by Kate N.

I had been to House of Hookah once before (on a week night) and had a great experience. NEVER go to this place on a weekend or busy weeknight - it's too small and too crowded. We had 4 people at a table for 2, and when another larger group got up from their table I asked an employee if we could move there - he said no because they had larger groups coming in - understandable. We had one hookah and when an employee came to change the charcoal for the 2nd time, i asked if we could get another hookah instead - he said he would come back. When he came back he brought us our bill! I told him that we weren't finished and would like another hookah to which he replied "we have a wait list and need this table.".... WHAT?!?!? We are PAYING customers wanting to enjoy another hookah at full price and you're telling us we have to leave because you have other people that need our table. Let's put this in perspective - say I go to a busy restaurant for dinner - I enjoy my entree and ask for dessert. The server would NEVER say I couldn't have dessert because they are on a wait and need to seat another table.So, while i was sitting there I called Samah (3330 N Clark - MUCH BETTER SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE!!!) and asked if they could get us in right away. We left and took our business (and tip) elsewhere.Thanks, House of Hookah, but I will NEVER return to you again. There are other much nicer places in the city that I'd rather spend my money.P.S. I never write reviews for places online like this - but I was appalled by the service and behaviors of the staff.

by Terrence M.

while the ambiance is less then perfect for a middle-eastern hookah place...the environment is really comfortable and the staff is very hospitable.  the menu is really good in terms of providing a comprehensive list of flavors, everything from watermelon to jasmine and blueberry!Despite people having horrible experiences there, i've had one good experience - that's not to say there aren't better places out there!  In any case, i woudl definintely go back again to check out some other flavors.   I have to say that there are a lot of smokers in there and the ventilation is pretty decent, so that gets all that mess outta the air so you can really enjoy the hookah.  we stayed until really late on a  monday way past closing time and we weren't pressured to leave or anything which is nice on the manager's part.

by Derek P.

After my second trip to this fabulous hookah bar i am convinced. I have only gone during the week, but both times the have been crowded but not to much to the point where u either can not get a hookah or it diminishes the experience. a very laid back experience. With both tables and a lounge area it provides a relaxed environment to enjoy a hookah. Would def go back again!

by Lauren K.

Thought it'd be sweet but it didn't live up to my expectations. Hadn't smoked hookah in over a month after I gave away my hookah of three years to someone last summer. I expected to see couches when we walked in but we had to sit @ a table. You want to be comfortable when chilling out and smoking a hookah, you know? They had seating on the ground at low tables surrounded with pillows but in order to sit in those areas you have to spend a $30 minimum. Didn't even get remotely buzzed after smoking for an hour, while my old hookah would give me a nice buzz after 30 minutes. My friend paid for us but it was like $20 between the hookah and a can of pop he got. Ridiculous, totally not worth your time. I was hoping they'd be playing some sweet music too, but instead a show similar to Cops was on tv... Lame. I guess one plus is that you can bring your own alcohol and it's only $2 to drink it there.

by Sunny R.

ambiance: terrible (rickity furniture, definitely agree with the comment below feeling like a cafeteria)hookah: so-soservice: again, terrible (our waiter didn't come by to check on us even once the entire time we were there)cost: not great, considering the lack of service and lack of ambiance, and the mediocre quality of hookahprobably won't go back.

by Lindsey S.

Hookah smoking is really not my thing, but I ended up coming here for a friend's birthday one night and found that I rather enjoyed myself. They have a variety of flavors to choose from and the setting is very comfortable - lots of comfy pillows to sit on. The best part, strangely enough, are their coffee drinks. I ordered a latte and it was delicious and super cheap. I might come back here if I was looking for something chill to do on a week night since it's so close to my apartment, but I'd say that if you are interested in trying something new it's a cheap alternative to eating out or bar hopping.

by Clay J.

Went here once on a Saturday night and had a great time. Stayed until close and had a few hookahs with friends. Good coffee. The old man who seems to run the place gave us a surprisingly delicious recommendation of Blue Raspberry... BUTWent back last weekend and had a terrible time. I agree with Chiara N., I thought they would be real chill, but they weren't. They ushered us out of the place after an hour, when we had been waiting for a guy to come and offer us a refill.Plus the place is packed with high schoolers, like it or not.The Arab-American videos that they show are, however, very awesome.

by Bethany M.

Loves the hookah, loves the Arabic music station.

by Julie N.

We arrived at 7:15 pm on a Wednesday. The hours were clearly posted online and on the front door as opening at 7:00 pm. The door was locked and after knocking several times, no one answered. The phone number posted on the door wasn't answered either -- it went to a fax machine! Too bad they can't get their act together -- we were really looking forward to trying this. We'll try Samah next time.

by Andrew H.

The ambiance could really be enhanced. I would really advise them to put in more plush seating, not just around the corners and against the walls. In fact, the tiles on the floor along with those tables and chairs in the middle make it seem like a cafeteria. Great concept, awesome videos, but the comfort level should be improved.

by Kyle L.

House of Hookah was my first time Hookah-ing and the first number I trips were a great experience.I started venturing to other shish joints and realized that HoH's selection was pretty stand up, but when I returned to the House, it was as if I'd been caught on Cheaters and House of Hookah was my scorned lover. The service got progressively worse, and even despite the fact that I'd seen busier times, the coals were never replaced. Also -- word of the wise, watch out for the drinks you order. Even a cup of water (which you must specifically order or else you'll get outrageously priced bottles) costs somewhere around .60 cents.I've yet to hit Sumah but I hear it's stand-up.HoH, however, has seen its last visit from me.

by Hasket M.

This place nickel and dimes the eff out of people.$30 minimum after 8:30.  Not in terms of credit cards but the amount you must spend to be here.You'll definitely get to that amount with the way they charge for extra people, charge PER PERSON that has brought their own drinks (since it's BYOB) and they'll also charge you for tiny paper cups of water.I will never return.

by Heather S.

I've been here twice, and will probably never ever ever go again.  This is, without a doubt, the worst hookah bar I've ever been to.  It looks like a cheap coffee shop inside, the service stinks, the prices are too high, and they rush you out as quickly as they can.  There is not relaxing, having fun, it's smoke and run.  Do NOT go here!

by Liz K.

Obligatory location for most college students.In the past three years I feel this place has gone downhill. I love the older owner, but the staff I've been around lately is just plain awful. We got two hookahs just so we could sit at the round tables and the one worker only changed our coal once, even after asking for it he "forgot" and we ended up, a half hour later, just paying and leaving. I've seen people sit and drink at the tables where you're supposed to get two hookahs, even when they're done smoking.The waits have become awful and sometimes it's just not even worth it. I think they're losing money now. Or they will be soon.

by Amanda V.

This is the best hookah bar I've been to in Chicago! They have so many shisha flavors to choose from, and you can even mix more than one. The atmosphere is casual and relaxing, and you can bring in outside food. They are also B.Y.O.B. and they play great music videos. I have been to other places that were a bit fancier, but they were more overpriced. This place is very reasonable in their pricing, and the Hookah flavors taste the best to me. So, basically you get your money's worth. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who is looking for the best Hookah in town. My friends and I had a great time.

by Monika G.

This is by far my favorite hookah bar!  I've been going there since they opened and have never had any complaints.  The owner is super nice, and the guys that work there are just awesome.Their tobacco selection is wonderful, and they're constantly coming up with new flavors and combinations.  Oh, and their coffee is seriously delicious!They do get busy and it can get crazy, but that's just part of the fun of a hookah bar like this.  I like that it's a big room full of people sharing the same experience.As long as you understand that the guys working and running around trying to get everything done and are friendly to them, they'll be super nice to you and treat you with above and beyond service!I can't wait to go back!

by v m.

one of the waiters is great. the rest of the folks are really awful in terms of service. the owner doesnt actually care about reservations and will openly say that he doesnt give an "eff" about service. he wants to make money. its sad. we left our name/number. then were called 20mins later. arrived a few minutes after being called and our seat was given away to customers that were just getting in the door. the manager was not helpful. actually pretty rude. there are lots of other better hookah lounges to go to.

by Rhonda G.

Puff puff pass...the hookah. What did you think I was talking about?Hey, the truth campaign didn't say anything about flavored tobacco..or do they? Whatever. Not the best place to go in my opinion. In fact this place felt kind of skeezy and dingy and I actually felt like I was doing something wrong by being here. We ended up here by accident when the place we wanted to go to was closed.I know smokeshop staff peeps are supposed to be laid back and whatever but these dudes were completely inattentive and rude to us.Also, $3 additional for a person who is just occupying a seat and not inhaling flavored smoke. Corkage fee is $2 per person and they don't open anything for you but they will give you a wine bottle opener with someone's old ass cork in it. One other group in the place and they didn't have wine so no telling how old that wine cork was. Kind of gross.I won't go back here...many other places to try.

by Nick H.

It's just not a very comfortable environment, which is key for a hookah lounge.  Way too small and crowded.I'm not going to pretend to rate the hookah because I'm a clueless white male.I love the music videos though.