Knickerbockers Tobacconist

Went back to this place to check it out and WOW! This is THE best cigar lounge in the San Francisco Bay Area. Very good selection with lounge atmosphere that is one of a kind. Lounge seating in separate areas or in the comfortable tv viewing seating area. Tables where you can hide away and work in solitude. There is even an upstairs membership lounge (day passes available) the is secluded and away from any crowds. If you are in the San Francisco bay area you must check this place out. It will not disappoint.

It’s been a few years under the new ownership and this place continues to improve. There have been some friendlier staff in the store lately and there is now a private lounge area upstairs for when you just want to have a smoke without being bothered by anyone. The new steward — Rich? — is pretty good too.

Reddit is full of useful information. «What should I get for a guy for his stocking stuffer?» The list came back in abundance: razors, knives, condoms, cigars, matches, lottery tickets, scotch, and other «manly items.» We have six people living in this house: 4 out of 6 are male, so this list was easy.
I asked my grandmother where to get the cigars. «Oh, Knickerbockers!» How my grandma knew where a tobacconist shop is blows my mind of awesome. I hopped and skipped on over, only to find a great deal: a grab bag of four cigars for $ 25! How awesome! It meant I wasn’t getting one, but whatever. They have a great selection, it appears, and the place is incredibly classy. Men sitting down, having what appears to be a delightful conversation… I think one of these days, the husband and I may partake in learning a thing or two about cigars here. Fun afternoon, indeed.
Until then, keep it classy Menlo Park.

Excellent first experience with a tobacconist. I walked in with intent to only look at pipes for the winter, and ended up buying one. Very friendly environment to the newcomer, and Brandon was exceptionally helpful. I won’t go anywhere else!

You’ll find no girly men (of either sex) here. When I walked in a few weeks ago, 4 guys were playing cards at the table and the Lounge (complete with comfy couches) had the NBA playoffs on. And everyone except me had a stogie. What a great place to hang out!
In a way, Knickerbockers is a quieter extension of the BBC next door. Maybe it’s the dark woods, high ceilings, and old British Empire feel. And for smoking law nuances that I don’t fully understand, food and drink can apparently be consumed within. Add Wi-​fi, the Lounge, a huge cigar selection, the great smells, and the associated empty boxes for me, I’ll be back for a longer stay within this «Man Cave» during a future rainy day.

I have been here a handful of times and find the staff, clientele, and atmosphere fantastic. I enjoy smoking a good cigar with cool people and this place brings all that together. I do wish the humidors were situated away from the tables more. This would make it easier to find a cigar to smoke easier since the place can get crowded. My favorite items in this establishment are the couches and seating areas. The round poker tables are great for small groups and the couches let you sink into the woodwork while you are puffing on that tasty cigar. Take a load off in the little nook to your left as you enter if you are looking for a cozy spot to chill. They offer munchie food and sodas to help you ease those hunger pains or just order food from the restaurant next door.

THIS STORE IS FOR REGULARS ONLY.
Which is unfortunate, because the first time I came in here I bought a pipe and some tobacco and the lady who runs this place treated me amazingly well. I soon realized that it was only because her regulars weren’t there and I had come in during some down time.
The next time I came in she seemed in a hurry to rush us right back out the door and gave us attitude the entire time we were there. I asked about some tobacco she had recommended last time I was in, something she had drooled all over because it was «sooooo goood», and she snapped that she couldn’t remember — I hadn’t expected her to remember me, but considering how much she boasted this ONE kind of tobacco I thought she would remember it by description. She didn’t know, and wouldn’t listen to my description and just kept snapping off that she didn’t know what I was talking about and waving me to go find some tobacco from the corner. Unfortunately, since they completely rearranged the store, I didn’t know if I was supposed to go and get the large glass jar myself (she had amiably assisted me the previous time and I assume they don’t want customers handling the glass jars) and when I tried to ask her if she wanted me to just get the jar she huffed a sigh and marched over to the tobacco and started digging through it. I said I would just take some of a kind I pointed to in the front that I’d had previously, and she even more huffily asked «Well do you want what you were looking for or do you want that?!» with her hand on her hip. I said I would just take some of the one I was pointing at, and she grabbed it, marched behind the counter and said «What, you want like an ounce? And I need to see your I.D.»
I’m 30. I understand the need to card people who even remotely look like they might be under age, but she seemed to be using it as a way to get across how disinterested and annoyed she was that we were apparently invading her regulars movie time. As soon as I provided it for her she asked if that was all, despite the fact that the other people who had come in with me were still selecting cigars. I asked for a few more minutes, as there was no one else purchasing anything, and that seemed to tip her annoyance at us even farther.
I asked for matches, a request that went completely ignored, paid and left. In the car we all unanimously decided to never go back.
Apparently this is a regulars-​only place. If you’ve ever seen the movie «The Good Heart» then you’ll know what I’m talking about. Anyone who isn’t a regular apparently gets shuffled out and given the stink eye whenever the regular customers are in, which they were, stacked onto the sofas watching a movie.
As for me, I’m taking my business down the street to Edwards in Los Altos. Their selection is better for pipes, they are ALWAYS friendly, and they give you a free bowl of tobacco to sample in-​store before you buy. Not to mention the fact that you don’t have to duck around a bunch of old guys sitting on couches watching a movie, apologizing, just because you want to purchase something.
Besides, this place overcharges by leaps and bounds.

This is a classic cigar bar. I was a little intimidated as it was my introduction to the cigar world, but it was for my boyfriend so… The selection was enormous. They made a couple of suggestions for a nice smoke for me and I picked a mild flavored one for my first. it’s very much a guy’s place but I never felt unwelcome at all. Wonderful atmosphere and a an outdoor seating area with the BBC around the corner for a drink afterward.

I walked in and started looking around. – first time customer– so I walk in and lady behind the counter.: RUDE! I heard good things about this place but I will not go again. Lady sees me all tatted up asks for my i. d I handed it to her and she takes literally 5 minutes looking at my i. d looks at me and back to my I.d. then gives my i. d back. Looking at me from head to toe. As I ignore all that I look around for some hookah tabacco. Rudely she asks what I was looking for so I tell. She leads me to its petite selection. I look at there flavors and she’s standing there being impatient! so I Decide on a flavor. And as I go pay She takes the money and she looks at me and sighs like if I was taking up HER time… Shitty attitude I can say.0 stars in my book.

I was on a trip up north when I «yelp’d» to find this place. As soon as I walked in I felt at home in the man cave.
The selection was very strong in variety and quality, and their service was even better.
Bill and Frank were there and were more than welcoming. My only regret was that I couldn’t stay a day longer in the Bay so I could go back!!!
In terms of knowledge and being in the game, Knickerbockers is up there for sure. Their cool laid back dudes with a great place to chill.
Next time I’m in up North I’ll be back, that’s for sure…

I used to be a clove cigarette smoker and they carried Djarum Lights which were my favorite. Now that I’ve quit smoking cigarettes, I’ve turned to smoking cigars. The staff is very helpful in suggesting cigars for me to try and I never feel intimidated. The gal with the short blond hair made me feel very welcomed and told me she would have other cigars to suggest every time I came in to help broaden my pallette. That’s customer service!

The cigar lounge is unlike any other place you will ever go. The staff is friendly and they always have good recommendations. Great place to sit down with a friend and enjoy a cigar.

Oh how I love you Knickerbockers.
I’ve been in countless smokeshops all over the bay and have never had as good of an experience as I have at Knickerbockers. The prices are decent, the selection is above par. So what makes it so great you ask? The owner and staff are super friendly and knowledgeable, but the ambiance is what I really love. Take a load off on the couch, smoke a stick, and order a beer and burger from the BBC to enjoy. This place defines a great cigar lounge.

Great atmosphere, great prices, friendly staff. This is a nice place to kick back and enjoy a cigar while spending time with friends or watching a baseball game. A+

This place is a total delight. Old-​timey, darkly lighted, full of tobacco and cigar smells and cases and boxes and bins, with leather chairs so old men (or whatever) can sit around enjoying their smokes in silence. I don’t smoke but I want to go hang out there just to be *totally* away from the modern world!

I hang at this place all the time. Great staff, great prices, great company. In other words, great.

I heart this place. I’ll be honest I spend most my evenings here smoking, playing dominoes and drink lots of champagne (sparkling wine). ;)

I hang out at Knickerbockers on a regular basis. I love the staff, the customers, the cigars… basically I love it all. It is a great place to chill out with friends, or even to sit and work on your laptop (free WiFi).
Food and drinks can be delivered to Knickerbockers from Café B or the BBC.

Located next to Café Boronne and British Bankers Club (BBC) in Menlo Park, the owners of West Coast Cigars bought and reopened Knickerbockers Cigars. The shop is gorgeous. Filled with strange Euro hunting memorabilia, Knickerbockers is decorated with fancy Tiffany style lamps, stained glass and a magnificent carved wooden bar. Despite it’s fancy-​schmancy appearance, the atmosphere is relaxed. The staff were helpful and courteous. Best of all, being that it’s attached to the BBC, waitresses routinely comes in to take and deliver orders from BBC’s menu and bar. Now that’s service! Not much better than drinking a pint, smoking a stoge, and eating boneless chicken strips all at the same time.
They carry a fine selection that will suit most palates.
Definitely drop in there for a hour and grab a smoke and maybe a taste.

Smoking is Bad. It makes cancer, birth defects, liberals and ugly girls.
Oh well.
This place is a classy class act. Styled after a 19^th century London storefront, it blends nicely with the BBC next door and the guy who runs it is nice as hell. He knows his selection, and he knows the finer things in life, and will gladly share them with you. In the most wonderful of ways. Sure online shops will be cheaper, but this is where you go when you care about QUALITY.