The Best Cigar Bars in Philadelphia
Cigar lovers in Philadelphia enjoy access to some of the best places to smoke premium cigars in the world. As the official home of Holt’s Cigar Company and the Ashton cigar brand, both owned by the Levin family, Philadelphia boasts world-class cigar establishments designed and built by cigar lovers exclusively for aficionados. Let’s look at the thriving cigar culture in the City of Brotherly Love with the top places to smoke.
A New Benchmark: Holt’s Humidor, Bar & Lounge in Northeast Philadelphia
Our top recommendation is Holt’s Humidor, Bar & Lounge at 2990 Southampton Road in Northeast Philadelphia. Opened in June 2026, the new 11,000-square-foot location brings Holt’s retail legacy into a full hospitality setting, combining a 7,000-square-foot cigar bar and lounge with a 2,000-square-foot walk-in humidor stocked with over 1,000 unique cigar selections and more than 100,000 premium cigars in inventory. For anyone planning a cigar outing in Philadelphia, this is the most complete destination in the city.
Cornucopia for Connoisseurs
The appeal begins with scale. Guests can browse one of the country’s largest humidors and draw upon the guidance of a team of seasoned cigar professionals in an impressive, inviting atmosphere. The humidor offers every premium brand and Cuban-heritage line, including:
- Arturo Fuente
- Ashton
- La Aroma de Cuba
- My Father
- Padrón
- Oliva
- San Cristobal
- Davidoff
- Perdomo
- Nub
- AJ Fernandez
- Rocky Patel
- Drew Estate
- Macanudo
- Montecristo
- Romeo y Julieta
- And many more
Holt’s carries all the classics from each brand as well as several rare and exclusive cigars, like:
- Fuente Fuente Opus X
- Ashton ESG
- Fuente y Padrón Legends
- La Aroma de Cuba Small Batch
- Padrón 50th Anniversary
- Oliva Monticello
Holt’s Northeast humidor is an unabridged cornucopia for connoisseurs where you can purchase single cigars, full boxes, and samplers. The humidor also features an extensive selection of ashtrays and accessories, including Elie Bleu and Savoy humidors, ST Dupont lighters, and cases, cutters, and torches from Xikar, Lotus, and Jetline.
An Industrial Chic Oasis
When you’re ready to smoke, settle into a leather sofa, a high-top table, or enjoy a seat at the bar throughout the spacious lounge, while you order from your bartender or waitress. Relax and watch a game on multiple screens or enjoy your cigar outdoors on the patio. Everywhere you sit, a powerful, state-of-the-art air purification system continually purges smoke and circulates fresh air.
The lounge’s welcoming layout offers solo visitors and groups plenty of room to relax. Holt’s Northeast easily accommodates large parties, as well, with private rooms available for meetings, celebrations, fantasy football drafts, or even a movie night with your pals.
The space is open seven days a week, and its location, about 25 minutes from Center City, makes it convenient for local regulars, suburban visitors, and travelers looking for a premium cigar experience outside the bustle of downtown. Situated a few miles off the I-95 corridor at the Woodhaven exit, Holt’s Northeast is just 90 minutes from downtown Manhattan, making it a convenient destination for cigar lovers in NYC and New Jersey.
When you add in Holt’s deep cigar knowledge, broad brand selection, and established reputation for service and competitive prices, this new humidor, bar, and lounge stands out as Philadelphia’s must-visit cigar destination.
The Downtown Gem: Ashton Cigar Bar
If your plans keep you in Center City, Ashton Cigar Bar remains one of Philadelphia’s premier cigar establishments. Robert Levin founded Ashton Cigars in Philadelphia in the early 1980s. Today, Ashton is among the Top 5 premium cigar brands worldwide. The Ashton Cigar Bar was conceived as the ultimate sanctuary for cigar enthusiasts, highlighting several revered cigar brands and the finest drinks in an elegant environment with unparalleled ambiance.
Located above Holt’s flagship cigar shop at 1522 Walnut Street, Ashton Cigar Bar opened in 2013 and helped redefine what a modern cigar bar could be: polished, comfortable, spirits-forward, and built for guests who appreciate refined service and premium cigars. A stone’s throw from the finest restaurants, hotels, and shopping, Ashton Cigar Bar lies in the heart of Philadelphia’s vibrant Center City district.
The Bespoke Experience
No expense was spared in renovating the upper level of the historic downtown building where Ashton Cigar Bar is located. The aroma of fine cigars entices you the moment you ascend the stairs to gaze at a wall with over 600 premium spirits towering over the curved Venetian Calacatta marble bar, with a wave of red leather high-back bar stools inviting you to sit before it. The intimate space boasts a seamless integration of marble, glass, steel, frosted brick, and wood, with several high-top tables lining each side until you reach a pristine, floor-to-ceiling glass humidor, outfitted with 200 rare and classic cigars. Up front, a relaxed setting of comfy leather booths overlooks Walnut Street through tall windows, flanked by a pair of green walls, each bearing a luminous Ashton crown logo at the center.
A high-performance air purification system removes smoke and circulates clean air throughout the entire building, ensuring maximum comfort for patrons, including wives, girlfriends, and non-smoking guests.
Largest Whiskey Menu in Pennsylvania
Ashton Cigar Bar boasts the largest whiskey menu in Pennsylvania, with over 450 Scotch, bourbon, rye, Irish whiskey, and Asian whisky options. Whiskey and cocktail enthusiasts adore Ashton Cigar Bar for its comprehensive selection of top-shelf spirits, including the finest tequila, Cognac, rum, vodka, gin, and more, making it the ultimate environment for pairing cigars and drinks. The bestselling Old Fashioned is a must-try cocktail.
Coveted & Rare Premium Cigars
Ashton Cigar Bar offers an exceptional menu of premium cigars housed in custom Spanish cedar shelves within a gorgeous glass humidor. On Friday and Saturday evenings, a dedicated cigar professional is there to guide guests through the menu, which includes all the classics from Ashton, Arturo Fuente, La Aroma de Cuba, My Father, Padrón, and San Cristobal, in addition to several rare exclusives, including a full suite of coveted Fuente Fuente Opus X sizes, such as BBMF, Chili Pepper, No. 77 Shark, and Manos d’Amor. Arturo Fuente Añejo, Don Carlos Eye of the Shark, Rare Pink, Padrón 40th Anniversary, and an Ashton VSG 26-Year, rolled in 1999, offer a glimpse of the finest rarities available.
Every cigar connoisseur visiting Philadelphia owes it to themselves to smoke a cigar at Ashton Cigar Bar. The bar is open from 4 pm to 2 am seven days a week.
Union League Club of Philadelphia
There is one other notable alternative to Holt’s and Ashton Cigar Bar in Philadelphia, but it is not open to the public: the Union League Club of Philadelphia.
If you have a chance to visit the Union League Club of Philadelphia, it’s home to a stunning collection of art, sculpture, and historical artifacts, in addition to a gorgeous Victorian cigar bar. Founded in 1862 for Union patriots dedicated to advancing Abraham Lincoln’s political agenda, the Union League remains an important emblem in our nation’s heritage. Presidents, politicians, dignitaries, business leaders, and government officials have walked the halls of the Union League Club during their stays. Many prominent individuals are members today.
To enjoy a cigar in the Smoking Room at the Union League, you must be a member or the guest of a member. The Union League enforces a dress code, among other formal traditions. However, you can expect impeccable service and expertly crafted cocktails from the club’s staff.
Which Cigar Bar Will You Visit?
What bar should you visit? We recommend going to all of them. But if you need help narrowing down your top pick, head to Holt’s Humidor, Bar & Lounge if you’ve got a larger group or want the ultimate cigar shopping experience in conjunction with an impressive bar. However, if you’re enjoying a night downtown and long for a place to sip cocktails and smoke after your dinner reservations, you can’t beat the intimacy of Ashton Cigar Bar.
