Leavitt Peirce Tobacco

by Kiwi H.

This old-school, elegant tobacconist has been in Harvard Square for a very long time, and they're great so I don't think they'll be going anywhere for a long time either.I like the store layout - things are pretty clear and organized, and it's nice and easy to browse and walk around. You can find so many different kinds of cigars, cigarettes, cloves, and tobacco here (including shisha tobacco), as well as coals, lighter fluids, lighters, etc. They also sell argileh pipes, and although the quality of the shishas they have here are pretty good, you could probably find less pricey ones elsewhere (if you know where to look). Any kind of pipe or smoking accessory you could want is probably here.The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, and always professional. They do have a no cell phones rule though, with little banned-phone signs scattered around the store, and they don't appreciate when people disregard this rule and yap away while in there.They also have a lot of cool, antique-style novelties, and sell a lot of beautiful board games like chess boards, backgammon sets, and carrom boards. It's worth a visit, and is probably one of my favourite tobacco stores that I've been to.

by tatyana o.

While the reviewer before me says it best, I'll still make my humble praise of near-extinction type of a store.It's a piece of a bygone era, it's dark, it's old.  It carries things that only few will find useful, and that is the delight of it.  Stroll through, lift up the lids of the big loose tobacco jars and inhale pungent and sweet aromas.  In the back of the store there is a small counter with cosmetics that would look more appropriate in a quaint antique store, but they are not 100 year old as thier merchandizing suggests.  These soaps, colognes,pomades and body oils must have been packaged the same way for at least last half a century.  Call me wierd, but that was so endearing it made my day!

by Sarah S.

I say, if you're going to smoke, you might as well roll your own cigarettes and kind of bypass all that icky ammonia and those other additives that are smooshed into conventional ciggies. LP has a great selection of tobacco and other roll-your-own supplies. Staff tends to be highly knowledgeable, and I've never had to deal with a snotty employee.Plus, how fun is it to have people give you the "Whhhaaaaaatttt the hell are you doing?!" look while rolling one in a public place. I want to say, "Chill, guys- it's tobacco, nothing more." But why would I do that when the looks on their faces are so darn precious?

by STEVE C.

I would give them 5 stars, but they do make a living on killing people. And the other problem is, I really want to smoke, therefore killing myself, whenever I go into this place. This is a great place to get stuff for your Dad. I have covered the past few years of birthdays and Christmas by buying my Dad every unnecessary shaving item known to man. $60 razor, french soap, chrome stand. My Dad loves this shit! Anyways, if you want to make your Dad look hella vain, or possibly gay, this is the joint.

by Vivian W.

True confessions- I am one of the people that goes here for the cigarettes. But in my defense, I do smoke pretty rarely. Luckily, I can get specialty smokes here so when I do indulge it's a verifiable treat! The selection of fabulous things here is truly beyond compare and it's not just about tobacco. It's as if  this store was resurrected from the past. Clove gum, violet candies, candles, even luxurious shaving supplies (that would make an amazing Father's Day gift)... it's all here. For me, they've got infused cigarettes that taste like chocolate. That's just wicked, so I'm loyal and devoted. Prices are a bit on the high side, but you're not likely to be goign here to buy your marlboros- there are gas stations for that. If you're looking for something more exotic like cloves, Sweet Dreams infused, pipe tobacco or hookah supplies, then here's your final destination. You won't go anywhere else ever again.

by Andy M.Rachael N.Matt S.ben t.Tracee D.

I really expected Harvard to be a total Snobatorium. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cambridge is a a beautiful, diverse area that I really enjoyed. Leavitt Peirce Tobacco look like it was old enough to be a hangout for our founding fathers. The Dark oak interior is very impressive. They had a wonderful selection of Cigars that were encased in Glass humidors. They offered a wide variety of Cigars at different price ranges. They had $5.00 Nubs all the way to $40.00 Davidoffs. I'm not sure what the smoking laws are in in Ma. There was no smoking area to speak of, but there were couches in the back area. My only complaint is that the staff really didn't seem to be all that knowledgeable about Cigars. Half the fun of going into a Cigar store is hearing about new items that have hit the market and finding out what other people like to smoke. The Staff here really didn't to seem all that interested in Cigars. I enjoyed my visit to Leavitt Peirce Tobacco. If I lived in Boston, I'm sure that I would be in there 2 to 3 times a week.They certainly know their tobacco and their shisha.  They have a very limited selection of brands of shisha and coals but they have a good assortment of flavors.  They answered all my questions about their shisha as to which brand had more tabacco. Also with all the lovely cigars around I decided to try my first lady's cigar.  Fun place.I don't smoke cigarettes anymore, but as someone who has frequented all types of tobacco smoking (Cigar, Pipe, Hookah and cigarettes), I appreciate Leavitt Peirce for being the bastion of decent Tobacconists in the Boston area. There are few actual Tobacco shops like this in Boston and it's nice to have a classy joint like this one around.But Leavitt Peirce isn't simply a Tobacconist. It's more of a Gentleman's shop. Here you can find the Tobbaco staples previously mentioned but also classic board games, male hygenic things (cologne, shaving goods), and various other cool items. The atmosphere is awesome. It looks, feels, and smells like a Tobacconist from the earlier 1900s. The stuff they carry other than the tobacco has a decidedly old-school feel about it too. There are a few reasons this place doesn't get five stars. One is pricing. I don't hold it against them, seeing as though they're of a rare breed in the area - but some of their stuff is pretty steep in the price range. They do have some good deals, however - cheaper starter pipes are a great one, but I would've loved to see some lower level Hookahs for those not wanting to spend well over $100.The tobacco selection is good, especially if you're a pipe smoker. There seems to be a good range of Aromatic and English blends. Cigars have been somewhat hit-or-miss for me here, some very reasonably priced ones are quite enjoyable and others that I consider not as good are more expensive. The ONLY blatantly apparent shortcoming is smokeless tobacco. There is only one jar of chaw here, and it's apple flavored. As someone who has chewed too (both dip and chaw), I would love to see Leavitt Peirce carry some good chewing tobaccos, maybe even some Snus.Leavitt Peirce easily nets four stars, however. Price non-withstanding, it's a very slick place and enjoyable just to browse in. And if you enjoy tobacco of any type (minus those who enjoy smokeless), you'll probably find something to pick up. You just may have to search for a good deal, but searching Leavitt Peirce store is half the fun.I love this place.  It looks like one of those old London tobaconists, a dark wood and tile interior with all the manly stuff like canes and knives and heaps of pipes in bins.  Huge selection of pipe 'baccys and cigars.  Some headshop type stuff.  They carry cake tobacco in a variety of flavors, which most places haven't even heard of (cake tobacco is moist and lovely, for you pipe-smokers looking for a treat).  I like the basic "fragrant matured cake."LP is a little expensive -- the pipes are $40 and up -- but you can get serviceable pipe tools for a couple of bucks.  In any case, absolutely any artifact related to smoking of legal substances can be found here, and the atmosphere is so clubby and old-world it's hard to beat.  If you're going to give yourself cancer, do it in style.  Leavitt Pierce is as stylish as it gets.Yah- hideleee-hoooooooooo! what took me so long? I love bay rum. It smells like the life the insides of a J. Peterman catalogue tries to depict. Bought it for my BF, the damage? $13. Cappuccino tobacco smells like a hazy caffeinated dream. The combs, the soaps, the jewels, the pimp canes!!!!!!! and then in the back: the jewelry. The rings things made of silver in the back cabinets are so gorgeously done. Almost made this for the most part- non- jewelry wearer- don some gems.

by Anna F.

So, I don't normally smoke, but I fell in love with the sheesha and wanted one for my pad.  The hookahs at Leavitt are stunning but very pricey- $200 and up.  So, I opted to buy one on line, but decided to make LP my place to buy the smoke.  They carry this boutique brand from California that makes an excellent clove tobacco.  The assortment was pretty good and the product was fresh and sticky.  I also love all the antiquated items you can buy here from hair pomade to chewing gum.  This place is a bit of a time capsule and can provide an hours entertainment as a museum of sorts.  A great place to get that special gift for grandma or grandpa that might lead to a story or two about "the good old days."

by Colleen Y.

I go into LP a few times a week.  Although, I rarely buy anything.  I always skip right to the back and look in the self serve cigar box bin.  For $1 you can take 1 wooden one (when they're there) and 50 cents for a cardboard one.  I know, it is going to be a great night if I find a wooden one.  I don't find one very often, but that makes it even more magical when I do.  I'm not really sure why I started collecting them.  I think I always plan to make jewelry boxes but I end up just putting change or papers in them.  It could also be the feeling of finding a treasure, and paying for it on the honor code.  It's a mini adventure.  But I'd go into LP even if they didn't have the boxes.  I love the smell of the pipe tabacco, it reminds me of hugging my grandpa; the warm air that carries its scent to you as you grab the oversized pipe shaped doorknob is comforting.I go into LP a few times a week.  Although, I rarely buy anything.  I always skip right to the back and look in the self serve cigar box bin.  For $1 you can take 1 wooden one (when they're there) and 50 cents for a cardboard one.  I know, it is going to be a great night if I find a wooden one.  I don't find one very often, but that makes it even more magical when I do.  I'm not really sure why I started collecting them.  I think I always plan to make jewelry boxes but I end up just putting change or papers in them.  It could also be the feeling of finding a treasure, and paying for it on the honor code.  It's a mini adventure.  But I'd go into LP even if they didn't have the boxes.  I love the smell of the pipe tabacco, it reminds me of hugging my grandpa; the warm air that carries its scent to you as you grab the oversized pipe shaped doorknob is comforting.

by Kerri O.

Step through the portal, and you go back in time....I love the smell, the look, the ambiance of this place.  I went through a hipster phase of smoking weird imported smokes, and would come here to get them.  We'd come here when I was a squirt to pick up my Pop's pipe tobacco.  Yup, smoking is bad for you.  But, if you're going to poison yourself, do it with style, I say.  This place is Old-School Cool.

by Rachael N.

They certainly know their tobacco and their shisha.  They have a very limited selection of brands of shisha and coals but they have a good assortment of flavors.  They answered all my questions about their shisha as to which brand had more tabacco. Also with all the lovely cigars around I decided to try my first lady's cigar.  Fun place.They certainly know their tobacco and their shisha.  They have a very limited selection of brands of shisha and coals but they have a good assortment of flavors.  They answered all my questions about their shisha as to which brand had more tabacco. Also with all the lovely cigars around I decided to try my first lady's cigar.  Fun place.