Where to go in Baton Rouge

junkinduck · 02-18-2012, 10:39 AM

I will be traveling with the wife on business in March. She has meetings and I will have time to kill during the day. Any good B&Ms in Baton Rouge? Also traveling down to New Orlines for a day any hotel recomendations?

Chainsaw13 · 02-18-2012, 11:32 AM

Check out either Ashtons B&B or the HH Whitney B&B when in Nola. They're just outside the FQ on Esplanade. Both great places to stay and better than a hotel.

junkinduck · 02-18-2012, 01:30 PM

I looked at both online and they look nice. And a good value compared to the FQ hotels. We will not have a car and would like to be able to walk. We will only be there for an afternoon/evening flying out the next morning. Are the B&Bs walkable tothe FQ?

Chainsaw13 · 02-18-2012, 02:01 PM

Yep, you can walk to the FQ from either. Theyre only a few hundred feet from each other and about half a mile from the FQ. I've done it many a time. Depending on how late (and how drunk you are) you can take a cab ride back and it shouldn't cost too much.

Chainsaw13 · 02-18-2012, 08:05 PM

Forgot to add, both places are cigar friendly, outside on the veranda or the back patios. Patrick smokes cigars and puts on a nice herf every spring. I cant wait to get back down there. Less than two months!

Silound · 02-19-2012, 01:54 PM

Oh joy, something I can help with since I was BR native for 20 years

There are a handful of places in Baton Rouge you can stop for a smoke or two, but just so you know Louisiana state tobacco tax for cigars is 20% of the wholesale price, so our prices can be a dollar or two higher than MSRP.

Don Juan's Cigar Company has a location in BR, fairly close to the center of everything, very nice lounge area, a pretty varied selection (huge humidor). They're pretty much exactly what you would expect from a modern B&M establishment, but expect to pay a bit more for your smokes there.

Churchill's on Jefferson is a bar/liquor store/cigar shop. Tends to be where the money and "pretend money" hangs out at night. Nice place but since they're mostly a bar type place, the cigars are priced at bar prices (read: 2x MSRP). They are, however, the ONLY Davidoff White Label account in Baton Rouge that I know of. Selection leaves a lot to be asked for though.

Hemingway's on Jefferson is another hole in the wall type shop, but I don't know what's up with them. They've changed owners/managers like 4 times in as many years, and last time I was there the selection was nonexistent and the place was a dump. GRANTED, I haven't been there in about 2 years, and I hear the newest owner has renovated the lounge area, but I have no reason to go check it out unless I happen to be in town.

Also, there's a pub/grill style place called Fox & the Hound (chain place) that has food and drinks. They escaped the smoking ban by becoming a full on bar at night, but it's a mid to upper scale place that's cigar friendly and the food isn't bad at all during the day. Lots of good scotches and beers, prices are very reasonable. Just don't go at night or on a day that's a big sports/UFC day, the place is packed to the gills.

Now, here's the kicker. Can you escape about an hour's drive down I-10 to the *west*?

There's a great shop in Lafayette, The Cigar Merchant which (apropos any past employment I've had), is probably one of the best shops in the area. Full on lounge with all the amenities, private club area (day fee for non-members, but it can be waived), big screens, frequent domino or card games (poker in the afternoon in the club starting around 3-4), and more importantly a nice selection of smokes. The owner's a real nice guy, always willing to help people out.

Also, it's Lafayette, so there's only a dozen great places to eat in the city to great food, and there's a decent night life too. Personally, that's where I spend my lunch breaks and weekends

In NOLA, I personally like to stay at the Roosevelt New Orleans. It's a bit on the $$ side (I paid about $250 for a night a few months ago), but the Sazerac Bar is world-famous and the food is amazing. Plus, you're right near everything you could want to see or do.

thebayratt · 02-19-2012, 06:12 PM

Don Juans in Baton Rouge is a nice large shop.
Churchills is a Cigar Bar with food as well, never been there though.
Hemmingways is a quaint small shop with a decent selection.

About 45mins or so east in Covington is Habana Port Cigar Merchants. That is one of my favorite shops in the NOLA area.

Cresant City Cigars is a must stop (for me) in NOLA. Small shop, but has a nice selection of some botiques.

I'd stay in Metarie (North NOLA). Its a little cheaper and out of the way. But there is some road construction to deal with. I usually stay at the Veterans BLVd/I-10 area.

junkinduck · 02-20-2012, 04:51 PM

Thanks to all
I booked Ashton's B&B. Rooms are all but nonexistent for the 9th of March. Don't know what is going on may be the run up to NCAA?
I don't think I will have time to hit any cigar shops in NOLA we are only there over night and don't want to take from the wifes only day off. I will be doing all of my lounging in Baton Rouge earlier in the week. I think her company booked the Hyatt. Will try to hit the shops near there. By the way, what weather can we expect in early March?

OLS · 02-20-2012, 06:48 PM

One thing about NO, it's booked up m ost of the year, so you are always lucky to find something you like.
Of course, post-Katrina there were slowdowns, but it is in high-gear now. Enjoy yourself and don't
urinate in the street, please.

Do yourself a favor and catch the streetcar on Canal St. near Carondolet
and ride it uptown to Mayan Imports on Magazine St. If the weather is good, you will LOVE both the ride
and the store. best thing about the streetcar is that Your wife will DIG IT!!! I mean dig it!. Act like it is
all about HER. There is a nece gelato shop (Sucre) across the street from Mayan Imports, too, and a nice
coffee shop a few blocks back in the direction you came from, Community Coffee house.

http://www.bigeasytobacconist.com/

If you want to hear some music and smoke and drink, ride the streetcar all the way down to near the Riverbend District,
visit Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar bar.... http://www.dosjefescigarbar.com/ The scenery you pass on the short ride
will stun you and please her.

Chainsaw13 · 02-20-2012, 09:13 PM

Excellent recommendations Brad. Dos Jefes is a great locals bar. Don, I hope you enjoy Ashton's. Patrick and Karma are good people.

Silound · 02-20-2012, 09:45 PM

The weather will either be hot and muggy or muggy and hot. There isn't much in between

thebayratt · 02-20-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junkinduck

..... By the way, what weather can we expect in early March?

Right now we are around low to mid 60s during the day and 40s at night. So it will probably be 70s during the day and 50s or so at night in mid March.
Pants and short sleaves should get you by. Maybe pack a long sleaved shirt or two just in case.

junkinduck · 02-20-2012, 10:10 PM

Thanks,
I really appreciate the help. You all have saved me a bunch of time and effort. I called Ashton's and they seemed like great folks.

junkinduck · 03-09-2012, 09:12 PM

Well i am sitting in my room at Ashton's. This is a really nice place. The people are great. Went into the Quarter for the afternoon/evening. Had a muffulatta at central grocery. Would put this on the must do for lunch. Had Coffee and beignets at cafe Du Monde. However I am getting too old for the night life. At 9:00 we were ready to go back to the room. I think I will go out on the porch and have a smoke.

Thaplumbr · 03-09-2012, 09:37 PM

Hope your enjoying a good one,myself id be having a good smoke and tearing up some crawfish...............enjoy brother

Chainsaw13 · 03-09-2012, 09:37 PM

Awesome. Tell Patrick I said hi (Bob Bentley).

junkinduck · 03-09-2012, 11:03 PM

I ate my weight in crawlfish this week. I ate 5# at Sammy's in Baton Rouge last night. I have eaten them every way I could find them this week but Sammy's was the best, just boiled. I just came in from the front porch where I found a xikar cutter, stinky, and an Alec Bradley table torch. I had an ilusioner 88. Smoked alone but enjoyed the peace and just watching the smoke before bed. I am now getting ready for bed in the softest sheets I think I have ever slept on. I would highly recommend Ashtons to anyone needing a room in NOLA.

02-18-2012, 10:39 AM	#1
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Where to go in Baton Rouge I will be traveling with the wife on business in March. She has meetings and I will have time to kill during the day. Any good B&Ms in Baton Rouge? Also traveling down to New Orlines for a day any hotel recomendations?

02-18-2012, 11:32 AM	#2
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Check out either Ashtons B&B or the HH Whitney B&B when in Nola. They're just outside the FQ on Esplanade. Both great places to stay and better than a hotel. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

02-18-2012, 01:30 PM	#3
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge I looked at both online and they look nice. And a good value compared to the FQ hotels. We will not have a car and would like to be able to walk. We will only be there for an afternoon/evening flying out the next morning. Are the B&Bs walkable tothe FQ?

02-18-2012, 02:01 PM	#4
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Yep, you can walk to the FQ from either. Theyre only a few hundred feet from each other and about half a mile from the FQ. I've done it many a time. Depending on how late (and how drunk you are) you can take a cab ride back and it shouldn't cost too much. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

02-18-2012, 08:05 PM	#5
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Forgot to add, both places are cigar friendly, outside on the veranda or the back patios. Patrick smokes cigars and puts on a nice herf every spring. I cant wait to get back down there. Less than two months! __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

02-19-2012, 01:54 PM	#6
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Oh joy, something I can help with since I was BR native for 20 years There are a handful of places in Baton Rouge you can stop for a smoke or two, but just so you know Louisiana state tobacco tax for cigars is 20% of the wholesale price, so our prices can be a dollar or two higher than MSRP. Don Juan's Cigar Company has a location in BR, fairly close to the center of everything, very nice lounge area, a pretty varied selection (huge humidor). They're pretty much exactly what you would expect from a modern B&M establishment, but expect to pay a bit more for your smokes there. Churchill's on Jefferson is a bar/liquor store/cigar shop. Tends to be where the money and "pretend money" hangs out at night. Nice place but since they're mostly a bar type place, the cigars are priced at bar prices (read: 2x MSRP). They are, however, the ONLY Davidoff White Label account in Baton Rouge that I know of. Selection leaves a lot to be asked for though. Hemingway's on Jefferson is another hole in the wall type shop, but I don't know what's up with them. They've changed owners/managers like 4 times in as many years, and last time I was there the selection was nonexistent and the place was a dump. GRANTED, I haven't been there in about 2 years, and I hear the newest owner has renovated the lounge area, but I have no reason to go check it out unless I happen to be in town. Also, there's a pub/grill style place called Fox & the Hound (chain place) that has food and drinks. They escaped the smoking ban by becoming a full on bar at night, but it's a mid to upper scale place that's cigar friendly and the food isn't bad at all during the day. Lots of good scotches and beers, prices are very reasonable. Just don't go at night or on a day that's a big sports/UFC day, the place is packed to the gills. Now, here's the kicker. Can you escape about an hour's drive down I-10 to the west? There's a great shop in Lafayette, The Cigar Merchant which (apropos any past employment I've had), is probably one of the best shops in the area. Full on lounge with all the amenities, private club area (day fee for non-members, but it can be waived), big screens, frequent domino or card games (poker in the afternoon in the club starting around 3-4), and more importantly a nice selection of smokes. The owner's a real nice guy, always willing to help people out. Also, it's Lafayette, so there's only a dozen great places to eat in the city to great food, and there's a decent night life too. Personally, that's where I spend my lunch breaks and weekends In NOLA, I personally like to stay at the Roosevelt New Orleans. It's a bit on the $$ side (I paid about $250 for a night a few months ago), but the Sazerac Bar is world-famous and the food is amazing. Plus, you're right near everything you could want to see or do. __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

02-19-2012, 06:12 PM	#7
thebayratt Still Watching My Ash Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Shawn Location: Mississippi Posts: 1,326 Trading: (11)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Don Juans in Baton Rouge is a nice large shop. Churchills is a Cigar Bar with food as well, never been there though. Hemmingways is a quaint small shop with a decent selection. About 45mins or so east in Covington is Habana Port Cigar Merchants. That is one of my favorite shops in the NOLA area. Cresant City Cigars is a must stop (for me) in NOLA. Small shop, but has a nice selection of some botiques. I'd stay in Metarie (North NOLA). Its a little cheaper and out of the way. But there is some road construction to deal with. I usually stay at the Veterans BLVd/I-10 area. __________________ Keep on smoking my friends! http://nicetightash.com/

02-20-2012, 04:51 PM	#8
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Thanks to all I booked Ashton's B&B. Rooms are all but nonexistent for the 9th of March. Don't know what is going on may be the run up to NCAA? I don't think I will have time to hit any cigar shops in NOLA we are only there over night and don't want to take from the wifes only day off. I will be doing all of my lounging in Baton Rouge earlier in the week. I think her company booked the Hyatt. Will try to hit the shops near there. By the way, what weather can we expect in early March?

02-20-2012, 06:48 PM	#9
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge One thing about NO, it's booked up m ost of the year, so you are always lucky to find something you like. Of course, post-Katrina there were slowdowns, but it is in high-gear now. Enjoy yourself and don't urinate in the street, please. Do yourself a favor and catch the streetcar on Canal St. near Carondolet and ride it uptown to Mayan Imports on Magazine St. If the weather is good, you will LOVE both the ride and the store. best thing about the streetcar is that Your wife will DIG IT!!! I mean dig it!. Act like it is all about HER. There is a nece gelato shop (Sucre) across the street from Mayan Imports, too, and a nice coffee shop a few blocks back in the direction you came from, Community Coffee house. http://www.bigeasytobacconist.com/ If you want to hear some music and smoke and drink, ride the streetcar all the way down to near the Riverbend District, visit Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar bar.... http://www.dosjefescigarbar.com/ The scenery you pass on the short ride will stun you and please her. Last edited by OLS; 02-20-2012 at 07:01 PM.

02-20-2012, 09:13 PM	#10
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Excellent recommendations Brad. Dos Jefes is a great locals bar. Don, I hope you enjoy Ashton's. Patrick and Karma are good people. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

02-20-2012, 09:45 PM	#11
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge The weather will either be hot and muggy or muggy and hot. There isn't much in between __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

02-20-2012, 10:10 PM	#13
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Thanks, I really appreciate the help. You all have saved me a bunch of time and effort. I called Ashton's and they seemed like great folks.

03-09-2012, 09:12 PM	#14
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Well i am sitting in my room at Ashton's. This is a really nice place. The people are great. Went into the Quarter for the afternoon/evening. Had a muffulatta at central grocery. Would put this on the must do for lunch. Had Coffee and beignets at cafe Du Monde. However I am getting too old for the night life. At 9:00 we were ready to go back to the room. I think I will go out on the porch and have a smoke.

03-09-2012, 09:37 PM	#15
Thaplumbr Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Leroy Location: Jacksonville Arkansas Posts: 585 Trading: (58)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Hope your enjoying a good one,myself id be having a good smoke and tearing up some crawfish...............enjoy brother __________________ Proud to be a TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS FAN!!

03-09-2012, 09:37 PM	#16
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge Awesome. Tell Patrick I said hi (Bob Bentley). __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

03-09-2012, 11:03 PM	#17
junkinduck Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Don Location: Chester, OH Posts: 170 Trading: (2)	Re: Where to go in Baton Rouge I ate my weight in crawlfish this week. I ate 5# at Sammy's in Baton Rouge last night. I have eaten them every way I could find them this week but Sammy's was the best, just boiled. I just came in from the front porch where I found a xikar cutter, stinky, and an Alec Bradley table torch. I had an ilusioner 88. Smoked alone but enjoyed the peace and just watching the smoke before bed. I am now getting ready for bed in the softest sheets I think I have ever slept on. I would highly recommend Ashtons to anyone needing a room in NOLA.