Much to the chagrin of Chicago cigar-lovers, 2008 brought into effect a smoking ban inside and within 15 feet of the city’s bars and restaurants. Where to smoke, now? We've found some of the best cigar-friendly spots around Chicago.

Where to Smoke Cigars-Chicago

Sadly, the days of enjoying a smoke over dinner and drinks are a thing of the past, but Chicagoans like to consider themselves innovators. We’ve done the legwork for you and found a several locales you might not have considered: don’t lock up that humidor just yet.

Chicago Cigar Shops

The era of men's clubs and barbershops has all but ended, and the 2008 ban has kicked cigar aficionados to the curb. And so, we give you: the cigar shops. Undoubtedly, the best places to smoke indoors these days are in one of the city’s fine tobacco shops, where you can enjoy a drink, a smoke and some good conversation. You know, the necessities.

Cigar Shops: Old Town

Nestled in Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood you'll find Up Down Cigar. Owner Diana Silvius is without a doubt Chicago’s tobacco “grande dame.” Former president of the RTDA, the tobacco retailer’s trade association, Silvius features a great cigar selection as well as a personal line that's worth checking out. During the summer months, Up Down Cigar hosts monthly gatherings for the Chicago Cigar Connoisseurs, where members can enjoy free food and cigars in the cigar shop’s outdoor garden.

Cigar Shops: The Loop

Open since 1857, Iwan Ries & Co. is a cigar shop where you can find old-world comforts, service, and prices all at once. It's a step back in time and a step in the right direction, with a great selection of cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, and all your smoking accessories (humidors, lighters, and more). Kick up your feet in their new, 1200-sq.-ft. smoking lounge for a few hours and talk cigars or politics—the perfect place to escape some of Chicago's more undesirable weather.

One of the finer cigar shops in the Windy City is Jack Schwartz Importer. And since it’s right by the Chicago Board of Trade, you can stop by during lunch to see high-strung traders cooling off with 20-buck stogies. It’s a place to both see—the views, of course—and to be seen. (Keep your ears open for some stock tips.)

Cigar Shops: Lakeview

The oddball of the bunch, Blue Havana is located in The Alley, a strip of hipster-type stores in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood. While it may be a trek from the Loop, this cigar shop is home of one of the city’s largest humidors. For a real Chicago experience, pick up a stogie and take a walk up to Wrigley Field.

Can't Find a Shop?

Stop by most liquor stores and you can find a decent selection of cigars. You may not get the ambiance of an old-school tobacco shop, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by the well-stocked humidor of low priced-cigars at Binny’s Beverage Depot, a chain of discount liquor stores.

Where to Smoke: Restaurants & Bars

Yes, there is an exception: Check out the beer garden at Fizz Bar & Grill, one of the few places left in the city where you can enjoy a smoke with your drink. Their huge beer garden is heated in the cold months for your year-round use and is furnished with couches, TVs, dartboards and beanbag games.

Where to Smoke: Outside

Yes, it seems a bit obvious to suggest you head outdoors, but we’re not just talking about strolling city streets with your stogie (although that’s also quite nice). With 24 miles of lakefront and 570 public parks, Chicago cigar-smokers have plenty of space outdoors.

During the summer, take a walk on the North Avenue Beach (1600 N. Lake Shore Dr.) and enjoy the sights and sounds of Lake Michigan. Or, head to the Asian-style Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. Find the public park that suits you best, from intimate, hidden niches to parks on a somewhat grander scale (Public Parks in Chicago).

The campus of the University of Chicago provides a great collegiate-style backdrop for any good smoking walk. Or, if you're in the mood to see lions, tigers and bears—oh my!—the Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and is completely free, making it a  great place to light up. (Just don’t blow smoke in the lions’ faces.)

Last but not least, what goes together better than cigars and a golf? The Chicago Park District’s nine- or 18-hole public courses will run you around $10-$20, but if you become a member, you’ll save some dough each round you play.