Beaches, the boardwalk, and some of the East Coast’s finest casino gaming - in a largely cigar-friendly climate - are the lures of New Jersey’s city by the shore.

By Glenn Haussman

Las Vegas may the first place people think of when it comes to smoking a quality stick when the urge to roll the dice strikes, but Atlantic City, New Jersey, is finally giving Sin City some stiff competition. Having shed the onus of being a daytrip getaway for blue-haired, oxygen-tank-toting old ladies, the city by the shore has transformed itself into an upscale multi-day resort destination.

The opening of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa two years ago created a seismic shift in how the gaming business should be perceived, waking the city out of its 25-year stupor and forcing change that revolutionized and modernized the entire market. And while this is good news for the avid gambler, the city is facing a crossroads when it comes to its attitude toward smoking. For now, Atlantic City casino executives are united in their support of their smoking patrons’ rights, but in many places throughout the city, non-smoking areas are popping up as well. Though it’s hard to disagree with the logic of creating spaces for both smokers and non-smokers to enjoy Atlantic City’s panoply of offerings, New Jersey state legislators are angling to make the state entirely smoke-free.

Recently, a bill has been passed around the legislature that would essentially snuff out smoking in the Garden State. Fortunately, there is a clause in the proposed law exempting casinos, but if certain legislators have their way, the casino’s ability to cater to tobacco users will vanish in a puff of smoke. A statewide referendum is scheduled for November, giving locals a chance to voice their opinion at the polls.

There is a serious concern that, by next summer, hitting a hard eight while smoking a stogie could be a thing of the past. Casino executives are girding for the worst, but hoping for an exemption from what many view as a ridiculous law.

Atlantic City is still doing its best to make sure cigar and pipe smokers feel welcome. Both in the casinos and in the surrounding ‘burbs, smokers have plenty of reason to venture “down the shore” for a visit.

On the Boardwalk, the best place to find a quality smoking experience is at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Here in The Quarter, the property’s new 200,000 square-foot 1940’s Havana-style entertainment and dining complex, you’ll find the Tinder Box/Vino 100. The store features high-end cigars and accessories, as well as 100 domestic and imported wines priced at $25 or less.

This gorgeous shop - the flagship of the Vino 100 concept - features a wall-length, cedar-lined humidor featuring thousands of cigars priced between $1.50 and $42 per stick. Bustling with longtime and novice smokers alike, the Tinder Box/Vino 100 has been a fantastic success since opening last Thanksgiving. It’s open and airy, creating the perfect environment for browsing the vast selection of cigars offered here. Best yet, if you can smoke it, this store sells it.

“Every day is like the Fourth of July here,” says Stephen Swartz, vice president of store operations with Tinder Box. “We have cigars to appeal to everyone, from flavored cigars to Davidoff - the Rolls Royce of cigars.”

The cigar assortment runs the gamut from the fun and popular ACIDs, which are fermented in a variety of botanicals and favored by younger smokers, to more traditional cigars such as the limited-edition Padrón Anniversary series and the Tinder Box’s own Private Stock line. The store also sells S.T. DuPont and Davidoff lighters, high-end single malt Scotches, and Arnolfo di Cambio hand-blown leaded crystal, featuring the famous “Brunello” wine tasting glass.

As the Tropicana’s exclusive purveyor of cigars, Tinder Box has arranged for some of the Quarter’s finest restaurants to offer up a select menu of their smokes. Restaurants such as The Palm steakhouse, the Russian-inspired Red Square (which features more than 100 vodkas) and the Irish pub Ri Ra all give smokers a reason to visit the Quarter.

Also here is Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, a Latin eatery featuring contemporary Cuban cuisine set against a re-creation of Old Havana. Smokers will want to visit the restaurant’s Havana Libre, an intimate smokers’ lounge featuring living room- style seating in an atmosphere reminiscent of a cigar bar found on the island nation. “Cigars are such an important part of the Cuban culture, we wanted an area where cigar smokers could feel comfortable,” says co-owner Barry Gutin, who notes the restaurant has more than 100 varieties of rum. “This is a great opportunity to buy a quality cigar and pair it with some great rum. We have very complex rums that have the characteristics of cognac.”

Another destination where the cigar smoker feels at home is The Borgata. Italian for “village,” this $1.1 billion gaming Mecca is home to several cigar-friendly venues. Sleek and modern, The Borgata has taken Las Vegas style and transported it to the Jersey shore. Smokers will be sure to want to start their trip here with a stop at Borgata Collection, a gift shop that doubles as the casino’s cigar outpost. The store sells a variety of sticks including Cohibas, Ashtons, Romeo y Julietas, and Fuentes. Whether you’re a high-rolling whale or a somewhat smaller fish, Borgata gives you exclusive access to a rich assortment of top-shelf fare, like Arturo Fuente Hemingway, Ashton Churchill, Cohiba Crystal Corona, Macanudo Hampton Court, Macanudo Portofino, and Partagas No. 1.

The Borgata experience is fully savored when enjoying cigars in just the right venue, and this hotel has several places to have a smoke, no matter what your mood. There is Gypsy Bar, a small restaurant serving a mix of eclectic cuisine, including soups and chilis. There are also 80 tequilas to choose from, more than a dozen beers, and the signature Gypsy Sangria. This is also the perfect place to catch a live band while hanging out in a casual atmosphere. Located on the casino floor is B Bar, which serves up the AMPsolut cocktail, a brandy Alexander made with ice cream and the property’s widest variety of vodkas. Box Bar is another live music venue where smokers rule the roost. Overnight guests will also enjoy a relaxing smoke when rejuvenating by the indoor pool, relaxing in a private cabana, or taking a dip in the hot tub.

Then there are Bally’s Casino Resort - which also houses the Wild Wild West casino - and Caesars Atlantic City, both of which commissioned J.C.Pendergast to create custom handcrafted humidors to complement the casino experience for cigar enthusiasts. Both casino resorts carry cigars from Ashton, Arturo Fuente, Macanudo, Cohiba, Montecristo, and Romeo y Julieta. They also carry S.T. Dupont gift items that include signature lighters, cutters, and a full array of cigar accessories.

“Bally’s and Caesars Atlantic City are proud to offer the finest selection of cigars and accessories for our guests to enjoy. Our hand picked selection of fine cigars offer a wide variety of choices for the cigar enthusiasts who visit our casino resorts and expect a first-class experience, complemented with the ultimate in amenities,” says Bally’s senior vice president of casino marketing Steve Hann.

When at Bally’s, be sure to visit Blue Martini. Cool and sophisticated, this upscale bar has more than 100 variations on the classic martini and features a bar with a built-in frosted ice rail guaranteed to keep your drink cool. The bar also has 26 vodkas and a great selection of single malt Scotches. At Caesars, smokers love to take a break and enjoy their cigar at Toga, a bar located right in the center of the casino floor. This Roman-themed bar includes specialty drinks such as Aphrodite’s Kiss, Godiva’s Delight, and Eve’s Temptation.

However, cigar lovers looking for the quintessential cigar lounge experience will want to hop in the car and take a ride out to Cigar Box, Atlantic City’s most authentic smoking destination. Opened eight years ago and re-imagined in 2001, Cigar Box sports a friendly, club-like atmosphere. Comfortable leather couches and recliners face a large-screen television where locals gather to watch football, golf, and special events. There are also lockers for rent, where regulars stow their cigars and liquors.

But most impressive is the store’s vast selection. “From bundles to high-end sticks, we run the gamut. We have cigars representing every major brand. And if for some reason we don’t have it, we can get it,” says owner Bob Tyjewsky. “We have a real sense of community here. It is like ‘Cheers’ without the beer.”

The Cigar Box also has an oversized cedar-lined humidor, which Tyjewsky says adds a “little tang” to his cigars. Popular brands here are Graycliff, Diamond Crown Maximus, Padrón 1926, and a full line of pipes and tobacco. This summer, Cigar Box will have several cigar tastings, which Tyjewsky promises will give smokers a good education. A smaller version of the Cigar Box in Ventnor - which is adjacent to the Atlantic City casinos - features a small lounge and coffee shop, as well as signature cigars.

Located a few doors down from the Cigar Box’s main outpost is the very nondescript Northfield News & Tobacco. Half magazine shop, half smoker’s paradise, this cigar superstore is a great place to run in to grab some sticks to enjoy later on down by the shore. OpusX is a favorite here, as well as Ashton, Pinar P3000, Macanudo, Cohiba, Churchill, Acid, and Dunhill. Though too shy to be quoted by Smoke, the staff here takes pride in what they do and are extremely friendly, knowledgeable and willing to share their expertise.

Also in Ventnor, Smoker’s Haven offers smokers access to a variety of cigars just a few miles from the casino action downtown. This shop also has novelty cigars labeled “It’s a Boy” and “It’s a Girl” for a proud papa to hand out to all his friends. A full range of smoker accessories is for sale, as well. “Our store is the perfect place to pop in and pick up your favorite cigar,” says William Kerstein, Sr., the father of the shop’s owner, William Kerstein.

Moreover, with the summer kicking into full gear, Atlantic City has something else up its sleeve for cigar smokers looking to take advantage of the city by the shore’s great outdoors: beach bars.

What started out as a gamble by a couple of casinos three summers ago has turned into a full-scale trend this year, with no less that eight beach bars scheduled to run through Labor Day. This year, Resorts Atlantic City is out to be the prototypical beach bar with the debut of Nikki Beach, a 90,000 square-foot entertainment complex modeled after its Miami namesake. Nikki Beach will include Penrod’s Elbo Room - a beach bar, restaurant and lounge - as well as the Nikki Beach Amphitheatre, which will host a series of summer concerts in the sand.

Down the Boardwalk, Caesars Sand Box Beach Bar and Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar will feature live entertainment, drink specials galore, and a variety of moderately priced food items. Caesars Sand Box will also feature the Boardwalk’s first hot tubs, installed in two of their seven private cabanas.

Trump Plaza will also again host its own Beach Bar, which will once again serve as a meeting place for cigar lovers. “We took a bar that you’d see in any vacation destination, and we blew it out last year, and will do even more this year,” promises Frank Freedman, VP F&B with Trump Plaza. Table seating for close to 300 will serve an assortment of sushi, salads, wraps, and sandwiches, along with other light bar fare. The bar opens at noon daily, and features many free giveaways throughout the week.

This summer, a trip to Atlantic City will pay off in spades. Or hearts, diamonds, and clubs. While you never know if you’ll will win or lose at the gaming tables and slot machines - or, in fact, what the future holds for this cigar-friendly town - right now, there is one safe bet in Atlantic City: that you are guaranteed to find a quality smoke, and a great place to enjoy it.