Babylon Futbol Cafe

by Amalia B.

This review is for the wannabe club thing they have. I went last night, not by choice, but as a favor for a friend. Beforehand, I checked their website to see what exactly would be going on. There was no mention of a cover charge and it just said "DJ MAMUSH" or whoever was playing. I arrive at a little after 11pm and there is a freaking 20 dollar cover charge?! WHAT IN THE HELL?! WHY?!!!! THIS ISN'T EVEN A REAL NIGHT CLUB. IT'S AT THE END OF A STRIP MALL, HAHA! I should have left at that moment, goddamn it. Apparently it was 10 or 15 dollars a little earlier, which is still ridiculous to me. Anyway, I sit down and the DJ is playing some reggaeton stuff, I dunno, but at least there were people dancing. My long island iced tea tasted like it was missing something so I had a shot of tequila and then a beer. It didn't really help the situation, haha. Soon the music stops for like 20 minutes and all you hear is like random notes on a keyboard for awhile. It was like wtf, couldn't you have made an announcement saying what the fuck was going on? Soon a band comes on and starts singing in Ethiopian? I'm not sure.I walk into the bathroom and its full of Ethiopian girls (I think?) who are either cutting me in line and barfing or pooping AND there was no toilet paper. Goddamn it again!I don't really care that I paid 29 dollars for 3 drinks, but I want my 20 dollars I paid just to enter into this bullshit. This sucked so hard.

by Shy J.

Yesterday, I went to this place for the first time.  The decor is nice and it's a casual sports bar with lots of seating for diners.  We arrived around happy hour and the four of us sat down for dinner.  We were hungry so we ordered right away.  Since it was happy hour, they had a DJ and folks teaching/dancing line dancing.  Me and my friends really enjoyed ourselves here but I wish we hadn't come their for the food.  The waiter kept forgetting our order.  Their were only 2 waiters for over 50 people.  Our food was bland, cold, not prepared properly and old.....that should sum it all up.  I would never visit this place for food again.  Drinks, happy hour or night life, that's another story.  Overall, I had a good time because I was with my bestfriends.  Downfall, the waiter didn't write anything down, forgot orders, kept asking what we ordered, and barely spoke any english.  At one point, the waiter told me he went into the kitchen to make the tea I had ordered...What happened to the kitchen staff?  The place is big and can definitely hold a lot of people.  If anything, avoid their food!!!  I will go their again, they can have my money for happy hour drinks but never again for food!!!  I hope I have gave everyone a fair warning.  :)

by Najam Q.

I really like this place in a sense. it's really open and roomy place to have a birthday party or just hang with friends and if you love hooka than this is the place to be!

by Judith L.

This place looks nice- it's big, lots of flat screens, with a bar, two separate areas with couches. (I've been a few times for birthday parties where you can reserve a certain space- but the prices can be more than I'd like- a cover plus another $20 when you're seated that gets you one free drink and something to eat. Which isn't so bad, but everyone had to pay it- even the people that didn't drink or eat and they were just stopping by for a short time. There's also a dance floor and a dj. The music varies- they play a bit of everything and there are always people on the dance floor. Every time I've been here, there's been a crowd, especially around the bar- it can be hard to get a drink late at night, it's easier to just order from a waiter (if you can find one) if you're sitting at a table. The crowd varies as well, there are some people there for drinks with friends, to celebrate the end of the work day, and then some weird people that just stare at you- but I guess that goes for many places. Considering the other options for the area, this is one of the few places you can get everything in- dancing, hookah, drinks, futbol games, food... without going to more expensive places or making a trip to a place that will limit you more- like just a bar, or just a hookah place, or a club in DC. I go with friends and it's not bad- have a few drinks, smoke some shisha, dance a little.

by Ohmnivore P.

I read the other reviews of Babylon, which is a favorite neighborhood spot, and think its motto may be correct, a sports bar for the rest of the world.  In order to appreciate Babylon, you must appreciate "futbol" (soccer), international music and food, and smoking.  The whole interior was redone after its last life as a Chinese restaurant.  It is clean and elegant.  Lights tend to be dim and it is properly heated and air conditioned (thank you!).  I think the place also has wi-fi now.This  is one of the only local spots that will serve late, up til around 1:30 AM and you can afford the place even if you are on a budget.,,,a very nice alternative to a diner.  It is a good choice on weeknights when you don't have time to cook.  And if you work a very late shift, it is nice to come here and have a cheerful environment with good music, rather than going to places that are in shut-down mode just as you are arriving.There are separate areas for smoking the water pipe, very comfy with sofas and tvs so you can also watch the soccer match.  The wait staff are polite and generally responsive, some are a little slow  You will also find the owners tend to be on site and may ask you if everything is alright.  They care to make the service as good as possible even though this is quite an informal restaurant.  You should draw their attention to any service issues and they will take care of it.The DJ's do not play every night, but their choice in music is wonderful, a mix of different world music and they know their stuff.  Arabic music is a special favorite, and one of the DJs seems to play retro 70s stuff which is funky and groovy.If you do not want to eat or smoke, you can just hang out at the bar and have a drink and there are also foosball tables near the bar.  Management of this restaurant is very relaxed and they do not hustle you out the door.  Not many (affordable) restaurants have such a nice environment and considerate wait staff.  The place has ample tables and seating, all with a view of one flat screen TV or other.  They play different matches from all over the world on different screens, which is very nice.  However, unlike other sports bars, you are not blasted with the sound of the match (rather you hear the music being played....)  It is not a bad place to go if you want to sit, talk, and drink in a nice environment, esp. at off peak times.  One of the most subdued times to go to Babylon is in the afternoon, weekday or weekend.  You can sit at the bar and eat/drink in a very relaxing environment.  The bartenders and other customers are very respectful and give you your privacy, which is nice.  They even let me change the channel to CNN to watch the news during lunch.The food at Babylon is basic, some is very good, and it is very well-priced.  Special favorites include the homemade vegetable soup, lamb sausage sandwich, and Mediterranean burger, - all worthy of a trip to Babylon.  Other good choices include Caribbean crescent (if you like Jamaican patties) and homemade papusas - though I found the latter may be good or not, depending on who is working the kitchen that night.  I have tried the desserts and recommend an after-dinner drink instead of dessert.  Some of my friends like the larger entrees which include Latin, Ethiopian, Italian, and Middle Eastern fare.  I prefer to have several choices from the lighter menu and share, along with a nice cold drink.  The happy hour is good and includes well-priced basic food, there is also a fixed-price lunch that is good.Favorite drinks include Bass ale and Peroni beer, - latter is really nice and refreshing.

by Shameka H.

I like this place service could use some work I like the set up and how it kinda turns into a club after 11 the ethio food is yummy nice music ...i like coming to smoke and drink with friends it like a home away from home a I have taken a few of my dates here who likes footbul lots of t.vs full bar games on every screen nice set up very relaxing like I had service could use some work tho

by Brandon S.

I always thought Babylon was a establishment for people who dwell on the underside of society. Odd name, tucked away on the end of a strip mall, I don't know why I gave it that kind of prejudice.I met up with a friend there on Sunday to kick off the 2009 NFL season and cheer on my Brownies. This bar is clean and well decorated with TVs scattered all over the place. No seat is neglected a chance to cheer their team on to victory...except my Browns, of course. Plenty of space and a few projection size screens will probably be showcasing mostly 'Skins and Ravens games. The Cowboys game was on the big screen today and a few of the patrons were getting rowdy, but it was all in good fun and football trash talk back and forth. Good natured people and good service from the employees here.I didn't get a chance to sample any of the food and I guess theres dancing later in the night on the weekends. I'm not sure about during the week. There are a couple of private rooms and they do have hookahs to puff on while you relax and imbibe. I can only give this place a 3 star rating because I was there when it wasn't too busy, and I didn't have any of the food.Would I go back there again? Yes. Do I expect my Browns to win? Lets hope so.

by jason c.

Babylon is the kind of place you go to on the day of a big soccer game, to have a drink and watch, or somewhere to go on a friday or saturday night when you don't want to go to an actual club but want to dance and drink. Babylon isn't the kind of place I'd go if i were hungry. The food is pretty bland, and alot of the things on the menu are things that one could make at home. The atmosphere is very very relaxed theres alot of space and the service is pretty good but as far as the food goes, you should probably find somewhere else to eat

by Winston S.

My work colleagues and I have been coming to Babylon once a week for several months now and have seen a severe decline in customer service.  Yesterday, we went there and the place was not busy at all.  It was about 5:20pm and we waited for 20 minutes, no waiter came to us.  In fact we had to get up and grab a waiter to take our order.  The hookah that came out was subpar, i had to have the waiter remake it twice before it was "average" not even good.  Then, after I paid and left ( i didn't leave a tip this time cause i was pretty upset) the waiter came running after me asking for a tip.  What ghetto place did this become??  On the other hand, Babylon is a large facility, maybe too large.  It has a dining area, two lounge rooms, and a dance floor.  Weekends there is a $10 cover to get in and a DJ.  Overall, I won't be coming back to this place again.  I've complained yesterday to the wait staff and the owner.  I rather spend my money elsewhere.

by John K.

Food is ok.  Friend said his falafel was tasteless.  My gyro had two pieces of lamb in it.  TWO?!  Does it look like I'm on a diet?I hear they have decent happy hour specials (1/2 price beer, PS3 and Xbox in the back), but we'll see if I have the urge to come back.Lunch special is ok - soup or salad + sandwich for $7.  But I probably got like 50 cents worth of meat.