The Cigar Monkey

Laid back atmosphere. Great staff. Great selection. A great place to relax and socialize. If you go often enough to meet some of the «regulars» then you’ve made some new friends.

We have never had a bad experience. This shop even ran a cigar bar at my wedding. I trust them wholeheartedly. They are very knowledgable and are usually spot on with their suggestions. They have a lounge where you can sit and socialize and smoke.

ok Cigar Monkey is a small little place with big hit’s coming to it.
Oct 30^th rocky Patel had a Road Show there. and the last two times I was there things are going on. I came in before RP show started and the owner still gave me the deal RP was doing. I walked out of the store with four nice stick and three new RP sticks that I have never had. and He through one in for free. Cigar Monkeys is a good place.

They have very little knowledge on cigars, don’t know how they are in business with such poor ethics. Extremely rude, inconsiderate, and creepy! Watch out for the Tobacco Beatles!!!

Bottom line: TOBACCO BEETLES — CIGAR NEGLIGENCE
If I could, I would give a BELOW one star rating. Why? oh let me tell you my experience…
I walk in. I wouldn’t say i’m a connoisseur but I have been smoking (cigars) a while and find them delightful from time to time. I don’t really buy boxes in stores anymore because the prices are insane (buying mostly online instead). That’s besides the point. I go in there to try out a new cigar. Maybe i’ll love it and buy a box online. I’ve been jimmying for something different.
Anyways, I go in, confronted by a lady who’s nice. I tell her i’m just looking and don’t really need help. She leaves me be. I look into the glass cases where they keep their cigars (no walk in humidor) and to my surprise I see a small hole in one of the cigars… and OBVIOUS sign of a tobacco beetle infestation. This cigar is TRASHED, ever try to smoke and infested cigar? tastes like shit.
Anyways, I bring it up to her show her the hole and the hole the beetle chewed through in the plastic wrapper. point her to the box to which she proceeded to turn over the cigars next to it and tell me «huh, that must be the only one» — no. NO. one hole in one cigar DEMANDS an overhaul and a DEEP FREEZING of at LEAST the infested box, if not the hole row of boxes.
Okay moving on, I continue to look around, thinking well, maybe it’s just that box. I don’t really appreciate how she handled it but whatever… I keep looking
I go to a totally new section of the store and look around another glass case of cigars and the very first box i look into has cigars ridden with holes.
I’m out.
My suggestion. Don’t even walk in.

First off. Im a Monkey and a devoted customer to the Monkey. I love this place. Not many know the owners or what is the Monkey. But you should Get to know them!
When i first started to go here, i was in and out then smoking my cigar around main st with the night life. Then one day, I when in as usual, got my cigar, and walked out the door to smoke. As i did so, the invited me to sit with them and hang out. Of course i had nothing else to do, so i sat. Smoked my cigar, talked and joked. watched the drunk people bar hopping. and just had a great time. So i got myself another cigar. But that was only the beginning. 2 and a half years later. Im now and have been a regular for 2 and a half years.
Also… Mike & Janet. the head Monkeys (owners) Are a great People! and they have a great sense of humor! So do the rest of the monkeys (regulars).
So dont be shy! Stop by, Hang out, Joke around! everyones welcomed! and between thur-​sat around 9 pm to well. late lol you could find me smokin my cigar there.
I recommend this place for every first time smokers and the seasoned ones too!
By the way. I just might be stopping by tonight :)

Mike, Janet, and Winston (cigar lounge dog) are very accommodating and friendly… it’s like they opened their living room to the public. Come by and enjoy a cigar. Smoke a cigar it’s cheaper than therapy.

The Owners of the tobacco store are true professionals. As a passerby of Merced I was pleased with the sincere efforts to accomodate their customers. They are not in your face trying to close a sale but are very helpful in pointing out what’s on sale. Great choice of pipe tobacco and a nice selection of accessories. If Cigar Monkey was in Orange County I’d shop there regularly as they put franchises like Tinder Box to shame.

Even though I know my way around a cigar store & I am knowledgeable about cigars after smoking them for over 20 years it is still refreshing to be helped by the owners Mike & Janet along with there side kick Winston who will even sit when you ask him to. The place is clean & well stocked & even has hooka supplies & the burning charcoal which is great for powdered incense burning. Stopping by just to say Howdy is encouraged as well.

This shop may lack the tapestries of high-​end establishments, but the personable service of the owner has turned me into an immediate repeat customer. He patiently and with great passion initiated me into pipe smoking, a hobby I now thoroughly enjoy. On my second visit, after having made the initial sale the week prior, he skillfully assisted me in cleaning my pipe, discussed the pros and cons of a certain line, then spent over 45 minutes with me explaining the different types of tobacco and styles of cut, etc. When I made a small purchase to replenish my supply, he shook my hand and was genuinely pleased to have simply helped. He is a true enthusiast.
The crowd is knowledgeable and enjoyable to be around without being overly intrusive of newcomers. They carry everything from $ 6 cobs to pipes that would meet a serious financial investment, and many in between. Their selection of tobacco seems excellent, with sampling before purchase encouraged with couches and chairs to take your time.
If remotely interested in a local tobacconist, pay the Cigar Monkey a visit. Speak with the owner, don’t be shy (he will let you browse without hassle) and put your needs out on the table. You’ll be well taken care of.

The gist: Staff and crowd are friendly
I came in to buy a cigar for my non-​smoker cousin. I was embarrassed to tell the cashier neither I nor my cousin were smokers, but when the truth came out, everything was okay. He recommended a coffee cigar, which I cannot tell you if it was good or not, but it fit nicely in my cigar box from the antique shop!

I’m not a cigar connoisseur, but I do occasionally smoke one, and I like to buy them for friends & my lover for special occasions. However, I do know good customer service when I see it, so I figure I’m entitled to review this fine establishment:
1) It’s kind of like Cheers without the alcohol. There is seating in the back and out in the front of the store, and a chess table with chairs in one display table, so you can hang out and enjoy your cigar AND get to know the locals.
2) The staff are ALL friendly and helpful, even if you’re a girl who is coughing because there’s too much smoke. From the owner to the young blonde guy, they have all been extremely polite/​professional and do not ignore me when I walk in.
3) Like wineries have wine-​tastings, this place has cigar tastings from time to time. It tends to be free.
4) From what I can tell, they have a good selection. Obviously, it isn’t as big as the cigar place (s) in Fresno or elsewhere, but this place definitely sells more than swishers. Just tell the owner what you’re looking for (smooth, light, & creamy, or dark and spicy? long or short?) and he’ll take you to 5 different cigar varieties. He knows his stuff.
My only complaint? Ventilation. I’ve been to the cigar place in Fresno, and indoors, they have vents in the ceiling that whisk away the smoke. I’m sure you’re still getting secondhand smoke up the ying-​yang, but at least you’re not choking while you acquire cancer.