by N S.

You wouldn't guess by its unassuming interior, but downtown Towson holds a secret just a couple doors down from the Recher Theater: a casual hookah lounge. I've given this place 5 stars because while it doesn't offer the usual accoutrements of other hookah lounges, it does good hookah and it does it right.ICE's modern interior is sparse in traditional trappings: white curtains hang from the walls, and the only furniture pieces present are black couches, tables ottomans. Yet the clean, open look of ICE is a welcome diversion from the usual tapestries and other items of Middle Eastern culture. Dim lighting from black lights overhead furthers the concept that this is a place for the college crowd to relax.I was disappointed at first by what the menu lacked: no food save a few snack items such as candy, and only cold beverages (soda, Red Bull, juice) were available for drink. (Yes, I know - no Turkish coffee!)But you come to a hookah lounge for hookah, and ICE delivers. All of the hookahs come with ice, which I appreciated because usually this is only available by special request. We got one of ICE's "Interfusions" that mixed vanilla flavoring with blueberry/raspberry mix. While the vanilla was a bit distracting to the taste of the tobacco, the juice added an excellent flavor to the smoke. The pipes were clean and well-maintained, and the overall smoking experience was one of the best I've had. An attentive waitress also came by from time to time to blow on our coal to make sure the hookah was still properly lit.The price was one of the best parts: for two bottles of water, a pack of Starbursts, and our berry hookah, we only paid $19. Not bad considering the top-notch quality of the hookah, the fun ambiance, and the lack of a minimum price to pay, something I can't stand at most hookah joints. There's a minimum 18% gratuity for large groups, but I gladly tipped more than that considering the attentiveness of the wait staff. The place was a bit small, so I do wonder if it can handle a weekend crowd effectively, but the service was great when we went on a Thursday night.I feel as if ICE is truly those little gems of Towson, and I'm glad to share it as an alternative to the overpriced hookah joints of Baltimore and DC. It may not be the full hookah experience you're expecting, but as I said, what it does do, it does well.

by S S.

I hv been here a couple of times. Once when it opened (abt 1.5-2 yrs ago) and once last month.The interiors are relli minimalistic to say the least. cheap IKEA couches and white curtains with neon lights...but hey, its catered to the college crowd, who probably wouldnt care much abt the interiors as long as what it serves is good and reasonably priced.and GOOD it is...no wait, AWESOME!!!The hookah which comes with the ice goes smoothly...I dont think I hv ever had a better hookah any place else. They hv a good variety of flavors as well...and wednesday nites are supposed to be 10 bucks all u can smoke hookah.It is relatively small, so finding a table during weekends mite be difficult. But, we went on a sat nite, and the host took my fone no. and gave me a call as soon as one was available. Till that time, I was drinking beer at the bar next door. (Kent I think)I wonder, why I don't visit this place more often.