A:
You remember correctly and the good news is that the Medici Cigar Store in the Monte Carlo is still alive and kicking, selling major brands including Macanudo, Cohiba, Monte Cristo, Arturo Fuento, and others, plus humidors, lighters, and other accessories and paraphernalia.
We’re guessing the store you were thinking of on the Strip near to MGM Grand was the Las Vegas Cigar Company, which formerly had an outlet in the Hawaiian Marketplace on the Strip. This store no longer exists, although the company still has its location at 2510 E. Sunset Road.
As far as other cigar stores on and around the Strip are concerned, here are some suggestions:
- Davidoff of Geneva has outlets at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay (both open 10 a.m.-midnight weekdays and until 2 a.m. on weekends), and Mandalay Place (10 a.m.-10 p.m.; 11 p.m. weekends).
- Caesars Palace has two options. In the hotel-casino is the Colosseum Cigars store, open from 10 a.m.-midnight weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends. It stocks well-known brands, including Fuente, Padron, Ashton, and its own house brand. Casa Fuente in the Forum Shops is a bar/lounge in addition to being a Fuente store and is open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m.-midnight on weekends.
- The Mirage is home to The Roasted Bean, which stocks a good selection of brands, including Partagas, Romeo & Juliet, Macanudo, Arturo Fuente, and Las Vegas’ own Havana Honeys. It’s open from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 24 hours Thursday through Monday.
- Mardi Gras Cigars in the Rio is open 10 a.m. till midnight (1 a.m. on the weekend) and sells Ashton, Arturo Fuente, Padron, Monte Cristo, Partagas, Macanudo, Gloria Cubana, Romeo & Juliet, Diamond Crown, and pre-embargo Cubans.
- The Golf Pro Shop at the Wynn stocks Monte Cristo, Arturo Fuente, Havana Honeys, La Gloria Cubana, Churchill, Dunhill, Romeo & Juliet, Macanudo, and Opus X. Hours vary with the golf season; it’s currently open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Surprisingly, Bellagio does not have a cigar store, but the Petrossian Lounge there has a pretty well-stocked humidor.
- Mr Bill’s is a Las Vegas-based chain of cigar stores with a huge inventory of brands. The one closest to the Strip is at 4441 W. Flamingo Rd. (by the Palms) and is open 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. You can visit the Web site at www.mrbills.com
- One of our personal favorites is the Havana Cigar Company at
3900 Paradise Rd. (next to Ruth’s Chris and Firefly, with another venue out at MonteLago Village). It’s got a huge walk-in humidor, plus a tiny lounge area, a wine bar, and an adjacent wine shop. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. It’s open 9 a.m.-1 a.m. (10 p.m. Sundays. Tel: 702/892-9555)
- A reader wrote in recommending the Don Yeyo Cigar Factory (328 W. Sahara, just west of the Big Gift Store, tel: 702/384-9262) "They make their own cigars and the label says Las Vegas. I always get some there when in town and order by mail in between."
- Last but not least, the Don Pablo Cigar Company, located at 3049 Las Vegas Blvd S. (opposite where the Stardust used to be) is an old-time favorite and if you call in from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can watch the cigar rollers at work. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. (Tel: 702/369-1818).
For our list of cigar lounges in Las Vegas where you can enjoy your smokes, which, we regret to inform you have greatly diminished in number following the smoking ban, just click here. The news is better for hookah fans, however. You can find our list of the growing number of hookah lounges
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