SMOKELORE SCORE
4.4
DATE OF VISIT
REVIEWED BY
VISIT TYPE
PRICE TIER
ADDRESS
Website
Smokelore Scorecard
Poor 0-1 • Average 1-3 • Good 3-4 • Exceptional 4-5
THE HUMIDOR
THE EXPERIENCE
THE PEOPLE
THE PRACTICAL
THE PERKS
OVERALL WEIGHTED SCORE
4.4 /5
OVERALL RATING
Overview
PCB Cigars operates two locations across Panama City Beach, but it’s the east end lounge, PCB Cigars 2 on Front Beach Road that delivers the full experience. The humidor is substantial, ranging from high-end classics to boutique finds, and the staff knowledge level is genuinely exceptional. The space is clean and open with solid ventilation, a very well-stocked bar, and membership options for regulars. The layout has some room to improve and the hours cap out earlier than serious evening smokers might want, but the overall package is hard to argue with, especially when the owner is the kind of guy who digs through inventory to track down a box of rare Fuentes for a customer he just met.
One of the stronger selections you’ll find in a beach town. The humidor is large and well-curated, mixing familiar premium brands with boutique options and new releases you won’t find everywhere. If you’re a cigar explorer, this is your kind of shop. If you’re hunting something specific and obscure, ask, because the staff may surprise you. The West End location carries a massive selection, though with limited smoking accommodations.
The lounge side of PCB Cigars 2 is a single open room with high ceilings, center seating, bar seating, and a front terrace for those who prefer open air. The space feels clean and well-kept, and the high ceilings help the room breathe. The one layout note worth flagging: the center seating area is wide open with little natural division, which makes it hard to settle into your own space without sitting elbow-to-elbow with strangers. A modest rearrangement would go a long way. Ventilation appeared solid during the visit, though the lounge was lightly occupied at the time, so high-capacity performance is an open question.
Peter, the owner, is a real differentiator here. Knowledgeable, generous, and genuinely invested in the customer experience, the kind of cigar shop owner you hope to find and rarely do. The story that defines the visit: after learning about a two-year search for a limited-run Arturo Fuente Añejo 888, Peter dug through inventory and produced an entire unopened box of the special edition. That’s not just good service, that’s the culture of the place. Staff carry the same warmth and expertise throughout.
PCB Cigars 2 is easy to access from the east end of the beach, close to the Thomas Drive area, and convenient for visitors staying in Panama City proper. The two locations sit on opposite ends of the beach, so which one makes sense depends entirely on where you’re staying. Hours are generous, open daily at 11am, but the 10pm close on later nights means this isn’t a late-evening option if you’re prone to long sessions.
Membership options are available. The bar program is noteworthy for a cigar lounge. An old fashioned and a scratch margarita are the signature calls, and the overall spirits selection is impressive. If you visit and don’t grab a drink, you’re leaving something on the table.
Standout Moments
The Añejo 888 moment is the story of this lounge. Two years of searching, one offhand mention to the right person, and an unopened box appears from behind the shelves, at a discount, no less. That doesn’t happen at a chain. It happens at a place run by someone who loves what they do.
Who would love this lounge
Cigar enthusiasts visiting the Panama City Beach area who want a real lounge experience rather than a beachside novelty shop. Anyone who values a knowledgeable, relationship-oriented staff over a transactional retail experience.
FINAL VERDICT
PCB Cigars 2 punches well above what you’d expect from a beach town cigar shop. Serious humidor, exceptional ownership, and a lounge environment that’s worth seeking out. The layout could use some attention and the hours might cut your evening short, but neither is reason enough to skip it.
