PIPS Lifestyle
Wave 1 City · Now Live

Chicago

A 19th-century tobacconist, a Gold Coast mansion, and Old Town smoke.

Chicago's cigar story is the country's oldest: Iwan Ries has been trading on Wabash since 1857, the Biggs Mansion pours in an 1874 Gold Coast landmark, and Up Down Cigar has anchored Old Town for generations. Jazz history, architecture, and a proper winter lounge season, the family will feel at home.

12Lounges
5Black-Owned
11Areas
2PIPS Events
PIPS Travel Concierge
Coming to Chicago? Let us plan the whole trip.
Where to stay, eat, drink and smoke — built around the lounges on this page.
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Lounge Map

Tap a gold pin to see the lounge and jump to its card below.

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Browse by Neighborhood

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All Lounges

The Loop

Iwan Ries & Co.

19 S Wabash Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL
Call to confirm hours

America's oldest family-run tobacconist, trading on Wabash Avenue since 1857, with a second-floor smoking lounge in an 1881 building.

Pip’s Tip Oldest family-run tobacconist in America, trading since 1857. The lounge is up on the second floor, not street level.

Gold Coast

Biggs Mansion

1150 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL
Call to confirm hours

Private cigar club inside an 1874 Gold Coast mansion, fireplaces, leather and Gilded Age rooms. Day passes available; business casual.

Pip’s Tip Private club inside an 1874 Gold Coast mansion, so call before you count on getting in.

Old Town

Up Down Cigar

1550 N Wells St, Chicago, IL
Call to confirm hours

The Old Town institution on Wells Street, generations of Chicago smoke.

Pip’s Tip The Old Town institution on Wells Street, generations deep.

Countryside

Casa de Montecristo, Countryside

Countryside, IL
Call to confirm hours

Chicagoland's flagship lounge, one of the biggest humidors in the Midwest.

Pip’s Tip Chicagoland's flagship lounge, one of the biggest humidors in the Midwest.

Downers Grove

The Place for Cigar Aficionados

Downers Grove, IL
Call to confirm hours

West suburbs' members-friendly den.

Pip’s Tip West suburbs' members-friendly den.

River North

The Clayton

Chicago, IL
Call to confirm hours

Private-club polish in River North.

Pip’s Tip Private-club polish in River North.

West Town

Tesa Cigar Company

Chicago, IL
Call to confirm hours

Chicago's own boutique brand, rolled and smoked on site.

Pip’s Tip Chicago's own boutique brand, rolled and smoked on site.

Skokie

Cigar King, Skokie

Skokie, IL
Call to confirm hours

North Shore humidor with lounge chairs.

Pip’s Tip North Shore humidor with lounge chairs.

Berwyn

Cigars & Stripes

Berwyn, IL
Call to confirm hours

BBQ, comedy and cigars, Berwyn's gloriously weird institution.

Pip’s Tip BBQ, comedy and cigars, Berwyn's gloriously weird institution.

Arlington Heights

Arlington Pipe & Cigar

Arlington Heights, IL
Call to confirm hours

Northwest suburbs' old-school counter.

Pip’s Tip Northwest suburbs' old-school counter.

Milwaukee

Uhle's Pipe Shop

Downtown Milwaukee, WI
Call to confirm hours

90 minutes north, Milwaukee's 1939 tobacco landmark.

Pip’s Tip 90 minutes north, Milwaukee's 1939 tobacco landmark.

Featured Lounge

B
This month's family spotlight

Biggs Mansion

An 1874 Gold Coast mansion turned cigar sanctuary, fireplaces, leather, and rooms that remember the Gilded Age. Day passes open the door; the experience keeps you coming back.

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Upcoming in Chicago

TBAOct

PIPS Chicago Meetup: Gold Coast

The family's first Chicago night, before the cold sets in.

Details
19Sep

Party in Palm Springs: Family Weekend

Destination weekend & Wave 1 celebration. Travel packages for members.

Details

Plan Your Visit

Where to Stay

  • The Loop, steps from Iwan Ries and the El.
  • Gold Coast / Old Town, one neighborhood, two lounges, walk between them.
  • River North, central to all three.
  • Hotel partner links go here, a natural sponsorship slot.

Getting Around

  • Flying in: O'Hare or Midway, the Blue and Orange Lines run downtown.
  • The El puts all three lounges within a short ride.
  • Walk it: Biggs and Up Down are 10 minutes apart on foot.
  • Winter tip: this is the best indoor-lounge town in America.

City Sponsor

Chicago is live.

Chicago is live, from an 1857 tobacconist to a Gilded Age mansion. The Midwest chapter starts here.