I love that Shelly's is very DIVERSE and a well rounded place. My wife was a little hesitates about going with me. Now she can't stop talking about this place. SHELLY'S BACK ROOM offers two sides. The RIGHT side offer dining only, NO SMOKING. The LEFT side offer a lounge and dining area to enjoy FOOD DRINKS and CIGARS. It's REFRESHING to see other COUPLES as well as groups of WOMEN enjoying a good CIGAR and CONVERSATION. This wasn't your typical good old boys joint. I would definitely RECOMMEND this place for COUPLES, WOMEN and MEN of any RACE. The menu for FOOD, DRINKS and CIGARS are very reasonable $$. The SERVICE and STAFF were AMAZING. My wife and I are glad we chose SHELLY'S BACK ROOM for our first experience at a CIGAR JOINT. Street Parking. Garage Parking near by. read more

a great place. the staff is fantastic bartenders in the back jack & chai outstanding I don't say that often I will be going back soon my kind of place read more

A great place to go for a guy's night out. They have a very large cigar selection, and the drinks/food are reasonably price. Plus the place has a very classy vibe. read more

First time. Went for lunch. Ordered the burger with fries. Was great and timely. Price $12 and fair. I also ordered a glass of unsweetened ice tea. That was $3.25. Ouch. The cigar list was great but pricey as expected prices ranged from about $12-30. The atmosphere and decor were very nice although the fans made it a bit cool and breezy. I will be back for a light lunch and cigar next month! read more

A great place and whenever I'm in town a must visit. Great staff, good food, and excellent cigar selection.

Had an opportunity to visit Shelly's Back Room last night (11/13). We arrived at about 4:45pm. There were a fair number of people on the lounge/ bar side. The hostess seated us near the window under the A/C vents. All of the tables had a card on them saying that the table was for 3 or more. We asked to move to a table away from the window, but she said it was a Friday night and couldn't do that. It was strange to me that our table also had the 3 - 4 person sign like all the others, but she refused to allow us sit there. Besides the freezing air blowing down on us, the table was fine. We ordered our cocktails, my wife had a Newcastle Brown Ale on Draught and I had a Basil Hayden on the rocks. The drinks were both excellent. I lit up my Hoyo De Monterrey and watched as the Air Purification system in the area did its job perfectly. There is a definite cigar odor in the room (what do you expect), but there was no smoke in the air. My wife said it really smelled nice. We ordered the Spinach with Parmesan Dip with Pita Chips. This appetizer was a winner. We then ordered our dinner after relaxing for about 25 minutes. Shelly's has a huge menu and we opted for the Black & Blue Burger and the Party Melt. Both sandwiches were excellent. The burgers averaged about $12.00, but considering you are in Washington DC, I didn't think the prices were out of line. The drinks ran about $8.50 each. I did look at the Cigar Menu and those prices are extremely expensive. I highly recommend you bring your own Cigars to Shelly's. Overall, this was a treat to be able to sit inside and enjoy a drink and a cigar. Those days are behind us in the Chicago area where you can't smoke within 15 feet of anywhere serving food. If you enjoy a cigar bar and a great cigar atmosphere, then make your plans for an evening at Shelly's. This review would have been 5 Stars if we could have sat somewhere where the A/C wasn't blowing directly on me. read more

What a lovely relaxing place for a drink and a smoke. We went there after a rally on the mall and the place was mobbed. For some reason, everyone was waiting for a table. We got seated immediately at a one of the couches. We ordered some beers, (they had my favorite lambic, Lindeman's Pomme), snacks, and my husband got a Grand Hab Roth's cigar which he enjoyed immensely. My beer arrived while I was in the Ladies, and they waited until I got back to open it for me even though they were swamped. We spent some time eating, drinking and relaxing after standing for hours. We never felt rushed even though there was a line out the door. What a fabulous place. If you get to DC and want to stop for a drink and a smoke, this is the place. Super knowledgeable staff, super helpful too, can't say enough good things about this place . read more

I'm updating my review of Shelly's Back Room to 4 stars since we made a few return trips recently to see if things have changed. Indeed they have! They have "Mike" now at the bar, making the place very friendly indeed. Recently we continued a birthday celebration at Shelly's and Mike, once again, was on hand to take care of us. We were a large crowd with many different demands but Mike made it all happen with a smile on his face and good conversation to boot. Now that's what a cigar bar is all about! Mike assured me that some things had changed but we also found out through others that there's still a problem person on Fridays running the bar, so we are going to be sure to avoid the place at that time. Apparently, Tues and Friday's are Mikes' night at the bar, so we'll be sure to keep that in mind. Maybe Shelly's Management can find other Mikes out there that are willing to bring good customer service qualities. When that happens, I 'll be sure to update this review to 5 stars. If you're swinging by and want to try a good sipping rum with that maduro cigar, ask Mike for a sniffer of Plantation XO. 20yr. You won't be sorry and the price is only 9.00. Enjoy! read more

Went to Shellys after work with an associate. They were awfully busy, and the servers constantly walked passed my colleague and I serval times and never reached out to us nor asked us if we've been helped. We were standing at the hostess stand for 15 minutes with no response. I had to chase a server in order to get service. We finally sat down and no one came to our table, we were waiting for a server for almost 20 minutes. My colleague was very upset and for his first time he was very upset. We had a server who was willing to help us and it was not her section. My colleague forgot his ID but looks way over 30, and they refused him service. I completely understand we have to ID, but the service was very poor and we were not satisfied. I had a chat with the manager on duty he was unresponsive and it made excuses about being busy, it tells me he didnt not forecast correctly and didnt schedule correctly. If you know that tour gonna be busy on Fridays, should have enough staff members on duty. This is unacceptable, I love Shellys but to experience this disappointed event, Im indecisive about coming back to Shelly's. read more

My boyfriend is a huge fan of Shelly's but this weekend it was ruined by rude service. They wanted to seat us between 2 large parties. We asked to sit at another table but they had a 3 person minim at that table. We would have easily spent more than the $12 minim per person at the table but they would not allow us to stay. I don't expect to return. There are plenty to cigar shops and places to smoke them without the attitude. read more

Good food. Nice ambiance. Great drinks! Decent staff. Cigar prices a bit high. Seems like little Vietnam in this place. Check it out for yourself... There are a few Latins (picking up trash). Let me know what U think is going on. read more

Service - AKA getting a beer - stinks even when it's quiet at 6 pm on a Saturday evening. That said, a comfortable atmosphere for smoking a cigar is rare these days and Shelly's has a great, albeit overpriced, selection available. If you prefer, bring your own and save a few dollars. As an added bonus, the staff educated my guest and I about the benefits of a butane lighter for cigars - who knew? read more

What ever you do, don't order the Baileys Irish cream. The drink cost $8.00 and it literally was no bigger than a small shot of liquor. It was served in the same round glass that you would drink cognac out of and the amount of Baileys didn't even reach where the glass began to curve outward. I asked for Baileys on the rocks and the ice was served in another glass by itself. My friends said "where's the rest of your drink"? I asked the waitress if this was a shot and she said yes. I said I asked for Baileys on the rocks not a shot of Baileys. I had a nice sized maduro cigar and I like to pair it Baileys . The waitress brushed me off and said take it up with the bar. Won't be going back again. Civil cigar lounge is much better and you really get your money's worth with the drink portions read more

Late night cap gem...atmosphere is nice and intimate. ..drinks were good and friends enjoyed cigar. I do remember a pretty hefty bill though... read more

My wife and I were visiting from Chicago last weekend and we found this great cigar lounge. While my wife does not smoke she enjoyed talking to the owner's wife and staff while I smoked. Both the owner and his wife were very engaging and made you feel like you were at home. The food and drink were also very good! Great place! read more

On a short business trip, found this place. Excellent friendly service, great local brew on tap, excellent cigars and wings!!

Some of the worst service I've ever had in a restaurant. Waited 30 minutes, staff were rude and failed to deliver simple request like cream with coffee, gratuity was added in advance of check, further tip was solicited. read more

I knew the team at Shelly's Back Room was phenomenal, with great service and wonderful cigars. I didn't realize how incredible they were at protecting your belongings until I accidently left my portfolio with my coveted Surface Pro there recently, and four days later they had it safely tucked away for me. Now that is service beyond the call of duty! Thank you for all you do!! read more

If the weather is nice, find a place like Elephant & Castle which has an outdoor patio that is cigar-friendly, to smoke your cigar. But if you absolutely have to (if it is too cold out, or the weather is otherwise inclement) go to Shelley's where you can legally smoke indoors. But be prepared, the ventilation system there sucks (or would it more properly "blow"?). Because the air doesn't circulate at all (the smoke just kind of gets pushed around the room) you get bathed in smoke (and usually from bad cigars). I"ve been to better places in New York and LA, where the smoke is pulled up into the ceiling, and doesn't linger. Shelley's could certainly afford to buy a better system for getting some of the smoke out. read more

Below is text from a review I wrote on another site back in 2007 or 2008 that can now find a home on Yelp. (I was reminded of what happened at Shelleys when I just recently experienced something similar at Maggaino's near Mazza Galleria this weekend when I asked to see the Heat/Pacers game at the bar.) And, I see at least one other reviewer on Yelp has made a similar complaint to my issue below. ------------------------------ Here's what happened on my visit to Shelly's Back Room (a cigar bar in DC) tonight. I wanted to check out the NBA playoffs and when I got there I saw the hockey playoffs playing on one TV and a baseball game on another TV. I asked the bartender if they planned to turn to the playoff basketball game (the Wizards were playing). He informed me that Shelly's has a "No Basketball Rule." I asked him what that meant, and he said it was Shelly's policy not to show NBA basketball games (however, they DO show college basketball). I asked why they don't show NBA basketball but they show just about every other sport, and he said because Shelly's is not a sports bar so they don't show sports. I couldn't believe what I heard. I reminded the bartender that there was both a hockey game and a baseball game showing on Shelly's televisions (one right above his head). He said it was Shelly's policy and management hadn't told him why only NBA basketball was singled out and excluded from being shown. I asked to see the manager, Tony Rubbo. He came out and tried the same "we're not a sports bar" line as the reason they didn't show NBA basketball. I asked him to explain the reason for the policy. He then said, "Because NBA basketball fans are more lively than other fans", and that Shelly's had a certain environment and those" lively" fans don't fit in. (Those fans don't fit in. Hmmm...) Have you seen drunk hockey fans? They're some of the "liveliest" fans I've ever seen! (But you see where I'm going with this right?) Let's see - what's one of the primary differences between hockey/baseball fans, and NBA fans? So the manager goes back to his office and comes out with a pre-printed letter to "explain" the policy. (Obviously, someone else has asked about this before.) Here's how the letter read: "Dear Valued Guest: Shelly's Back Room only offers sporting events on our TVs at specific times. This evening is not one of them. (***Not true, hockey and baseball were showing that night.) Our mission is to provide a relaxing environment for our cigar aficionados. Many of our cigar smoking guests have indicated to us that constantly putting sporting events on the TVs has given us a sports bar atmosphere. (***Shelly's has 5 TVs in there, and two of them were showing sports. Read between the lines, sports was not what their customers were supposedly complaining about.) This is not who we are nor is it what we want to be. There are many other sports bars in the area that specialize in this sort of atmosphere. (***This sort of atmosphere? Interpretation - there are many other bars you folks can go to - but just not here!) The Management Shelly's Back Room" So, in a nutshell, I can only conclude that Shelly's management made a concerted effort to try and exclude certain sports fans/customers by refusing to show the type of sports these fans/customer may tend to watch. Oh, by the way, also on one of Shelly's FIVE televisions, they had the Fox cable news station on... So you make the call. A cigar bar named Shelly's Back Room is aptly named - because as history has shown us, only certain people are welcomed into those smoke filled back rooms... read more

I would give this place a better review, but some (not all-- there are lots of nice people who work here) of the waitresses here remind me, by their behavior, of bar-girls I have known in Hong Kong (I guess that gives my age away) and the Philippines-- pushy, poor English, not too competent. In addition, there is always the feeling that management is trying to squeeze every last cent from you ($12.00 per person minimum at a sticky, uncomfortable raised table, even when the place is dead?) I do not live in DC, but I visit often and always go to Shelly's at least once a week when in town. Not a regular, but they have seen my face many times. Normally, I will order lunch or a beer and then have a smoke because it doesn't quite seem fair to sit in their club with just a glass of water and a stogie from elsewhere. (If you are a serious smoker, bring your own from Draper or JR.) Last week, I just did not want a beer, or food, or anything but a good smoke. Stopped in for an iced tea and a cigar (brought my own) in the mid-afternoon. The place was empty, dead, not happening. Had my tea. Had my smoke. Then got a load of really aggressive crap from one of the waitresses about how I need to order more than a soft drink if I want to sit in their ***EMPTY**** lounge and smoke, about how it was okay this one time (oh, what a generous soul!) but blah, blah, blah. All in a rather angry tone of voice with not one word of apology or concern for the customer (me.). So, those of you who expect to be treated well are advised to bring a lot of money and spend it all, or risk being considered a piker and a stiff. REALLY nice places (e.g. Ritz-Carlton Boston) treat you nice at all times, regardless of who you are and how much money you spend. Shelly's can be okay, but it is not a really nice place and is far from the "classy" spot that it pretends to be. read more

I don't normally write reviews, but I felt compelled after having a great time here last night with some friends. Two of us showed up early and we found a seat against the wall while we waited for a table to open up. A gentleman at the adjacent table offered for me to sit in their open chair since there was only room for my friend to sit. The nice gentleman turned out to be the owner of the place and was very warm and pleasant to talk to. After he and his party left my friends and I took over their table. Overall, the atmosphere was great, the service was really good, and the blackened & bleu burger was fantastic. I was surprised at how good the food was. I'll definitely be going back! read more

I signed up to Yelp just so I could write this review. This place SUCKS. Went there as part of a bachelor party evening on a Saturday night. Place was not that full. Wanted to sit in a certain spot, was told no. Wanted to watch the Lakers/Nuggest game. Was told no. We were a group of 10 guys ready to drink, smoke and spend money. The wait staff doesn't really speak English all that well, and are probably indentured servants. They certainly had a crappy attitude. We asked to speak to the manager about putting the hoops game on, instead of watching f-in Nancy Grace on CNN Headline News that was on. The manager was a total a$$wipe. He said they don't show basketball games because they "don't want trouble." Hmmm...I wonder what the f that means. F this place. A total rip off and crappy service. If you want to smoke cigars and drink whiskey you are better off buying some at a nearby tobabcco and smoking at home. You'll pay less and you can skip the sh!t service. read more

The only reason this place gets a star is for the greeting from the woman on my way in. I'm not a yelper, so let's get that out of the way and I've NEVER wasted my time on yelp to just bash a place. This time, I felt inclined... Oh but I'm sure ownership just loves there bartenders so much that my yelp will be a feather in the wind. It was February 24 and a seriously bad storm erupted. I was drenched and found myself at Shelly's doorstep. I'm a Washingtonian and had never been here and was ecstatic that these circumstances were upon me. Walk in... Young friendly lady gives me towel to dry off, I was soaked! Offered me anywhere to sit. I said I'll take the bar. 10-12 seat bar. EMPTY. One guy on seat 12 and I say on seat 1. NO ONE ELSE IN BETWEEN. The waitress not the bartender provides menus. 2 bartenders, males, behind bar, one guest. I was matting my face and reading menus and never a once was I greeted by either of the TWO, TWO GUYS. At least 8 minutes passed and one of the 2 walks up and says, 'move your chair over cause your gonna cram up the bar'. Say what?? I get in an hour it's gonna be busy at this 12 seat bar that's holding 2 of us, but are you kidding me. How about this big guy...' Hello sir, welcome and thanks for coming! Firstly, what can we get you? Also, if you'd be so kind as to slide your chair down cause soon we'll need more room. Thank you sir'. Naw, your bartenders are to cool.. Sad thing is that it'll happen again. Never had been there and was excited.... Never will try again. I'm sure a care isn't lost though. read more

This is a medium report to be quite honest experienced 2 different experiences In a 2 day experience. Thursday night was great. Spent $180 on overpriced cigars that I already have in my own humidor for a third of the price. No problem because I believe when you go to a out of town cigar shop you buy their cigars. Go in Friday afternoon between the Big 10 basketball sessions and I went to the bar to continue my experience. The first bartender tried to throw away my collectors item Big10 collector item glass which was empty. I explained that I get free refills at the event and she left me alone. Then while I was on the phone a new bartender threw my cup again. I asked if he had thrown my cup away and he explained "it looked like trash and he didn't want it on his bar". Then after I retrieved my collectors cup and washed up off all of the cigar ash on it the bartender took my cup yet again and put it in a trash bag! Large Anglo man at the bar totally made me experience in DC a frustrated experience but one that I recommend nobody goes threw read more

This place has the absolute WORST customer service I have ever experienced in my life! We were a rather large party (more than 12) and took up more than 2 tables at first. When others from our party arrived they sat at another table since there wasn't any room at the first table. They were told by the exceptionally rude wait staff member that in order to occupy a table there is a $12 minimum requirement. This clearly was not a problem since it was safe to assume that they planned on consuming beverages and food. After a few hours, some people left. There was room at either table. The rude wait staff demanded that we consolidate and sit at one table. It would not have been such a big deal however we have paid to sit at the other table as well and have easily surpassed the minimum requirement. I will also add that there were plenty of free tables and no one was waiting for a table. The wait staff member had the nerve to pull 2 chairs from the table and slam them across the floor. I guess we were supposed to be intimidated. We were all appalled! I figured now would be as good of a time as any to get the manager involved. I asked one of the bartenders who the manager was and he was reluctantly pointed out. I addressed my concerns and also demanded that the rude waitress not return to our table. He barely apologized, supported that we should consolidate because it will get very busy and that he would talk to her. Isn't this wonderful service? I ripped the bottom of the receipt off so I would have the final balance to include in the appropriate correspondence to the "real" manager. I will never return to this classless establishment. read more

Had a wonderful dinner at the Prime Rib Steak House K Street DC. Accompanied by wife and good friend one of the managers from Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier Restaurant and his wife. After dinner we went to Shelly's Back Room for cigars and cocktails. It was about 11:15PM. We entered the restaurant and noticed several open tables. Attempted to sit in the front room at a round table with 4 seats. Waitress redirected us to a side room table and refused to allow us to sit in front room. No apparent reason not to seat us in front room. Complained to Manager - Mr Derrick Williams, with no success. Appears they rather squeeze 6 at the round table rather than my party. I guess they their expectation was that they can get a larger bill from 6 rather than a party of 4. I was treated badly and felt embarrassed with my guests. Just spent near $800.00 at Prime Rib. Idiots. No way to treat your guests. Greed as usual. Certainly failed providing a warm guest experience. Suggest you go elsewhere to favor a cigar. There are other cigar lounges in DC I have experienced that will treat you far better. Very disappointed in Shelly's Back Room. Avoid it. read more

All in all if you want a smoke and a good burger this is a good place to go. The bar food is good but the dining room servers are not too friendly or interested. My main problem is their seating policy. The place is basically full of seating natzis. I went in on a Monday with a friend around 6pm the place was empty but for one other person. They have a policy and they let you know rather rudly that if ther's only 2 in the party you must sit in a 2-topper where the table is too small for your drinks and a plate or 2 and an ash tray. I understand trying to reserve the 4-toppers for parties of 3 or 4 but really the place was dead and we were only staying for a burger and smoke. There was a sea of larger tables available when we arrived and the same when we left but no, we had to stay cramped up in a tiny table in an empty dining room full of larger ones. Very rigid and not so friendly but my burger was good and I like the wood walls and atmosphere. This place has lots of air purifiers running and the smoke is not bad but believe me when yo leave your clothes will smell like a cigar. But then again you knew that when you went in and as I said, if you want a nightcap and a smoke out of the cold this is the place. read more

Horrible staff. I stopped by with a friend and we were going to get dinner and a few drinks. It was a bout 8pm on a Wed, the place was about 1/2 to 3/4 full and the table they went to seat us in was right at the front window looking out on to the side walk. I hate to sit and eat where everyone walking by looks in as you are eating. We asked for a table away from the windows. They brought us to a table in the other room, right in front of the window. I was a bit confused as I had asked for a table away from the windows. She then said you can sit in the bar area if you want. As we were walking to the bar areea there were a few 4 to 5 seat tables open but we just went to the bar area and sat at a high top. There was a sign that said 3 or 4 guests only. There was another one of these tables open with the same sign and a few seats at the bar open but we didn't want to sit at the bar so we sat down. The "waiter" finally came over and asked "where is the rest of your party?" I said it was going to be just us but we were going to have dinner and drinks. He said "well I'm not serving you!" and went to walk away. I asked if they could make an exception because of the window seats being all they had for "2" people. He rudely said no this is the owner's policy. I asked to speak to the manager and she was even ruder. She said I'm the manager tonight the guy you just spoke to is the manager tomorrow night. I could not believe how they spoke to me and how they were going to turn away a person who was going to have dinner, some very good bourbon and a cigar or 2. I eat at restuarants 4 to 5 nights a week all over the world and I cannot recall being more upset how I was treated somewhere. The place wasn't that crowded and it was a Wed night. I will never go here again, I will tell everyone not to go there and I will find every opportunity to post about my experience. I had stopped by this place during the afternoon to check it out and had a great conversation with the bartender and a customer about some of the bourbons they had and was really looking forward to stopping by there later that evening. HORRIBLE service, rude staff, please save yourself the trouble. read more