Rekindling an old Friendship over Cigars

Between the economy and my third kid on the way, it's getting harder and harder to justify a night out at the bar. But when an old friend calls you up out of the blue and wants to get together for drinks on a weeknight, what else is there to do?

My buddy is in a similar position as I am: Married working man with a couple kids and a mortgage. Neither of us is in a position to be throwing money around on drinks. Moreover, it's been tough to get together, given our schedules and the hours that separate us.

With a humidor stocked full of cigars and a beer-laden fridge, staying in was all-too-easy a decision.

First of all, the economics are staggering. For the tap price of a domestic pint, I can enjoy a couple microbrews. Instead of an average craft beer, I can dip into some esoteric Belgian beers, or a few fingers of single malt scotch or barrel-aged rum.

Add to that my man cave's utter lack of macho assholes and drink-grubbing girls bedecked in hot pants and tube tops, and you've got a rough idea of why I mostly pass on the bar these days. What's more, cigars are encouraged, not banned, in my man cave.

But the real kicker is the atmosphere. I don't know about you, but whether I'm catching up with old friends or goofing off with new ones, I enjoy not having to ask them to repeat themselves ad nauseum.

So you can keep your aggro patronage, your overpriced drinks, and your cigarette deck. I think I'll stick with great company, music I enjoy, a selection of beers and liquors tailored to my liking, and all the cigars I feel like smoking.