Zodiak Hookah Lounge

by elegantly.waisted H.

the place is dirty seriously the few times I have gone I noticed an old empty water bottle under the display counter ewww! I don't think the place is very sanitary so take your chances.

by Miss Vanessa T.

I like zodiak but when it gets crowded (and it can get reallyyy crowded) the people who work there don't give out the coal promptly enough. The decor is pretty cool but its pretty dirty and worn out now that so many people have been there...theres also some burnt holes on the couch seating along the walls. It can be kind of pricey but the people are nice....except I don't like one of the girls there that flirted with my boyfriend right in front of me! wtf...i should take another star off for that haha...but I wont. The tobacco is good, the hummus is good and I like going there so overall I recommend it...its way better than fumari or habibi's right across the street. Also, they don't serve alcohol, it was a real bummer for my bf.

by Mimi N.

Kinda pricey but I had so much fun here! The chai tea with evaporated milk is delicious. The hookah we had was pretty good. They recommended the "Sexy" blend... which I did not like but our other hookah was good.They have cards and games and lots of tv, which is great.Best part of the night was when the belly dancer came out though. She was amazing!!! She took two of our friends up to dance and I got it all on video. Loved it.

by Mylene E.Brenda J.Alex F.June A.Thanh H.

Never a disappointment whenever I come here. My friends and I usually come in during happy hour where hookah's half-off; otherwise, it's quite pricey. Win!Hard to believe that I still haven't been able to come out whenever there are belly dancers. It's all good though. Good company with great quality shisha: gotta love it. The staff's pretty chill as well.This is also a very nice place to chill at. Free wi-fi for those who need to go online, and a delicious array of food and drinks! I'm a big fan of the chai haleeb. I always have to get it, haha.It's getting a 3 because I couldn't decide on a 5 or a 1.After all, it wasn't Zodiacs fault a hot coal landed on my leg and scarred me forever, it was my dates.  It is, however, Zodiacs fault for being so awesome in it's atmosphere that it constantly taunts me and scares me to think of going back.I recommend, just don't sit on anything that looks like a stool, because it's really a pillow and the shit WILL hit the fan.I've been smoking hookah for almost a decade now and Zodiak is among the best. They have a wide variety of flavors and a typical smoke can last for an hour if it's just you on the pipe; with friends, of course, it goes more quickly. The prices are a bit steep ($16 for a pipe on average) but the quality of the smoke is good. I only wish they'd go back to the natural coals; the self-lighting compressed discs are horrible. I don't cough when I smoke but if you put a freshly-lit disc on, you taste it and it's horrible. That quickly goes away but the low-quality coals really do change the flavor and experience of smoking a hookah. It doesn't ruin the experience, though.The place is big enough for upwards of 100 people and on Friday and Saturday nights, it gets packed. The interior is a little bit worn-down, but that's a testament to the turnover they get. They play a lot of Arab dance and folk music too which adds to the ambience. On weekdays it's more mellow, and they sometimes put on the TVs or play Frank Sinatra (to the person who complained about that: really? He's the freakin' Chairman of the Board!); you can always play backgammon or cards, or browse the net on the free Wifi. The food is quite good too as are the drinks, but the focus here is the hookah.I don't go here that often any more but the occasional pipe after work is nice; I don't even consider going to other hookah bars now because they're not really as good as Zodiak is. My only real gripe is the fact that they're using those terrible self-lighting coals; if they went back to natural hardwood charcoal, they'd definitely get five stars.Was here on New Year's Day around 4pm.. my husband and I were the only people in there!  Assumed everyone was still recovering from the night before ; )Found this place through yelp before our trip to San Diego all the reviews are pretty much right on.  Long lasting hookah, tons of different flavors, great service, flat screen TV's, love the decor, cool ambiance.  Minus one star because it WAS expensive.  But still, 3 hours well spent!Zodiak is one of the chill spots that's a constant on my lists.  The staff is nice and friendly, and the hookahs last a long time using the best quality tobacco (Starbuzz, ftw.)  The atmosphere just draws you in, and every time I've gone so far, I've enjoyed it there.  Definitely though, beware the seating.  What I thought was a stool, was actually a cushion.  Good way to get a laugh, bad way to find a place to sit.

by Miss Josephine Z.

*Exceptional Sheesha w/ wide variety*Unique Middle Eastern Decor*Exotic Music*Space can be LIMITEDZodiak has outside seating for those warm summer Wednesday nights. They also serves authentic chai w/ haleeb, coffees, and shakes. Last time I went they had baklava, don't know if it's fresh, but I'd rather make my own. Mostly college students and Middle Eastern crowds. The service is decent, their attention to reloads and coals is really on the ball. Cost can be a tad much. Parking is plentiful in the lot, or park on the street. Two tiny bathrooms, which are tidy, yet difficult to locate.

by Leslie B.

Long lasting hookah pipes, schwarma sandwiches, and sweet teas under Morroccan laterns with alternating Arabic Pop and Hip Hop until 2:00 AM on a Monday night... I am sleepy today.One more puff and one more sip...just not ready to go home, I sink back into the low cushions and put my feet up.  No one is in a rush to move on.This place is beautifully decorated with imported tarps and lanterns in bright colors. Order your traditional Arabic Chai several ways...or some strong coffee if you prefer.  They have a small menu of sanwiches or platters, mostly involving schwarma, kebobs, or hummus.  Each time I've eaten there, I have really enjoyed the food.  Often I have tea and pastries.The crowd is a mix.  The no-alcohol policy gears toward the Caldean and Norther African SDSU student population.  The no-alcohol policy is a disappointment for my friends and me, but keeps the place neat and low-key.  This is probably one of the most comfortable hookah lounges in San Diego.  The is an extensive list of hookah flavors and some beautiful pipes for sale.  I like to choose a new flavor each time.I would give 5 stars if they would clean the bathroom and keep the temperature a little warmer.This is a great spot to catch up with old friends or smooch in a corner.

by Happy C.

Good shishas, especially if you get there early before it becomes an absolute zoo.  Too many kids for my taste.What gives it five stars though, are the shakes.  They are the best thing I have ever drank without booze.  Oh god are they good!

by Brenda J.

It's getting a 3 because I couldn't decide on a 5 or a 1.After all, it wasn't Zodiacs fault a hot coal landed on my leg and scarred me forever, it was my dates.  It is, however, Zodiacs fault for being so awesome in it's atmosphere that it constantly taunts me and scares me to think of going back.I recommend, just don't sit on anything that looks like a stool, because it's really a pillow and the shit WILL hit the fan.

by Laura L.

I went there tonight for the 1st time and I loved it.  The workers there were very nice.  There are couches inside and table outside.  It was not really crowded when I was there.  It is a very mixed and diverse crowd.  If you want to drink alcohol, this is not the place for you since they don't sell it.  They have really good coffee tho.  There is a 3 person per hookah policy so if you have more than 3 people, be ready to buy more than one hookah.  The flavors were really good.  I found if very interesting that you put the coals on the hookah yourself.  The best part about it was the belly dancer.  She was so cool.  If you just want a nice relaxing hookah lounge to go to, this is the place to go.

by Mylene E.Brenda J.Alex F.

Never a disappointment whenever I come here. My friends and I usually come in during happy hour where hookah's half-off; otherwise, it's quite pricey. Win!Hard to believe that I still haven't been able to come out whenever there are belly dancers. It's all good though. Good company with great quality shisha: gotta love it. The staff's pretty chill as well.This is also a very nice place to chill at. Free wi-fi for those who need to go online, and a delicious array of food and drinks! I'm a big fan of the chai haleeb. I always have to get it, haha.It's getting a 3 because I couldn't decide on a 5 or a 1.After all, it wasn't Zodiacs fault a hot coal landed on my leg and scarred me forever, it was my dates.  It is, however, Zodiacs fault for being so awesome in it's atmosphere that it constantly taunts me and scares me to think of going back.I recommend, just don't sit on anything that looks like a stool, because it's really a pillow and the shit WILL hit the fan.I've been smoking hookah for almost a decade now and Zodiak is among the best. They have a wide variety of flavors and a typical smoke can last for an hour if it's just you on the pipe; with friends, of course, it goes more quickly. The prices are a bit steep ($16 for a pipe on average) but the quality of the smoke is good. I only wish they'd go back to the natural coals; the self-lighting compressed discs are horrible. I don't cough when I smoke but if you put a freshly-lit disc on, you taste it and it's horrible. That quickly goes away but the low-quality coals really do change the flavor and experience of smoking a hookah. It doesn't ruin the experience, though.The place is big enough for upwards of 100 people and on Friday and Saturday nights, it gets packed. The interior is a little bit worn-down, but that's a testament to the turnover they get. They play a lot of Arab dance and folk music too which adds to the ambience. On weekdays it's more mellow, and they sometimes put on the TVs or play Frank Sinatra (to the person who complained about that: really? He's the freakin' Chairman of the Board!); you can always play backgammon or cards, or browse the net on the free Wifi. The food is quite good too as are the drinks, but the focus here is the hookah.I don't go here that often any more but the occasional pipe after work is nice; I don't even consider going to other hookah bars now because they're not really as good as Zodiak is. My only real gripe is the fact that they're using those terrible self-lighting coals; if they went back to natural hardwood charcoal, they'd definitely get five stars.