Gazuza Reviews
by Becky L.
Oh Gazuza.....I live just down the street and just discovered this place. It was seriously packed and although there were seats available they were all still reserved for people who had already left so we ended up standing. The atmosphere of the place reminded me of a combo of Euro Trash and a poor attempt at a Miami club, both of which are not really my scene. The drinks are overpriced as well. Don't think I'll be returning.
by Ngoc L.
My first time here this past Saturday. I had a craving for mango mojitoes that night and wanted to go Cafe Citron but opted for Gazuza because I wanted to try hookah lol. I was happy they had mango mojitoe on their list. There's only bar but we had no problem getting drinks in less than 5 minutes. The mojito was sweeter than I like and didn't have fresh mango but before the night ended had 5 drinks. The crowd was decent. People tend to come and go.The music was a little loud for a chill lounge but I wasn't annoyed by it. I like the vibe of this place with the candle lights on the red painted walls. A nice place to come in groups or just the 2.
by Brendan F.
My friends and I ventured into Gazuza a couple months ago after a night of wandering aimlessly around Dupont. I was surprised that we were able to get a table in the corner right away on a Friday night, although i would have preferred sitting outside on the balcony. Well, I quickly found out why the corner table was unoccupied: 6 people, 2 walls and nonstop hookah smoke billlowing up from the table does not make for the most comfortable environment. Don't get me wrong, I loves me some hookah and red wine. But would it hurt if they installed some fans near the ceiling? I'm not asking for much, just oxygen. Otherwise, I really liked this place and I definitley want to go back. Make sure you get there early to get a spot outside. Oh, and if you get a table there's a minimum of $20/person. But anyone who knows me knows that bar + $20 minimum = laughter. It's not ridiculously overpriced so don't fret, Yelpers.
by Reggie G.
Gazuza totally blows. It is completely snobby without any reason to back up it's snobbery. It is kind of like Adams Morgan on a Saturday but for people with more money to spend on clothes.I know, I am judging, but it's so fun. Those guys at Gazuza need to loosen up - they even tried to kick us out for hula hooping. The happy hour isn't even that good either - $6 drinks, $4 bottles beer - what's so happy about that? Service is super slow, but the mojitos were super good.
by Cookie M.
Another brainchild of Mauricio Fraga-Rosenfeld, am I the only one who's noticed how much he looks like the singer from Right Said Fred, well at least I know what he's done with all the money from sales of "I'm too sexy". He's brought us another latin inspired lounge. Hurray, we don't have enough of them in DC. Gazuza is amazing at it manages to combine everything I truly detest in a bar. Slow, inattentive waiting staff, over priced and under strength drinks, pretentious "deep lounge funk music" that's too loud to talk to anyone across your table but too boring to dance to, a 'must be seen to be seen at all costs' crowd, a manager who really needs to learn how to deal with customers and a nasty little shit of a bouncer. Before you ask, no, I didn't get thrown out, I just observed other customers get treated badly and later when I tried to leave the bouncer refused to let me down the stairs as my footwear wasn't within the dress code. Yes, you read that right, he wouldn't let us leave in case someone coming in saw the offending pair of chuck Taylor high tops! One of our group, a regular in the bar went to talk to the little troll only to be told we would have to leave out the back way. I would have been more impressed if he didn't back down as soon as I walked towards and passed him. So he's both shit and a coward... nice hiring policy.We didn't eat that night, but before all this occurred we had looked at the menu and agreed that we would like to come back and try the food. I think you can take it as given that we won't.It gets one star as Yelp won't let you give any less.
by shieva r.
Went here with a couple friends for drinks and of course hookah! This is by far my favorite place to hookah, i can't speak for the drinks, i was trying to be good, but the hookah is the best I've had in the states!They had already started the hookah so we weren't wasting breath trying to get the hookah going which is a pet peeve of mine that every other place in the city doesn't do, so major points on that! I also thought it was great that they don't have a minimum charge like some places *ahem prince* but they did rush us out early around 1:30 even turning off the music and turning on the lights =/The place is nice it's a trendy lounge with a great patio perfect for a relaxing night out. I've been to a lot of hookah bars in the city and this one became a quick favorite I'll be here next time I decide to kill my lungs!
by Krissy O.
Went here after an incredibly long day of seminar set-up, planning and classes. We were looking to let a little loose (and by little I mean anything as long as we are home by midnight haha). A colleague had gone here when she visited DC years ago and remembered the name. So, natch I yelped it. I couldn't believe I had never been to this place in the 4 years I'd lived in DC. Plus I'd somehow managed to pass through college without hitting one hookah bar. I had some catching up to do. Bora took our reservation and was incredibly accommodating. We got here and got a corner by the door, since my co-workers didn't like the humidity in the outside part which was much nicer. Casey was our server. Very nice. Bruised up a bit, she told us she's into Thai kickboxing which is where she got all her bruises. Usually I'd say "right...." But I mean it was so creative I believed her. We got the apple and mint tobacco mixed and I embarked on my first hookah experience. Paired with a champagne mojito I took my first pull. I coughed. Took too much and the menthol burned my lungs. Took my second pull. I knew I had created a monster. I loved it! I can't wait to come back and take my DC friends to this place. What a blast. P.S. We made it back by midnight.
by megan K.
The location is really convenient because it is right in the heart of Dupont Circle and right by the metro. Also, they have a great upstairs patio that is filled with stylish couches and tables. Plus, their happy hour drink specials are pretty good. One thing to mention is that the service is a little slow. They always seem to be understaffed so you usually have to wait a long time to order and to get your check. Sometimes getting your servers attention can be a challenge. But overall, it is a great place to smoke a hookah and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
by Jarrett C.
This is one of my main hangouts. Another of the Latin Concepts venues (along with Chi-cha lounge and Guarapo) where hookahs, sushi, and mojitos are the mainstay. Even in the winter the balcony is good stuff with the wind screens put up and the heaters blasting.I think they have a pretty good happy hour with $6 mojitos and $4 california rolls but regardless of when you go you have to try the ceviche. I can't eat it fast enough. SO GOOD!Staff is all very friendly, especially if you're friendly to them first and don't treat folks like their just the help. The other thing I like about it is its never insanely busy to the point you can't walk around. I also really dig the DJs. This past Wednesday the DJ was spinning nothing but deep house remixes of classic rock song. Badass set.
by Sally M.
One of my favourite venues in DC. Ideal ambiance: lounge-style seating on the outdoor deck with heat lamps, candles, hookas, and the occasional belly-dancer. Slammin' house-music DJ dropping some deep, fun, and even international beats. And the best mojitos. Ever. Passion Fruit Mojitos. I haven't found a similar venue in SF yet. OK, so I'll give you Thai food and Gazuza Washington. For the rest, I prefer SF.
by Kate B.
The only word I can think of to aptly describe Gazuza is "Eurotrashy." It's trendy hip, sure, with a lot of would-be hipsters-gone-corporate lounging around in satin dresses and collared shirts, but it's also got a distinctly European feel - not always in a good way. The inside of Gazuza feels like a Bret Easton Ellis or Jay McInerney novel, like people are probably doing lines in the bathroom comparing business cards at the tables, the pulsating, pounding pseudo-techno is enough to disoriente you, make you feel like you're watching a slow-motion, Vicodin-laced, flashing-lights version of yourself. That said, I really do like their patio area. It's got a fun view of the street below, so if you're sitting near the railing you can people-watch over Connecticut. And the hookah is simply great -- smooth, long-lasting satisfying, although certainly NOT inexpensive. I got a champagne mojito to accompany our mint hookah -- an excellent choice on both fronts. The drink was outstanding, although as others have said, next time I'll know to order two at once to overcompensate for the slowwww, slowwwww service.I noticed some people have clicked "no" on whether or not Gazuza is wheelchair accessible. In fact, it is. Even though it's is an upstairs joint, it's got an elevator. In fact, the night I was there, three people in wheelchairs/scooters came in a group together -- although they had a little trouble navigating the closely spaced outdoor furniture, the staff was very helpful in accommodating them it worked out just fine.Finally: The last time I tried to do hookah at Gazuza, they were PACKED. I mean, no seats anywhere, practically no standing room anywhere, never-gonna-get-a-seat ridiculosity. We left. In closing? I'll be back to Gazuza for the hookah cocktails, but only if I can catch them on a slow night.
by ml k.
Trendy. This is a nice place to hang out with friends, sit on the porch, look out at the street view. In the winter, the porch is warmed with torchlights and is still a great place to sit. The negative is that its pricey. The solution: go for the happy hour (5-7PM), they have $5 martinis and $4 sushi rolls that are delish. Another positive - the wait staff is always enthusiastic and friendly.
by Tina H.
If you've noticed a significant increase in my reviews of bars, you're absolutely right -- I AM drinking more. As the school year drags on, and the job hunt continues, I find my thoughts turning more and more frequently to liquor. Don't worry though -- I don't have a problem, I swear.Mahogany G. (who loves school almost as much as I do) and I met up at Gazuza a few nights ago. Our original plan was to get a hookah, sit on one of the cushy couches and girl talk the night away. Unfortunately, there was a bachelorette party going on, and all the tables were reserved. It looked like people could order hookahs at the bar too, but the contraption took up a lot of space, and neither Mahogany nor myself really needed a flavored smoke that badly. So instead we stood at the bar, ordered drinks, and tried our darnedest to ignore the head-splitting thumping of the techno pouring out of the speakers.Best mango mojito ever. It was sweet and refreshing and not at all boozy-tasting -- just the way I like it. Mmmmm. I would have ordered more, but I'm not made of money, and cannot afford to splurge on $9.50 drinks when there are bills to pay. Alas.
by Merida F.
I went with a few friends for dinner and sat outside on the patio. The patio was very nice and refreshing to sit and relax. The food was great(try the ceviche ). I saw on previous reviews that some people had issues with waiter service and we had a similar problem. We had to flag the waiter over several times to inquire about our appetizer(it arrived after our meals) and getting new drinks.
by Frank H.
I didn't eat here. I had drinks and hookah. The ambiance is posh and modern with funky furniture in the loft area.If you come here for anything, I would say... come for the uber hot European wait staff.... yowsa!! So if your in the area and want to let off some steam, head over here have a drink and gawk.
by Soneyet M.
It seemed really great the first time...after the 100th time I am kind of over it. Guess that is what typically happens to all the bars in DC. Fun for awhile then we members of the fickle public would like something new...:)
by Candace H.
Warning: Gazuza currently has NO shisha.My love for Gazuza is slowly trickling out of a faucet that once flowed... and without its shisha, Gazuza just doesn't have the appeal.I enjoy this place in the summertime because of their hot roof deck.My friends always end up coming here - probably due to their non-yelp-iness and therefore complete lack of knowledge of other, cooler spots around DC. That said, I returned last weekend at about 7pm on a Saturday night to find the entire place empty save the regular waiters.When we walked in, waitress and trainee rushed up to us eagerly - "WELCOME to Gazuza!" (big phony smiles) "Please take a seat anywhere you like." (here it comes) "Oh, and um we have no um 'hookah'" (it's a direct quote, my teeth grate just typing that stuff-white-people-like-word) "...tonight so just wanted to let you know!"What? Wait, what?! That's the only reason I come to this place. The allure of alcohol and shisha with your bright and sexy red walls. And if you take shisha out of the equation, well then you're just a really expensive bar that's been painted red and I have no reason to be here. I asked the waitress what happened and when there would be shisha again. "Well we um kind of like lost our license and um well we'll probably have hookah again tomorrow... actually... we don't know... but probably sometime soon." I pointed to the manager and asked if he knew when they would have shisha again. "Oh, yeah, he doesn't know" she said.I tried to persuade friends to hit up Chi-Cha Lounge or Soussi, both of which have alochol and shisha and are very close to Gazuza, but they weren't having it. So they ordered sushi, and I got a drink. Huge groups wandered in, prepared for their Saturday night and shed off their winter layers as the bouncer checked their IDs (really? no one was there dude, that is so unnecessary) and they all suited back up and left when the bouncy waitress and trainee delivered the news.Good luck with this one, Gazuza. I'd be really interested to see how badly your sales suffered during your "temporary" loss of license... hope you get it back soon. Loving Gazuza.Cute bouncer- I think his name is Xavier? Pineapple Martinis are great, the shisha…
by Brett G.
I'll start off with the only thing I don't like about the place. The only thing that could possibly make it better would be an open air patio overlooking Connecticut Avenue. With that said, this place is about as fun as it gets. While it may get a little packed, the atmosphere is awesome, and the resident DJ spins some of the best trance and electro in DC. I've come to Gazuza a few times, and I've never been let down. The hookah is served up fast, and even if there's nowhere to sit, it's always easy to find a place along the bar to set up. If you find yourself going to Prince Cafe and think there's something missing, you're probably right- check out this spot. Fun times, attractive people, stellar music and a great vibe. The patio gives you a little room to mingle away from the dimly-lit bar, and there's more seating if you get lucky and get the opportunity to snag a table. I highly recommend it
by Im Han K.
3.5*Sushi, hookah, and booze all served to you by equally delicious looking women. It's a beautiful lofty space with big windows and modern atmosphere. A great place to cozy up on the lounge sets for low conversation. Or...to let your partner gawk at the waitresses while you stuff your face and run up the bill with overpriced (but well made) sushi/martinis :) However, I would not come party here - the crowd is generally unattractive, overdressed, and lacking personality. It's an okay launch point for Dupont though. I think Candace H. said describes it best, as having a "non-yelp-iness" factor. There are definitely hipper spots in the area.
by Nihar S.
Haha...I had to laugh at some of these reviews -- where did the hookah's there? I was there this past weekend (6/27/09) and they had their arsenal out. The staff is very friendly and the clientele is very attractive. I agree that this place is not a place where you can mingle freely with everyone, but DC has plenty of other venues where that's possible. And besides, if you're really in the mood to strike a conversation, you can -- the other people don't bite. I talked *gasp!* to the fine ladies next to me to borrow their tongs to move the coal -- obviously that led to more small talk, so it's not the people there. People talk to friendly people.Anyway, this place is a staple when I want a chill night with my friends and just listen to good lounge music without caring if someone will start a fight next to me a la Adams Morgan or start throwing up next to me, a la Adams Morgan. If you're thinking of going crazy rowdy here, don't bother -- it won't happen. If you want to go out and chill and see where the night leads you -- I would absolutely recommend it. PS - the mojitos and the caiprianas and the grey goose/tonic are strong and are very well mixed. I'm not sure about the other cocktails they serve.
by Mel B.
I'm definitely a fan of the low key vibe. As a female, I am always a fan of places where I can go and not have to worry about it being a meat market. Everyone minds their own business and stays with their respective group, especially if you're at a table. The actual bar might be a bit different, but it still seemed people remained with their own friends.It's pricey. We had a group of five and the hostess reminded us that there would be a minimum of $20 per person. Fine.Drinks are great and the waitresses are friendly. This is a great place to get a cocktail, smoke some hookah, and sit semi-outdoors on a nice summer evening with friends. It's classy and modern and mysterious, mildly Euro feel, but yet low key and fun.Get there early for a table, otherwise you have to wait, deal with people who are taking their time vacating tables blah blah blah....
by Marco S.
It was going so well....Every three months or so, I'll make the journey to Gazuza. I generally have a good time. The crowd has gotten friendlier, bigger, even funner over the years. At the same time, it's never so crowded that you need to deal with a line or pay a cover. And while there's never any dancing, there is good enough background music to keep it interesting. So far so good? Heh. Last Saturday I made my quarterly pilgrimage. For the first time, we splurged for a table, next to the windows overlooking CT Avenue with our own strawberry tobacco hookah pipe. This privilege had a table minimum of $100, which isnt a problem if you have more than 4 or 5 people. Anyways, there I was, enjoying the atmosphere when I start noticing a palpable sense of undeniable D-baggery at the table next to us. Since all the tables share a common long couch/bench that runs along the windows, the D-baggery is really taking place at the couch seat next to us. Anyways, one member of the party next to us was clearly drunk out of his mind. Fine at Tom Tom, annoying as hell at a hookah bar joint. Within a minute of us sitting down, he had dropped a glass of red wine on the floor next to us so it splattered all over. Customary reaction? "Oh, im so sorry, hope I didnt splash you. No? Phew, sorry". Then move on. His reaction? "......" Combine the silence with a heavy-lidded prickish little smirk, I just about smacked him upside the head. Still, by now Im taking monster hits off the peace pipe and feeling low key, so instead I moved further away and just let him waver back and forth on the couch, like a Dbag Bobble Head.Maybe 5 minutes later, a peculiar stench, and not of my strawberry hookah hash, violates my nostrils. Instinctively I look back at the drunken asshole, and lo and behold, right there on the wee little bit of couch space separating his bright blue mom jeans and my friend...a neat little puddle of puke, with one last bit trailing from the puddle back to his upturned D-bag lip; a proverbial finger point "yes! I belong to this asshole!"I can see the steam rising. I can see bits of whatever it is extreme douchebags eat for dinner...peas, Hot Pockets, Hungryman TV dinners...whatever. It captures the glare from the Connecticut Avenue streetlights and shimmers it around the room. Instantly, and I mean within a second of realizing what I'm looking at, I am in a desperate struggle to not vomit myself. My eyes turn red; tears stream out; saliva turns hot; stomach starts clenching; gag reflex kicks in, and I start dry heaving. I just can't help it. Knowing I am within seconds of vomiting on all my friends, I run to the bathroom and hide in the stall, slowly regaining my composure as the gags keep coming. It's a long hard battle. Clearly I'm not ready for little babies, but Ive boiled the essence of my quandary to the following:Marco + Someone's Puke = Marco PukingI eventually make it back out, and the waitress has belatedly decided its time to kick out the D-Bag. Then the "Man With The Mop" shows up. He has on rubber gloves. I start gagging again. Not to mention the entire place still smells like puke. The table is cleaned, but there is NO WAY IN HELL I am sitting back down there. Another hapless group takes over the D-bags former table. A very cute girl in light pants sits innocently and happily on the couch that was just covered in vomit, bouncing about and looking cute. That's too much for me....over and out. The manager did give me free shot though! Woo hoo!
by Linda P.
I went to Gazuzas on Friday for Happy Hour with a group of 8. When we arrived at the door around 7pm, they were having a special: all you can drink for $10 until 8:30 pm. Can you say "AMAZING!" It was...until I went to the bar to order my drink, unfortunately it was not on any special drinks (i.e, martini). However, no biggie. We did order vodka sours, cranberry vodka, coke and rum, etc! Yum! That kept very nice for the rest of the night. When we arrived at 7, all the seating outside was full, so we initially sat indoors. We ordered tuna ceviche and sushi which were reasonably priced. The waiter was slooow. Our sushi did not come with wasabi and ginger. The waiter rarely checked on us, and we had to hunt him down to ask for the wasabi, even then, he forgot about us...and the wasabi never came.There was eventually open seating outside on the balcony area, and our group moved out there. There were a few groups who ordered hookah. The lounge couches were very comfortable and overlooked Connecticut. The music was okay...but after a few drinks, we didn't really care. We ended up meeting a really fun group of girls celebrating a birthday and made the outdoor balcony into a dance floor!When we finally decided to leave around 11 pm, we got our bill. It turns out that the drinks we ordered with the bartender before the 8:30 pm cut-off were included in our bill. Apparently, drinks not ordered at the bar are not included in the $10 cover noted above. After arguing with the waiter, we finally convinced him to remove those drinks from the bill. I give this place 3 stars: Good location, fun atmosphere, but the wait staff could be more attentive.
by Nick H.
After coming to DC for the weekend for the best wedding I've ever experienced, our group of 13 decided to head to Dupont and hit up a bar. After going back to our hotels to change, a friend steered us to Gazuza. There were many highs and many lows about the experience but I'd go back again. Low: Being denied entry at the door because the bouncer, Helen Keller, was strictly enforcing the apparent 'dress code' of no shorts or sandals. While, yes, some were wearing these articles, myself included, it was already midnight, 85 degrees outside and once inside, I noticed that this dress code was clearly not enforced. Maybe we smelled like Midwest? I am damn sure we didn't look it.High: The manager gouging out Helen Keller's useless eyes and rushing us in and ensuring we had two tables when the place was packed. This was after I casually (read :drunkenly) told Helen that our party of 13 just came from a wedding and were going to drop some serious coin - so thanks, but no thanks - we'll gladly spend our money elsewhere. Helen must have sent up smoke signals because the manager was outside in 3 seconds. FYI - tables for 5 run $100. An annoyance but not a problem in this circumstance. I'm not going to lie, everyplace else I've had hookah has been way hippie or completely Middle Eastern in design, look, and feel. I initially didn't think the modern vibe and music would jive with the hookah experience. I was flatly wrong. After some great drinks, champagne, and 5 different hookahs, I was very satisfied with the experience. It's a good mix and lots of people but groups pretty much stay to themselves - something I like if you're going to smoke hookah with group of friends. Can't remember any details about the service...which means no complaints - I was content that night.
by Vonetta Y.
3.5 starsI can't believe I hadn't been to Gazuza before this weekend. Seems like the kind of spot one would find me lurking in: vibrant atmosphere, international people, dark corners, modern decor, etc etc. I'm not sure I sensed the fullest essence of the bar (since R is a pretty cute distraction ;) ), but I certainly enjoyed myself.R and I didn't indulge in the shisha goodness, but we did drinks, Maker's for him and a classic mojito for moi. Not the best I've ever had (I think that might be Cafe Citron's, truthbetold), but pretty good. Mostly forgettable, save the mint leaves (I know you're not supposed to chew them, but I couldn't resist). We sat in a dark corner on the patio, and despite getting a little bit rained on, I still liked the ambiance out there: house music, beautiful international crowd (mostly Eastern European and Arab, if I'm remembering correctly). The bar inside is also nice, but fairly typical for a pretentious bar. On the upside, and one of the reasons I actually quite like Gazuza, is the classic cartoons they played on the flatscreens. Nothing makes a Saturday night better than sipping a drink with my boy and watching Tom and Jerry in a deliciously pretentious bar.
by Ben W.
I've been to this place dozens of times, so I've had lots of experience with it, but its never my first choice of venue.Overall the drinks are pretty good, service varies from being excellent to 'where the f is our waitress' and the shisha is as good as you're likely to find in DC. This is one of the restaurants owned by the 'Latin Concepts' guys, who have a few restaurants around town known for their excellent happy hours, overpriced regular drinks, and absurdly low seating.This is a pretty good place for a group of people where some drink, some do not, as I've always been dragged to either Gazuza or its sister restaurant Chi Cha because they serve decent non-alcoholic drinks and the shisha's always above average.I find the scene of foppishly dressed dudes and loud club music to be pretty irritating on the weekends, especially when you have to sit in terribly low chairs with awkwardly small tables, but if you're going out for a quiet evening like on a Sunday afternoon or a weeknight, its a solid choice.I get a little tired of the overpriced drinks and pricey shisha after a while, but the outside balcony area is a nice place to smoke and hang out.
by KanKan Y.
If you asked me a few months ago how I rate this, it would've been 4 stars, but now it's two. Here's why:I used to come here alot after work or friday nights to get my hookah and mojito fill. It was casual and I could sit wherever without the hassle of table minimums, etc. The outdoor seating was great in the summers (and to be fair, it still is). It was just a nice place to sit back, relax, smoke, and not think about stuff...And here comes the plunge...- There are certain places that are uppity and still friendly. This used to be one but now it isn't. - There is a table minimum. These tables are tiny 2 ft by 2 ft tables and can seat maybe up to 3 if you want elbow room. I went with a group of 6 folks and we just wanted hookah and a couple drinks.. We sat down and the waitress pulls up 2 tables and right off the bat tells us we have to order at least 200 dollars of stuff. Hi! Nice to meet you too!- For those who just want to do hookah (which is what the 6 of us wanted to do), you're probably not going to meet the table minimum...the waitress told us we'd have to put it up at the bar (which was super crowded...or stand around. So much for lounging around...time to hit up a different place...
by alexandra f.
When my guy friend brought me to Gazuza my first reaction was "Wow, a place I haven't been to in DC. Surprising." The place itself is definitely an upscale for DC. Part on a balcony part inside, my immediate reaction was positive. The seating is a little miniature which got the lady next to me pissed off when I brushed past her a few times but whatever, get over it bitch. The waitstaff was very friendly and I never had to flag our waitress over for another drink. She just kept bringing 'em. Not sure if it was because she was a great waitress our she wanted to take home my guy friend. Again, whatever.Now, why 3 stars you ask? The shisha was not good. We ordered grape but really it could've been a variety of fruits (or vegetables for that matter). It was very harsh and hard to smoke. The drinks were alright but, like I experience in many places, not enough booze. The music was also spotty. The DJ was trying his best to spin some trance/house but he's never heard of fading? It was like one song, ::pause 5 seconds, no music, awkwardness::, new song. Now for my last 2 cents before I finally finish this novel of a review, the people...The population of DC is roughly 600,000 people. The population of Manhattan is about 1.6 million. So, a million extra people guarantees Manhattan club, lounge, and bar owners that they can be picky in who they let in. Unfortunately, for DC, owners have to let in pretty much anyone with a valid government ID. Hence, the bizarre assortment of clientele in Gazuza. Someone please tell the bachelorette party from Saturday evening that it is not appropriate to a) take your fiance with you and b) scream and hop around with a rainbow colored penis pop. You look like an asshole.
by Sami A.
Went back here recently when I was in DC. I came here with my cousin and sister for their sushi happy hour. Honestly, I haven't had good sushi on the East Coast, and I didn't think good sushi on this coast existed until I came here. BEST sushi on the East Coast EVER!! Tastes super fresh, and utterly delicious. Their belly tuna was amazing, so was the salmon. Also got this other one, I forget the name of it, but it has caviar on top. The torched tuna was okay--tasted more cooked than sushi should be, but still not bad. Their sashimi is $1 a piece during happy hour. Not bad at all considering it tastes amazing! Maybe it's because I hadn't smoked hookah in awhile, but their hookah definitely hit. Customer service was fantastic. The woman helping us was super friendly and helpful. Eh, I've been to better hookah lounges. But I like this place for it's ambiance. I also didn't have…
by Nooshin X.
Came here with a big group and got a booth. They were able to accomodate us so late in the evening on a Saturday night. It was GREAT service. The music is kind of lame, but we came for the hookah so we had a blast.
by Chase D.
Headed back here when I was in DC for a week. All my old favorite joints had closed down -- Five, MCCXXIII, even Home Ultrabar in Chinatown, all gone. I wanted a little nostalgia, somewhere familiar, so headed back to Gazuza.I've never seen it all that crowded, and the Thursday night I went was no exception. There were some folks there, mostly just sitting around chatting, sipping drinks, and smoking hookah, but the crowd was light. This is a place that I'll come to meet up with friends and chill and have a good discussion, and that's what I did. I met up with a friend of mine in DC I hadn't seen in over a year, and we did some catching up, some drinking, and generally had a great time. Towards the end of the night the bartender gave us each a shot of Jack Daniels on the house. Mighty nice of her, I'd say (though to be honest we did tip pretty well).Everything was just the same as I'd left it: classy, chill, and intimate. Great place to meet a friend or two, and you could certainly take a date here -- go chill on one of the couches on the patio and breathe some fresh air and get to know each other. Good to know it's still around.
by Go K.
Minimum Age: Not sure.Cost: FreeCrowd: Mixed, 20's.Dress Code: Trendy.Music: HouseDate Attended: 10/03/09, SaturdayI'm not a smoker, so I'm a little biased. This is a hookah lounge in the Dupont Circle area. The music wasn't loud and was good for the ambience of the establishment. Almost everybody was sitting at a table, smoking hookahs, or at the bar. Definitely not a dancing venue if that's what you're looking for. Didn't like too much of what I saw either. Needless to say, I didn't stay long.Pros: No cover. Chill hangout spot. Hookahs.Cons: Mildly smoky.
by Randy W.
Welcome to Gazuza, yet another haunt of the self-obsessed, image junkie DC yuppie. Be careful where you step or your soul may be sucked out by one of the Euro-succubi lingering near the bar. Gazuza was the place we would go when we knew that the evening was beyond saving. There was no merit in pretending that we were doing anything short of stumbling from bar to bar in search of a pure wisdom a man in his young 20's strives to discover, a man in his late 20's believes he possesses, and a man in his 30's knows never existed. If you're in Gazuza odds are you are convinced of your own worth to the universe. You are so convinced of it that you've come to scam on young, pretty Euro girls looking to have you buy them overpriced fancy drinks with the promise that if you demonstrate enough wealth you too can spin the venereal disease wheel in her bedroom. It tends to be dark, loud (I'm talking jet engines taking off loud), and expensive here. They do sell hookahs though.
by Farzan K.
Gazuza Crossword: __ 1| _ | __ __ | _ | _2| _ |_3| _ |____ | _ | 5| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _________| _ | __| _ | ______6| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 7| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _________| _ |_________| _ |__ 8| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | | _ | | _ | | _ |Clues:Down Across1. Clientele 5. Shisha2. Will you find a seat? 6. Only 4 dollars for happy hour3. Where couches here are from 7. $100 for this.7. Music Style 8. Where does this place belong?.......---------------------Answers:1. yuppies2. no3. ikea7(down). trance5. hookah6. sushi7(across). table8. Adams Morgan
by Michelle L.
To maximize your experience at Gazuza, you really need to make a reservation and pay the minimum for a table. I believe they range from $70-$150. Given the high prices of this establishment, it won't be hard. Besides, how can you smoke a hookah standing and walking around? The layout of Gazuza is narrow but they win points with their large, heated patio. I recommend sitting out here to avoid the smoke induced dry eye and save some of your clothing (and your hair). For a nightlife scene it's pretty good. Great and diverse crowd and occasionally they have a DJ who drops some cool mixes. Here's where Gazuza could gain points: Offer an area with no tables for those just wanting to mingle sans Hookah. The atmosphere here is cool enough to draw folks in Better waiter service. They offer up food at Gazuza but we never had waiter service to get it. A decent spot for a fun and unique night out!
by kendall w.
LOVE.+ Hookah in all kinds of delightful flavors -- smoky peaches? yes, please+ Champagne Mojitos Pineapple Martinis -- a winning combination to get me well on my way to tipsyville, fo sho+ A heated "patio" + HOT staff and patrons -- I have not been here once without having a sessy sensory overload+ Cozy, comfy couches -- I settle in and don't. move. - Mediocre sushi -- *sad face*- Standing up after lounging for an hour+ smoking hookah and drinking can bring on an insta-buzz. Careful!
by kendall w.Michelle L.Farzan K.
LOVE.+ Hookah in all kinds of delightful flavors -- smoky peaches? yes, please+ Champagne Mojitos Pineapple Martinis -- a winning combination to get me well on my way to tipsyville, fo sho+ A heated "patio" + HOT staff and patrons -- I have not been here once without having a sessy sensory overload+ Cozy, comfy couches -- I settle in and don't. move. - Mediocre sushi -- *sad face*- Standing up after lounging for an hour+ smoking hookah and drinking can bring on an insta-buzz. Careful!To maximize your experience at Gazuza, you really need to make a reservation and pay the minimum for a table. I believe they range from $70-$150. Given the high prices of this establishment, it won't be hard. Besides, how can you smoke a hookah standing and walking around? The layout of Gazuza is narrow but they win points with their large, heated patio. I recommend sitting out here to avoid the smoke induced dry eye and save some of your clothing (and your hair). For a nightlife scene it's pretty good. Great and diverse crowd and occasionally they have a DJ who drops some cool mixes. Here's where Gazuza could gain points: Offer an area with no tables for those just wanting to mingle sans Hookah. The atmosphere here is cool enough to draw folks in Better waiter service. They offer up food at Gazuza but we never had waiter service to get it. A decent spot for a fun and unique night out!Gazuza Crossword: __ 1| _ | __ __ | _ | _2| _ |_3| _ |____ | _ | 5| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _________| _ | __| _ | ______6| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 7| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _________| _ |_________| _ |__ 8| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | | _ | | _ | | _ |Clues:Down Across1. Clientele 5. Shisha2. Will you find a seat? 6. Only 4 dollars for happy hour3. Where couches here are from 7. $100 for this.7. Music Style 8. Where does this place belong?.......---------------------Answers:1. yuppies2. no3. ikea7(down). trance5. hookah6. sushi7(across). table8. Adams Morgan
by kendall w.Michelle L.Farzan K.Randy W.Go K.
LOVE.+ Hookah in all kinds of delightful flavors -- smoky peaches? yes, please+ Champagne Mojitos Pineapple Martinis -- a winning combination to get me well on my way to tipsyville, fo sho+ A heated "patio" + HOT staff and patrons -- I have not been here once without having a sessy sensory overload+ Cozy, comfy couches -- I settle in and don't. move. - Mediocre sushi -- *sad face*- Standing up after lounging for an hour+ smoking hookah and drinking can bring on an insta-buzz. Careful!To maximize your experience at Gazuza, you really need to make a reservation and pay the minimum for a table. I believe they range from $70-$150. Given the high prices of this establishment, it won't be hard. Besides, how can you smoke a hookah standing and walking around? The layout of Gazuza is narrow but they win points with their large, heated patio. I recommend sitting out here to avoid the smoke induced dry eye and save some of your clothing (and your hair). For a nightlife scene it's pretty good. Great and diverse crowd and occasionally they have a DJ who drops some cool mixes. Here's where Gazuza could gain points: Offer an area with no tables for those just wanting to mingle sans Hookah. The atmosphere here is cool enough to draw folks in Better waiter service. They offer up food at Gazuza but we never had waiter service to get it. A decent spot for a fun and unique night out!Gazuza Crossword: __ 1| _ | __ __ | _ | _2| _ |_3| _ |____ | _ | 5| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _________| _ | __| _ | ______6| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 7| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _________| _ |_________| _ |__ 8| _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | | _ | | _ | | _ |Clues:Down Across1. Clientele 5. Shisha2. Will you find a seat? 6. Only 4 dollars for happy hour3. Where couches here are from 7. $100 for this.7. Music Style 8. Where does this place belong?.......---------------------Answers:1. yuppies2. no3. ikea7(down). trance5. hookah6. sushi7(across). table8. Adams MorganWelcome to Gazuza, yet another haunt of the self-obsessed, image junkie DC yuppie. Be careful where you step or your soul may be sucked out by one of the Euro-succubi lingering near the bar. Gazuza was the place we would go when we knew that the evening was beyond saving. There was no merit in pretending that we were doing anything short of stumbling from bar to bar in search of a pure wisdom a man in his young 20's strives to discover, a man in his late 20's believes he possesses, and a man in his 30's knows never existed. If you're in Gazuza odds are you are convinced of your own worth to the universe. You are so convinced of it that you've come to scam on young, pretty Euro girls looking to have you buy them overpriced fancy drinks with the promise that if you demonstrate enough wealth you too can spin the venereal disease wheel in her bedroom. It tends to be dark, loud (I'm talking jet engines taking off loud), and expensive here. They do sell hookahs though.Minimum Age: Not sure.Cost: FreeCrowd: Mixed, 20's.Dress Code: Trendy.Music: HouseDate Attended: 10/03/09, SaturdayI'm not a smoker, so I'm a little biased. This is a hookah lounge in the Dupont Circle area. The music wasn't loud and was good for the ambience of the establishment. Almost everybody was sitting at a table, smoking hookahs, or at the bar. Definitely not a dancing venue if that's what you're looking for. Didn't like too much of what I saw either. Needless to say, I didn't stay long.Pros: No cover. Chill hangout spot. Hookahs.Cons: Mildly smoky.
