The Mirage

by Mariah C.

Okay, here we go!Used to be The Coffee Tavern back when I was little and it was good.Then it was Fendi's and I hated Fendi's.Then it was The Phoenix and I didn't even bother to try it.NOW it's The Mirage... so my friend and I thought hell, it deserves a chance.  WRONG.  They have hookah which sounds cool, but it's 12 dollars for the "exotic" flavors, like cherry and vanilla... and 10 dollars for the "regular" flavors like fig and walnut... yeah, cause those are real "regular" flavors.... fig and walnut???  It should be popular flavors vs. flavors nobody would ever try... whatever... the point is... the lady who worked there was rude... she had no idea how much things cost and it was student discount night and the discount was basically exotic flavors for $10.00.... which I don't consider much of a discount cause that's the price the hookah should be to begin with... anyways, the owner was rude and not very friendly... Sorry I can't review the food or the coffee or even the hookah, my friend and I just left and walked over to Bake and Broil.*************But wait!  I went back and this time, the owner was super nice.  He made me a special tea and the hookah was 10 bucks for his special house blend and he was very attentive about changing the coals and he gave us free pretzels.  I felt sooo bad because I just Yelped this place and gave it a one star and man, it just goes to show you that you really have to give some places a second chance.

by Jason A.

This is a very homey type hookah lounge and cafe. I went here a couple Thursdays ago for an open-mic night where one of my friends performed on his guitar in front of a very bohemian type group. He didn't immediately start the night, so I smoked some hookah outside while waiting for his turn to come up on stage. I remember the hookah was very reasonable and lasted quite a bit. I sat next to a Long Beach cop and the owner, who were chatting over a hookah.Apparently, this particular cafe, I overheard from the owner talking to the cop, has been around some 50-some odd years, though probably not always a hookah lounge. I had a turkey sandwich which was decent. I also got a blended mocha. The good thing is that they take credit card, which is surprising considering this is a very mom-and-pop style store. The actual cafe is more rugged and probably more authentic than your typical hookah bar. There are artifacts from the owner's background that decorate the place, which is nice...carpets, tapestries, and brass items all over the place.I recommend swinging by here on their open-mic night just to add that additional zing to an otherwise quaint coffee/hookah shop.

by Sandy B.

I have got to agree with the other reviews because the Mirage is really chill and kick back place to be with friends. Really, it has hookah, coffee and snackage. Plus the owners are truely and genuinely nice. My friend used to work here and I would come all the time and they are always the sweetest guys you will ever meet. They make sure your hookah is always top notch. If you havent gone, you should check it out for yourself. The prices are bad at all, because normally hookah would be in your $20 range. (based on my limited experience).

by John G.

Overall, The Mirage is the prime spot for relaxing and kicking back a stressful week.  Bring a couple of friends, pull up some seats in the outdoor patio, heat up the hookah, and let the greater times come rollin.  I enjoy the atmosphere of Mirage--it helps clear my mind and regain spiritual consciousness.Visit this place on a Thursday, Friday, or Sunday night for maximum entertainment.And also, a group of friends and I hold an open mic at this location.  Drop by for some serious entertainment and good vibes:  http://www.myspace.com...

by Jessica S.

Before I start this review, I must confess something. I love coffee shops decorated with antiquey home furniture. With that said, I like Mirage alot. Went here last night to watch my boyfriend do some stand-up comedy at an open mic night. It was actually pretty crowded and they have a decent sized stage and a room full of seating, it's especially well sized for a coffee shop, for goodness sake. They also have hookah with plenty of choices as far as the flavors. I read in the review before me that Jason A. smoked hookah with some of our city's finest LBPD, and that's who was smoking when I was there too....strange. This cafe is different from usual cafes in that it is surprisingly big. There are several seating areas in about three rooms that you can sit and relax and read without anyone or anything bothering you. I love that. It seems like it would be a great place to study or just hang out and waste some time away. They also have your usual cafe drinks at reasonable cafe prices. I would always rather buy my vanilla latte here, rather than at Starbucks and support local businesses. DJ Zenway that runs the Friday night open mic is really very nice and organized; as well as the owner, who is constantly walking around making sure everyone is good. I like this place, it's like your friendly neighborhood coffee shop that has hookah as a bonus! And parking has never been an issue any of the times I have come.Also, if you're there for comedy open mic, say hi to my boyfriend, you'll know him by the beard and the following joke I helped him write: "My girlfriend and I are so comfortable with each other, we've been together for four years and there's nothing we wouldn't share. For example, last night we were changing the sheets and she said can you grab the brown ones down from the cabinet? And I said, yeah or I could shit on the white ones...." Makes me laygh every time. True story.

by glenn a.

Finally a local spot that you can hookah. The last time I knew a spot somewhat similar was Arabian Nights. Well as you have already read and if not known. This place has gone through a couple changes through the years. From a local coffee hangout, studying spot, and now a hookah joint. The area is a decent place where you can walk out at night which is always a perk. Parking kinda gets tricky depending if its packed or not. Not to mention the Baklava, is pretty good if you happen to have some. Homemade always makes things feel homey. Well the interior is very welcoming. The owners are mad chill. The price is okay for something close by. This is the spot if you wanna spark a random conversation with locals. Then again if their in study mode you gotta respect that. LoL.

by matt n.

The managers are actually great people, very welcoming, my friends and talk with them from time to time.  In fact there's this awesome open mic that pops around over there, and plus it's an awesome venue spot with good stage and decorations all over the place.I'm not sure of its history of past owners (other than stuff I have read from other people),  but I work at a small business and I understand how hard it is to maintain one.  So I am definitely down in supporting them, you won't find me in some corporate coffee shop.Their coffee is good for what you pay for, I especially go there for ice blended drinks.  The fact that it's also a hookah bar makes it even better, it's showed me how social smoking out on a hookah can be in such an attractive outdoor spot (and all i usually spark are cigs, heh).  Haven't tried the food, I go there for the coffee, hookah and good vibes.Bottom line:  I love the atmosphere.ALSO, you can rent a mailbox slot there, if you're looking for one hehe.

by Ryan T.

I discovered this place a month after they opened, and have been a regular ever since. Mirage is a place to escape the atmosphere of all the trendy hookah joints. Here you can have conversations, because the music isn't blearing, and there are no frat boys to stare you down. There are real people here, who have real conversations. The best part about it is that the managers take care of you. Alex and Mike treat everyone that comes through the door as family. They have regular entertainment here, and if you can catch it on a good night, the atmosphere is electric. Cozy, comfortable, and reasonably priced. Mirage is my "Cheers" because everyone knows your name, and you can actually talk to strangers. Drop by some time and smoke the peace pipe with me.

by valerie m.

I love going to this spot on a lazy evening to just read a book and smoke. I highly recommend the house blend hookah, good price and taste. The owner always makes sure you are okay and the free wi-fi is an extra bonus!