I mean this place is usually very solid tbh. I come here for all my fronto and they have great prices but I'm here rn at 9:15 am on a Monday and they still are not here yet. Some other man was waiting also but he just left because of how long he's been here. Yes they do have a large selection and the service was very nice but you gotta open on time read more

I'm not much of a smoker although I do occasionally enjoy a cigar which is what I stopped into the shop for. This time around I was in the mood for a black cherry clove and they had them in stock, nice! I was lucky in that respect so I figured I keep on pressing on that luck and also picked up a powerball tix. At last word, no one has won yet. I don't need more cigars but perhaps one more ticket. read more

Red Lion Smoke Shop - Vape Shops Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Very disappointed. I was seeking fantasia hookah pens, and on the official website they said it could be found here. Once I came in and was in a rush, just wanted to go in and find them, grab them and leave within 5 minutes. But you're not allowed to go in the back without an ID. I didn't leave the house with my ID because I was not driving, and he wouldn't let me in the room. Okay I get it, I'm 23 but I do not look under 18, you've got to be kidding me. The guy was rude. Second time I went in, had my ID, and the back room guy was very unhelpful. It was filled with cigars, and not much else. Definitely not the hookah pens I was looking for. They only had small 50 gram boxes of very few flavors of shisha. I bought two because I would have paid the same price online, but had to wait for shipping. But I will never come back. Overrated shop, dirty interior filled with junk, and disrespectful staff. read more

My original review of this store was 4 stars since I've been in here numerous times and consider my self a regular customer, however, due to an incident that took place in their store this weekend, not only am I taking away 3 of the 4 stars and omitting the favorable review that used to be here, but will never ever again spend another single worthless penny in this store ever again due to a single employee's extremely nasty behavior and vulgar mouth, and the way he treated me in the store in front of other people, discriminating against me and making me feel extremely distressed.... and to think I spend hundreds of dollars a month here.. the nerve of that jerk to do what he did to me. I wanted to buy a bag of pipe tobacco, which is stored in the back room with the cigars and knowing that children are not allowed into that room, I approached the cashier and asked him to get me the bag of pipe tobacco because I had my child with me. Instead of getting it for me, he instructed me to go into the room and take a right to go get it my self. As soon as I got to the door, he screamed in a very loud voice, so loud that the entire store heard him, 'SIR.. you can't go in there". He put particular obnoxious emphasis on the word 'SIR" which is in my opinion to be intentionally abusive and demeaning to me since I am a transgender woman and clearly by no means "SIR", but miss or ma'am. I then stated to him that he had just told me to go in there, yet he argued that I can not go in with my five year old daughter, AS IF SHE'S REALLY GONNA BE BUYING FUCKING TOBACCO DUMBASS, so, I replied that this is why I asked him to get it for me. He then said to "get the fuck out of the store and don't come back... we don't want YOUR KIND here." I asked him what he meant by that and he said "Tranny shemale or whatever the fuck it is you are". I emailed the owner of the store demanding that the employee be terminated immediately, however, there has not been any action, nor apology nor response, therefore it is under assumption that the views expressed by the cashier may be shared by the owner whom seems to approve of and condone this kind of discriminatory and unprofessional rude behavior. I hate buying my smokes here anyway because they're the most expensive place to buy cigarettes in the entire north shore. While any and every other place within 100 miles sells my brand for $6.50, Red Lion charges $8.25 I shopped here no less than 4 times a week to buy fairy figurines and art prints, magazines, soda, cigarettes, pipe tobacco, t shirts and other stuff, but will never buy from them ever again until they address the issues mentioned. I'll be filing a formal complaint of discrimination with the state and the city licensing board. read more

What the hell is going on here? What is this place!? Is it a smoke shop? Is it a magazine stand? Is it a convenience store? A comic book store? A shop that specializes in crystal balls? Between the coolers full of fruit punch, the model kits dating back to the late 70s and the walls of trading cards and Dungeons and Dragons books, I have no idea how to even categorize this place. And did I mention all the porn? There's loads of that, too. This is sort of the Whitman's Sampler of Salem shops. A few postcards, a few witch related goods, some Zippos, some frozen novelty ice cream bars, a few copies of Jugs and Butt. I guess in a lot of ways, this could be your one stop shopping destination. read more

I'm a fan of their huge selection of cigars. I only gave it 4 stars because the humidor sometimes stinks and the tables/ashtrays in the smoking room are usually dirty as hell. However, it still serves its purpose just fine when all you want is to either run in and grab something, or sit down and have a really nice smoke. They don't bother you there. You could probably sit in there naked and no one would even notice (don't!). People do come in and out to buy things like other tobacco products from pipe tobacco to rolling tobacco and all kinds of tobacco related gifts. It's a really cool, quiet area to look around, or sit down and smoke and read. I'm pretty sure they can satisfy most tastes. They've got a very, very long wall humidor full of 1000s of cigars of all shapes, and sizes. There are 2 other shorter wall humidors with even more. If you can't find your favorite smoke there, then you probably won't find it anywhere. The rest of the store outside the smoke room looks cool but I hardly ever go through it. They've got stuff like magazines, comics, t-shirts, and a bunch of other stuff including soda, candy, gum, mints, etc. The staff is polite and helpful and it's ensconced in the heart of Salem within 100 steps of Essex St plus a cluster of restaurants from Thai to Hot Dogs, to American fare to Earthy Crunchy Organic to Many Beers and Pizza and Soup and, you name it! It's a great location so after getting your cigars, or whatever, you can have a great time checking out downtown. By the way, the prices are so-so... I can find cigars cheaper but I already said I come here for the smoking room, a nice little getaway to just sit, relax, smoke and read a book I grabbed from the other room. Enjoy! read more

If you are into pipes, cigars and other lung shredding amusements, this place just might be for you! They have an ample selction of tobacco and pipes, also more magazines than you can imagine, covering topics such as music, news, fasion, travel, archeology, sailing, war, etc, etc, etc... They even have a porn room, with all manner of porn dvds and magazines-many of which cover a variety of fetishes- from fisting old ladies to hairy chicks. There are car and ship models, t shirts, insense, and bins of comic books- Due to the smokey atmosphere, the comics are stained and fairly useless- get your comics around the corner at Harrisons- But as for pipes, scratch tickets, or for procuring that great breakfast combo of a Moxie and a Skybar, Red Lion hits the spot.. read more

A filthy dump in the smoke room in back. And the staff belongs in school to,learn how to treat customers. The owner mike is like the staff and the clientele are mostly derelicts from the nearby homeless shelter. Enough said. They do carry a variety of smoke products-cigars,water pipes, pipes and tobacco including loose for custom rolling, magazines for all genres, and incense, etc. Considering they're located in downtown Salem, perhaps the above description should be considered complimentary. read more

I LOVE Red Lion Smoke Shop, and I don't even smoke! This store totally reminds me of old school Salem, back when it was a little more gritty and a little less gentrified. Red Lion has a really diverse selection of merchandise, including the BEST selection of magazines that you'll find in Salem. I also really like their collection of board games. And they sell models and comics, too. read more

Usually good, but this place has a major problem lately : the cigars are all dried out (at least the major cabinet, the big one opposite the door.) These cigars are unsmokable. Pick one up, roll it gently, it crackles like a bag of sticks. the cigar bands are falling off because dried-out cigars shrink. Customers : you're in for a harsh smoke if u buy from here. Red Lion : please, come on. Thousands of dollars in inventory and u can't manage the humidity? Seriously. Put a dozen cheap hydrometers in there, keep the RH at 74 for two weeks. I'll be back in a month to see if they improve. Till then, Vinnin Square liquors has a much smaller collection but it's properly maintained. read more

Is Red Lion's phone number listed wrong, in Yelp? I click on the phone number link. It dials, but then keeps going to a fax machine instead of a person. The rating is just random so far, because Yelp wouldn't let me post without rating & I have yet to go to the store. I can't call them to see if they have what I want. And their website is also down... Actually, I guess these are rating-worthy problems. Hopefully, once I figure out the phone number thing & actually go to the store, I'll give a much better rating. read more

Certainly a good place to purchase magazines- but their comicbooks section is unorganized, and paltry, when compared to the nearby Harrison's Collectibles around the corner. For those who crave lung cancer, there is an ample variety of pipe tobbacco, cigars, and other smoking bricabrac. The stink of tobbaco has sadly stained and fouled many of the comicbooks. Overall, this is a good place to get magazines and the odd scratch ticket- If you smoke, I'm sure you'd find this place very handy... read more

Very rude customer service.... asked simple questions and they gave me immense attitude for no apparent reason. It never ceases to amaze me how business owners can be so rude and expect to grow their business. read more

As far as buying comics go-this place is the pits. It REEKS of cigerette smoke, doesn't look like it has ever been cleaned, and they don't take any care of their backissues. I asked for help and was given the "over there" look. When I couldn't find it -I got a chuckle and some stupid response. Seriously- their "comics" are folding over because of the racks they have in them. So much for being collector items. Their back issues are covered in dust, smoke and god knows what. I did find some way out of print graphic novels-too bad they were read at least a hundred times or so. I think they care more about smokes and lottery. I live in Salem and I won't go there anymore. They wouldn't care my debit card because I wanted to buy a coke and a maazine. $10.00 LIMIT. read more

I go here frequently, not to get cigars, but to get my comic books! If you are into comics I would definitely suggest shopping here. If you subscribe to a couple comics a week they give you a great discount and their 50cent-$1 bin becomes a 25 cent bin. I haven't encountered every employee, but the few I have are great and very helpful! read more

This place is rough around the edges, but really, does anyone really want everything to be sterile and boring. Places like this are almost completely extinct: weird specialty shops that also have alot of random stuff around. Sure, the comic shop up the street is huge and tidy. Its also expensive and lacks real character. This place rules. read more

Growing up, my brother and I would stop here for all our D&D paraphenelia, but what we liked most was the smell that lingered on the books. As a grown man I like to pop in for pipe tobacco and the occasional cigar. Great humidor, moderate pricing on smokes. They have the best variety for magazines I've ever seen, but if gaming and other geekdom is your thing, Harrisons down the street is a bit better. read more

Staff is extremely rude. My husband and I have been in and out for years and they have always been rude. A lot of business to be lost by us. We are finally tired of it. Good riddance! It's no wonder why they had to sell half the shop. It probably could have been avoided if they could keep their customers. Pretty soon they won't have any customers left and bye bye business all together. Owner needs to smarten up before he loses it all. It doesn't even deserve one star. read more

I've been meaning to visit this place for some time now, strictly out of curiosity of course. The place looks like an ultra-sketchy snake pit from the outside, and inside is even worse. When I come to Salem I expect to see a little more "grit" than I'd like, but this place is completely over the top. Red Lion is the kind of low-rent convenience store where you wonder if the clerk is going flip the script and pull a hold-up on you! But hey, if you're desperately in need of cheap cigars, scratch tickets, porno, comic books, outdated (!) magazines, role-playing games or miscellaneous dust-covered CRAP, look no further. For me, one visit was enough... read more

Yep..Not much to see here. I didn't think this was much of a Vape shop not a very good selection of Vape stuff. Lots of cigars. Red Loin is like a Hodge Podge of stuff. No rhyme of reason. Kinda like a Yard Sale. read more

Okay - it is dirty. But, I went here to get a certain type of cigar for a family member who is in Afghanistan and I was helped right away and the person even pointed out to me that I shouldn't buy the cigar in the glass container if I was mailing it :-) There are so many magazines and books and insence and just things. It may do better if it were cleaner but what the heck - I go there now to buy cigars to send and my husband goes there too for his cigars. read more

If you are looking to do business with a business that clearly communicates it wants your business, is pleasant to visit and explore, has outgoing and helpful staff and prides itself as a diverse and serious tobacco purveyor, you might want to pass on the Red Lion Smoke Shop in Salem. read more

First of all I want to mention that, as far as this rating system goes, I think even a single star is far too much for this squalid, un-kept joke of a business. Although a smoker myself, I was to be repulsed by the disgusting smell of stale smoke every time I opened the door. Beyond that, the customer service (or lack there of) that I continued to receive was pitiful. I don't think I've ever been greeted upon entry. I'm actually rarely even noticed until I get to the clerk, and then still ignored until their text conversation is complete. I usually give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and very seldom ever write business reviews, and have definitely never done a negative one, but today I was treated with such contempt, by the owner of all people. Last Wednesday I stopped in for a few things: 1 pack of camel light cigarettes - $8.50, 1 men's rain poncho, and 1 women's - $3.49 each, and one Betty Crocker M&M cookie candy bar - $1.34. Thursday, when I looked at my bank transactions I realized that my debit card had been charged $76.82. No big deal I thought. The clerk accidentally entered 76.82 instead of 16.82. So I called to try and resolve the issue but was told that I'd have to call back when the owner was in. Great, I thought. I'll be dealing only with a professional who would understand and help with this slight accident. This, however, was NOT the case. When I went in this afternoon to discuss my issue with Mike (the owner) I was only met with disbelief and an explanation of how nearly impossible it would be for him to find the credit card slip from 5 days ago. It was not until I mentioned that I know he has to keep them filed that he rushed to the back and grabbed it immediately. When Mike returned, to my dismay, he said he was only willing to credit part of this mishap to my account, claiming that it was my fault and that I shouldn't have signed the credit card slip to begin with. Now I can understand that I did make a mistake not double checking the card receipt, but one must agree that at quick glance a 1 can absolutely look like a 7. Beyond that, I had no reason to believe that I would be overcharged by $60.00. In my defense, my mistake was no bigger than the clerk's, who accidentally rang me up incorrectly. My biggest issue with the whole interaction is that Mike was unwilling to hear me out. I tried to have him ring me up again for the exact items that I purchased. He would do no such thing, claiming that I was probably just making it up. He wouldn't even take into consideration that there was only a single digit discrepancy between what I was charged and should have been. It's unfortunate to me how poorly this situation was dealt with, as if he knew he was gaining an extra buck at someone else's accidental expense, and he didn't care how he got it. The man is scummy, stubborn, and a horrible misrepresentation of a Salem business owner. Please don't waste your time. Or money... read more

This place is disgustingly filthy. Have they every cleaned it? It's hard to breathe in there because of all the smoke. There is no ventilation. The manager is an arrogant jerk! "The customer is always right" mentality doesn't exist in that place......even when the customer "IS" actually right and provides the receipt! I personally, will never go in there again! read more

Well, though I can understand what everyone Is saying about the staff. Apparently the owner hires people like himself. I have No problem with anything there. It seems everyone there is lacking personality which mistakenly can transfer to rudeness... I am allergic to any smoke and need a inhaler or just hold my breath for a few. The owner though stoic is really nice. I like him. I miss the big store Full of Stuff:) read more

I stopped in here on a trip to Salem. It has a back room that is separate for you to look in the humidors and sit and enjoy a cigar. I will never go here again, nor will I recommend this place to anyone: This was my first time in the place and after showing my ID (I definitely look over 35yo) to get buzzed into the room where the cigars are there was no one there to help me find what I needed. The smoke eater seemed to not be working very well, there was one guy smoking a cigar and there was a haze in the 50x20ish room. The cabinets of the humidor were cloudy with the build up of smoke, as if they had never been cleaned. The ash trays were also dirty with old ashes and nubs. They have a pretty good selection of cigars and a quick pinch test on a few reveled they were a little on the dry side. I didn't really go through a lot of the cigars in the many cabinets to check them because I was very disturbed at what seemed to be going on.... There is a door to a room that says employees only, on the other side of this door I could here a man and a woman arguing very loudly and swearing at each other like a couple of sailors. There was what sounded like boxes or merchandise being thrown around. This was happening as me and 2 other people were in this room. I left and told the guy behind the counter out in the main store and he seamed totally unfazed. He shrugged this off and said "it's probably the owner arguing with his wife" and "there is probably only one person back there" (I guess meaning this was being done over the phone). After I assured him there were 2 people back there and things sounded like they were being thrown he still seemed unbothered and sighed (indicating to me this is a common theme in this place), and said 'ok, thanks" and looked like he wanted to go and tell them that customers could hear them. I left and never looked back. If that is the way they conduct themselves while running a business, well frankly, I am disgusted. read more

I have NEVER been more disrespected than at the Cigar Shop. My wife and I were vacationing Salem and I stopped here for a smoke. The back was dirty, the cigar a bit stale, and the owner was so rude. I was appalled and highly recommend you driving elsewhere prior stopping into this awful place. read more

The overall nostalgia of the place is pretty good, love the comics and such but I am extremely disappointed with the purchase of cigars I made a few days ago, I spent a mere 31.00 for three cigars that I like and put them in my humidor for about 4 days, I took one out this morning to cut and burn and when I cut it, the cigar was as dry as the Sahara desert. Now I took them out of a "humidified" case, you know, fans blowin etc. these should not be this dry. Such a waste of money. Oh well....live and learn. read more

A reader's paradise. Go for all the popular magazines you enjoy and the obscure ones like "American Cinematographer" that you buy for pleasure. I even find myself browsing for old "Wonder Woman" comics. You WILL smell smoke, but that's a smoke shop for you. read more

While I am not a smoker or a cigar connoisseur, I've become infatuated with the musty atmosphere of this store, and will sometimes be found, poking through the endless boxes of comic books, towards the back. I've found that I enjoy sifting through the back issues at this store over Harrison's Comics (only a walk around the corner) more extensive (and pocket-sinking collection.) The concept of a store that appeals primarily to cigar enthusiasts and sexual deviants, while also catering to the nerd herd is a bizarre one indeed, but it also bridges many gaps in becoming simply another niche cigar joint that exudes sleaziness. This place may polarize passers by, and it certainly isn't a place where one might invite their right-wing, evangelical father to pal around with. Nonetheless, beneath the grime and leisure-suited, used car salesman mood of the store, this a great outlet to silently geek out with Star Trek memorabilia and dig through the heaps of pulpy Marvel or DC comics that seem to have accumulated an unnecessary amount of dust--if you are patient, you may strike a real catch over the expensive rates on comics at other stores. I have given the Red Lion Smoke Shop four stars, only due to the fact that the staff aren't the most friendly bunch, and they have, visibly maltreated a few customers who've never asked for the hassle. Either way, if you feel ripe for a pit stop at a truly unique hobby shop that's weathered through Salem's consumer culture revolution, and if you're comfortable with the sometimes shifty attitude that radiates from the store, then mark this down as a must-visit avenue for cigar-smoking and geek goodies alike. read more

The shop is not dirty, the floors are yellow colored and it smells of incense and smoke, like a smoke shop should. The help does not bother you and is helpful when needed. All manner of weird and hard to find magazines are here, plus they have a great cigar selection. Comics, models, fantasy figs, war gammer stuff, snacks, and knick-nacks. I love this place. read more

Wow, the owner of Red Lyon Smoke Shop is rude, rude, rude. I recently purchasing an MBTA Charlie Card that turned out to be inactive. It had a non-functioning serial number. When I returned to the store the owner was called out to assist me. What Mike did was to berate me in front of his employees and other customers and refuse to exchange the card with the bad number. So I have a card that can not be used on-line. Mike could not have been less helpful or friendly. He clearly has no sense of who the customer is. I can go on and on about this bad experience but I won't. I just want to be sure that others don't have to endure the same experience that I did. The owner is rude, rude, rude. read more

in need of some TLC especially the back cigar room...i'd be willing to buy it and turn it into a gentlemens area....cigar selection average...missing some trendy cigars. read more

This place was a real disappointment. I always buy a few cigars whenever I go on vacation, and this looked to be the best place in Salem for a good cigar. The place is a dump. I will give them one star for the selection of cigars, but I have no idea how they have stayed in business. There are hundreds of cigars COVERED in mold! Their website states the owner is a cigar professional, but I have never seen someone screw up storing cigars so badly. The humidity must be 85 or 90 percent in those humidors! It smells musty and gross in there. I luckily found a few cigars without mold at surprisingly low prices. Somehow they managed to become an authorized Opus X dealer. That should be revoked. What a let down. read more

Having been in most cigar stores and smoke rooms, in MA and many others around the world, this is by far the worst I have experienced. I went in about 2PM, when it was not busy. First, the cigar smoking room was dirty! Ashes and butts in ash trays and on the dirty floor. No apparent cutter or lighter to be found. Second, I spent about 20 minutes looking at the cigars offered. NO ONE was present or offered to help. Most were $1+ higher per stick than where I most other stores and cigar rooms, and they did not have many best sellers in most lines. I had to go out into the main store (where there were about 5 employees standing around) to ask how I buy, cut, and light a cigar. I also noticed the Numerous security cameras -- which they obviously watch constantly. Third, I asked for a butane lighter to light my $10 cigar. The guy said, very arrogantly, they only offered normal matches. Lame! I told him that I was surprised that selling such high priced cigars, they only offer matches. He said that's the way it is! Fourth, I inadvertently missed the ashtray with my cigar wrapper. Before I even sat down, the guy came in and Very sarcastically said, "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't throw your wrapper on the floor." A MAJOR Attitude problem! So, I asked to speak to the manager, and he said the Owner was there. Obviously, he was watching me on the security camera. Another guy came in later to tell my friend to get her feet off the chair -- again, must've been watching the camera. Ever feel like you were being watched for the wrong reasons? Obviously NOT to make your customer experience a pleasant one! Fifth, and a clear indication of the attitude of the entire establishment, the owner came in to talk to me. And, that he did! Talk! I started to explain what the problem was -- all he did was talk over me -- not taking a second to listen! I started to mentioned the employees attitude and treatment, and that his prices were a little high and cited other store prices; he disagreed, and then said, "I don't believe you" (at least 3 times). Bottom line, the owner clearly has NO IDEA what customer RESPECT, let alone service means! Finally, realizing that this guy knew everything in the world and would not listen to anything, I simply said, "Well, I won't be back." He arrogantly said, "That's your decision" and I said, "You bet it is!" This was one of the worst customer experiences that I have ever had -- all over a $10 cigar. Go in if you would like to experience true arrogance and the antithesis of customer service. Then, give them some of your money so that they can persist in lousy treatment of people and customers. I did manage to tell one prospective customer that he could find better prices and certainly better service at another store. He thanked me and left without buying anything. read more