While it's no cigar in unincorporated Cherokee County, the Woodstock City Council has given the go ahead for its first "wet" smoking bar.

The council voted unanimously to grant an alcohol pouring license to Maxwell Cigar Bar on Monday night, which will open this fall at 460 Chambers St. in Woodstock downtown.

The approval follows the recent decision by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners not to allow alcohol sales at cigar shops.

While it's not required to operate the business, Maxwell Cigar Bar owner Harvey Burkin of Marietta said he applied for the liquor license because "most people like a drink with their cigars."

He'll open the business "on or around" Oct. 1, and said he chose downtown Woodstock because he "liked the location" and thinks it's "an area that's going to flourish once the economy turns around."

The bar is named after Burkin's former dog, which he would bring outside with him after a long day's work for a cigar, jazz music and a glass of wine.

Woodstock only allows bars and taverns, which don't have to meet a certain percentage of food sales requirements, in the downtown central business district, general commercial and commercial mixed-use areas, which includes Woodstock downtown.

It forbids bars in all other areas, including those slated with the historic overlay zoning category.

Neither the county Board of Commissioners or the Canton City Council allow bars that aren't a part of restaurants. Restaurants that serve alcohol must make at least 60 percent of revenue from nonalcoholic sales.

The Board of Commissioners last week denied a request from Tom Grisafe for an alcohol beverage ordinance amendment to allow alcohol consumption at cigar shops.

Tom Grisafe, owner of Mr. G's Cigar & Tobacco on Towne Lake Parkway, said he wanted to convert his business into a cigar lounge that would serve alcohol.

The commissioners voted 3-1 to deny the request, with Commission Chairman Buzz Ahrens voting in favor. Commissioner Derek Good resigned before the vote was taken.

Commissioner Jim Hubbard said he "does not want bars and pubs in Cherokee County."

"It brings an activity that's not conducive to the safety and well-being of the public," he added.

The City of Holly Springs has an ordinance in place that requires restaurants or bars to have no more than 50 percent of its sales coming from alcohol, said Community Development Director Brantley Day.

Waleska "is a dry city," said City Clerk Debbie McEntyre, and the government doesn't allow the sale or consumption of alcohol in stores or restaurants.

Ball Ground City Manager Eric Wilmarth said its ordinance requires a "minimum of 50 percent of the revenue to be derived from prepared food sales or a combination of food sales and recreational activities."

If a cigar bar met the ordinance requirements, Wilmarth said, they could open up shop in Ball Ground.