. As you enter, there is the retail store with a beautiful walk-in humidor that is covered in stone with glass french doors. It is truly a premium cigar boutique. We specialize in unique cigars and ones that you don't find in this area. Of course we have a great line of accessories and table top humidors. If you walk through another set of glass french doors, there is a large public lounge that is beautifully decorated with soothing designer colors. Of course there is a large plasma TV, theater seating, Golden Tee machine and much more. But the best room is the huge private lounge. This is the best lounge I have seen in the Chicago area anywhere. It has the standard plasma and theater seats but there are also plush couches and a great carved, wooden fireplace. We have a bar area and a beautiful wooden table that turns into a poker table and the members can rent out the room for private parties .

Events taking place--

Graycliff complete with a master roller and full spread of food and beverages on February 27 from 6-10 pm.

Ladies Night every 3rd Thursday of each month. The first one is happening on February 21st with Kristoff from 6-8 pm. It is exclusively for Ladies only from those hours.

If you are in another city, feel free to send me info on places to smoke! email me at info@madurowoman.com

Ultimate Cigars in Villa Park, IL

This is my frequent spot. When you walk in there is a cigar humidor on your right and shelves of other tobacco related products on your left. The bottom line is, if you are a tobacco smoker, you can lounge here. In the rear is the cigar/hookah lounge. The cigar/hookah lounge consists of private booth seating for couples or groups, flat screens, pool tables and more. It's decor consist of plush leather seats, artsy puffs and ottomans. Order a hookah or sit back and lounge with your cigar and some Arabian coffee. BYOB with your favorite drink. Play pool, listen to your favorite music, watch a movie or the game. Or stop by on a Friday or Saturday night for a little party feel. Whatever floats your boat, you will love to lounge here.

Click on the link below to print out a coupon for Ultimate Cigars

http://www.madurowoman.com/print_coupon.html

Kristoff Cigar rolling Event last Night

I had a wonderful time yesterday at Belicoso. I took the Urban Streets TV host, Yasmine. There was practically a photo shoot going on at Belicoso because the men went nuts over Yasmine. That's another story.
I had a nice Maduro by Kristoff. Glen, the owner says this is probably the closest we will get to a Cuban. I believe it has cuban seeds. I have had some great cigars that were pretty awesome and that was remotely similar to a Cuban. I have to admit Kristoff has a pretty good cigar. Matter of fact, The Vice President of Urban Streets TV, Anthony, my partner, it's his personal favorite.
I ran into Alex who also runs http://www.cigarpass.com/. He invited me over to their site. It was a nice outting for me. I was able to smoke my cigar, sip on a nice hot cup of espresso and eat. It was great. The next time they have an event, I will post it. It's really a treat. Also Belicoso has the largest humidor I have seen in the Chicago area. I have been to many cigar stores. The place is a palace. It's Havana away from Havana. If you ever have a chance to come out, I believe it is truly worth it!

Maduro Woman Cigar Event

by Breana Blaque

I had a pretty decent time. The turnout was pretty decent. The room was cloudy with cigar smoke. I believe that the smoke was the most spectacular thing of all. The loft was filled with people who was either new to cigars or had little experience with premium cigars. There were some cigar enthusiasts like myself who could actually appreciate Don Bubba's Cigars. I mean these cigars were a hit. I absolutely fell in love with his delicious cigars. Although he is keeping the recipe on lock and key, some folks think they are Cuban. He will tell you that "These cigars are not Cuban. I do not endorse the activity of having Cubans. That shi--illegal!" Whatever is in the mix, it's a hit. I am not kidding. There was complimentary cognac, complimentary cigars, complimentary red and white wines and all for the entry of $10. You can't beat that! I was interviewed for Urban Streets TV by their beautiful host Monique. I think someone has a crush on her. I am not saying names!
Anyway, the loft had a nice pool table, an area for chess and in the seating area, a nice flat screen showing a calm island and palm trees blowing in the wind. The next time, I think I will go with some videos or maybe a game. I think that will be more entertaining! I have another event in the works but there will be some modifications and upgrades. I would love to see more cigar enthusiasts out.