Cuban Cigar Factory, San Diego, California
Cuban Cigar Factory in San Diego used to be an actual cigar factory. As recently as 2005, a crew of Cuban and Dominican immigrants rolled cigars by hand at workstations in this small brick industrial loft in the Gaslamp District, the touristic heart of Downtown San Diego. That year, new owners made a shift, transforming the space into a true cigar lounge. They added a bar and adult beverages and stopped making cigars here, swapping the house-rolled smokes for a lineup of unbanded cigars made in half a dozen sizes by Rocky Patel. Photos of the old factory adorn the back corner past the bar, near a glass retail display case for cutters, lighters, ashtrays and portable humidors. To keep the spirit of tradition alive, a roller still comes in on weekends to demonstrate the cigar-making craft, but today, patrons select from one of close to 300 options in the large walk-in humidor at the rear of the lounge.
As you enter, clusters of comfortable leather chairs and couches surrounding low tables and ashtrays line the brick wall on the right-hand side, where the cigarmakers used to work. On the left side is the bar, with eight stools and a couple of television screens overhead. Sports, as expected, is very popular here—the place fills up before every Padres game, as Petco Park is just an easy few minutes’ walk from the bar. There’s a loft that used to be an office over the humidor, but most of the lounge is open all the way up to the high second story ceiling, giving it an airy feel. There is also some outdoor seating and great people watching on the sidewalk, as the lounge sits right on bustling Fifth Avenue, the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, which closes to traffic and becomes a pedestrian promenade from noon to midnight daily.
The walk-in humidor is large and packed, with a central island display and floor-to-ceiling shelves on all four walls that hold boxes and boxes familiar brands such as Arturo Fuente, Ashton, Cohiba, Davidoff, Diamond Crown, Drew Estate, El Septimo, Joya de Nicaragua, La Flor Dominicana, Leaf by Oscar, Macanudo, Padrón and Partagas. The private label cigars by Patel run $11 to $15, while entry-level name brand options include a Brick House Churchill ($14) and Arturo Fuente Double Chateau ($19). Higher-end selections include a Padrón 80th Anniversary edition ($64), Davidoff Aniversario No. 1 ($80) and Rocky Patel Conviction ($99).
The lounge is only licensed for beer and wine. There are three dozen wines offered by the glass, including heavy hitters such as Caymus and Opus One. The beer list is serious, with an extensive selection of craft brews on draught. There are typically a dozen options, and the bar offers growler fillings, bringing in a regular local crowd. The list changes and covers the entire United States and Europe, but this close to the border they usually have some interesting boutique Mexican options including Cerveceria de Colima. There are more than 50 additional choices in cans and bottles, including blonde, red, amber, brown and pale ales and an impressive lineup of Belgian sour and fruit beers. There is a smattering of hard ciders and seltzers as well.
Besides shopping and the baseball stadium, the big attractions within walking distance are the waterfront USS Midway naval museum and simply strolling the streets of this historic neighborhood. The centrally located Cuban Cigar Factory is a great place to take a break and just kick back and relax or catch a game. It’s got a warm and welcoming vibe, with a friendly staff and a nice mix of out-of-town visitors and locals, so everyone feels at home.
Cuban Cigar Factory
551 Fifth Avenue
San Diego, CA 91201
(619) 238-2496
https://cubancigarfactory.net/
Hours:
Open Sunday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Open Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
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