Visiting the OBX Cigar Lounge: The Outer Banks’ Only Cigar Lounge

As much as I enjoy smoking cigars on the beach or a seaside porch when visiting the Outer Banks of North Carolina, it can sometimes be a challenge. Wind, blowing sand, and the occasional rain shower — especially common in the early fall when we usually visit — often put a damper on the smoking time.

That’s why I was especially glad to discover the OBX Cigar Lounge this year. Tucked inside Tap That OBX, which is also home to Shut the Barn Door Coffee (open mornings only), the lounge opened after our last visit in 2022. I’d been eager to check it out, and during this trip I managed to stop by twice.

On my first visit, I found the staff relaxing with cigars on the porch out front. After several days of outdoor smoking, I was ready for a more “civilized” setting. Mark, a knowledgeable and welcoming guide, walked me through the well-stocked humidor, where I picked a cigar to enjoy on the spot along with a few extras to take home.

The Tap That OBX bar in the front of the building wasn’t open yet — the three businesses keep different but slightly overlapping hours — but the cigar lounge staff are able to serve simple pours of beer or bourbon before the bar officially opens. I went with a local craft beer, Jimmy Buffett Ruined My Life from Swells’a Brewing to accompany a tasty Micallef Black cigar.

The lounge itself is intimate, with seven plush leather chairs. Despite the small footprint, the space feels bright and comfortable. White walls help open it up, and the air-handling system is impressive: a Rabbit Air purifier on the wall, a large air cleaning unit overhead, and a small but powerful air conditioner. Even later that day, when six of us were smoking at once, the air remained surprisingly clear.

The company was just as enjoyable as the atmosphere. That first afternoon I found myself chatting with visitors from Pennsylvania and Virginia, one of the lounge’s owners, and Mark, who stayed busy helping walk-in customers. The conversations were lively, friendly, and welcoming.

On a rainy afternoon later in the week, I returned for another visit and was greeted in the humidor by Rocco. I settled in with a small pour of 1792 Small Batch Bourbon with a Padrón 1964. The afternoon was spent swapping stories with fellow patrons, including another of the owners, Phil, who shared some fascinating insights about cigars and people in the industry.

Billed — accurately — as “the only cigar lounge on the Outer Banks,” OBX Cigar Lounge turned out to be exactly the kind of oasis every cigar smoker hopes to discover: inviting seating, friendly company, a well-curated humidor, and the option to pair it all with a good pour. I never need much convincing to plan a trip back to the Outer Banks, and the lounge has secured its place as a must-visit stop on every future visit.

Cheers!