Habana House Cigar Lounge - South Austin — Local services in Austin

My 2nd favorite cigar shop & lounge in Austin. Pipe World is #1, but this is a close 2nd. This family owned business was started by the guy who owned Ruta Maya coffee shop (remember that, Austinites?). Well, when Ruta folded it's down town location the owner decided it was a great opportunity to diversify with not only coffee, but tobacco. So, he struck out conservatively and wisely into being a tobacconist. The result, two beautiful and popular locations North & South. I was told by one customer before I visited that they had the best humidor in the city-which is true. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the hours are phenomenal and the selection other worldly. They also have multiple events of lesser known tobacco companies and specials for their patrons. This works because from what I've been told, the owner did his research, listened to and hired very savvy managers who have put together the equivalent of Las Vegas in the desert. Finally, he did the smartest thing possible-stayed away and let his business flourish.

So, why #2 & not #1, two reasons, just two (and I'm particular) is the North location is near Lakeway Mall (30-45 minutes north of DT-but accessible even by city bus), but the southern location (much smaller) is closer to DT just past St. Edwards University (also accessible by city buses). The 2nd is they are pricey-I mean steep. As a bargain cigar smoker, there's not many $5 and under sticks to be found in the humidor (and there's been a recent spike in some brands prices as much as .50 cents per stick)-definitely no Bueno!-but I can't blame...

This is my first time at this cigar. Shop in Austin, Texas. It's been a long, long time since I've been up here to Austin, and we came from Galveston and South Houston, best friend wedding and these people here were freaking awesome. Dude I gotta say I told them what kind of cigars I smoked down in Galveston. What the binder is and everything to go with it. What kind of notes I look for and these guys have picked out a very awesome Jacobs, ladder lancero I smoked today, oh my God, it was amazing. I enjoyed it very much. The atmosphere is awesome. I met a lot of cool new people at the cigar lounge as well. And everybody was so friendly and so you know, enthusiastic. About smoking cigars and just talking shop and reminiscing, you know, on events that we've been to and stuff like that and places to go in different places to go and try. So I will definitely be back up to Austin. And anybody that goes, I suggest y'all definitely stop here at this shop here on that in Austin, just to see them in and to go give them some business. They're very knowledgeable, very friendly staff. Very cool and it was just a very good experience. I appreciate it very much. Definitely a 5 star. If I could give more stars, I would, but it's definitely worth it. So number one on my bucket list for Austin. So anytime you swing by Austin, stop in this cigar shop, pick up a couple sticks and...

The Good: Went there on a sunday, had a great experience. Staff member working was quiet initially but opened up when I started asking questions. Showed me around the collection and made a recommendation. The Bad: Showed up pretty close to closing time on Monday, and the owner stopped me at the door with "you can't hang out, we're closing." I asked if I could come in and buy some to which he agreed. He then stood behind the register glaring at me while I went into the humidor. I told him that I wanted to buy a few boxes and asked for help in selection. He rolled his eyes and appeared pretty upset that I was holding him up from closing the store. So I left without buying anything. It's a shame because had this one guy (the owner) not been so off-putting, this would otherwise have been a great lounge for me...