Hookah Cafe

by Ethan C.

I traveled from the Upper West Side specifically to this hookah bar last Saturday night with three of my friends who were visiting and under 21. Strangely enough, we were carded harder at the door than at most bars. Once we were in, we were seated in back in a great hookah bar environment, dim lighting, music, comfortable couches, etc. The shisha was VERY expensive ($20 for one person, $30 for two or more), but I'll have to admit it was the best hookah I've ever smoked. We had one mango and one lemon, both were really flavorful and lasted for over 2 hours. We ordered some hummus, which was excellent, and they were very persistent about changing our coals, probably every 10-15 minutes, which was sweet. Our waiter brought over a cup of bubble solution and a bottle with the end cut off so we could blow the smoke into bubbles and watch them float around, it was really fun. The only reason why it's not 5 stars is because of the price.

by Keri M.

Come here if you like throwing money away.  My final bill here cost more than my dinner (at another, nicer restaurant).  This place left a bad taste in my mouth - and I'm not only talking about the tobacco.  My friend and I were told by the waiter that $20 was for one hookah, so we shared it, but then they charged us $30 (the price for 2 hookahs) and accused us of being confused.  This middle eastern restaurant does not subscribe to American traditions of clarity and consumer "is always right".  I felt like I was back in Egypt - where if you get taken for a ride you have to suck it up b/c you're in their territory.  On top of that, we were charged $6 for "service" - a charge we did NOT get notice of on the menu or by our "waiter".   Despite these ridiculous prices, they wouldn't take our credit card - you have to have cash.lThe tobacco was kind of harsh so the bf and I asked for water.   instead of tap, they brought us a bottle of water that they charged us $4 for!!!  As for the rest of the experience, they play funky middle eastern/arabic music, which is cool.  But I sat facing a wall full of licenses, pictures of the owner's son, and 3rd grade artwork by (I presume) this son.  So, I didn't feel like I got a good atmosphere experience.  I would never go back here again and would recommend anyone against going.BTW:  I want to correct what other reviewers have said: THEY DO NOT REFILL YOUR SHISHA.  They refill the charcoal.

by Kaitlyn M.

I have been here twice now, and I don't see myself running back here any time soon.  The shisha is defiantly top notch, however, the pricing is just insane, one hookah and some appetizers ran me something like 65 bucks, not to mention the food was defiantly not worth it.  The atmosphere was neither chill or rocking, but rather more like I was smoking hookah in my basement, which I can do at home for a buck a bowl, so it seems that I got cheated a little.  Also, they only take cash which is a little annoying and the guy doing the coals was defiantly not on top of it.Now before you read this and say, just another girl not knowing what she is talking about on this stuff, I spent a year working as a hookah waitress and bouncer at a very large hookah bar in Denver, so, maybe not a total expert but I know the service I got here would have not flied where I have worked.If money is not an object and you like really good shisha, this place is good, otherwise, I am sure there is a better place.

by Stella S.

This place is good for groups. Their food is very good, shisha nice,poeple very nice and friendly. Someone comes to change the top of your shisha every 10 minutes so it will continue to burn which is very nice. The owner of the place makes you feel confortable. He eats at the same time as you, has a shisha and a the at the same time.There could be more light and the decoration could be better as well.

by Samantha S.

I love coming here because its well hidden and as a result doesn't attract the wrong type of crowd. Don't come here primarily for food however since it specializes strictly in appetizers. The vibe is laid back and the staff is primarily family although the last time I went there were some new staff. The different flavors are great and you can sit there for hours with a hookah for two with a friend. I enjoy the sage tea and the attentive staff.Come here if you just want to chill with a group of friends but try and get here early to ensure you get a place to sit in this relatively small space.

by Mike K.

Sure, the location isn't hip and the vibe isn't crazy - but if you want a mildly festive, yet chill evening spent with friends, this is the ticket!Having been to many hookah / shisha venues in NYC, I can say that these guys have the best tasting, longest-hitting, smoothest hookah on the block. It's rather pricey at $20 dollars a pop but you're guaranteed two hours of non-stop, in your face fruit flavored pleasure.Most importantly, they are open until the wee hours of the morning - closing at either 4 or 6AM. Call them to check. This makes it the ideal place to crash/sober up after a long night of debauchery.

by Jesse M.

Hookahs, and Scores..What could be bad?Its right next door...

by jay h.

Smoking is bad for you, but it tastes like candy!!!!About 20 some-odd flavors and it's good quality.  It is a little pricey but it did it's job and got me hookah high.  This shit is weird...I felt like I was in college again.

by Lauren L.

This place may be a bit overpriced, but their tobacco is probably the best I've had and Hookah Cafe has completely spoiled me from smoking at any other shisha bar. Their flavor combinations are all unique and delicious, and the staff is attentive with the coals and cleaning the bowl. When you can, definitely go for the mixed combinations of flavors.It's a pretty small space that probably isn't the most edgy or hip, but it's comfortable with random decorations ranging from the owner's children's drawings to ironic 'no smoking' signs. The mint tea goes very well with the hookah (don't let it steep too long or else it becomes super bitter). It's probably not the best place to have large groups because space is a little limited, I'd say a party of 3 or 4 would be an ideal number here. The environment is very chill, the patrons are mostly laidback, and the music generally goes with the theme of the place. This is one of the few places I can truly spend hours upon hours at. Time literally flies by when you're here, I once stayed from 11PM to nearly 4AM without even registering that nearly 5 hours had passed.My only issue with this place is that they are cash only and the surrounding area is completely bereft of ATMs, well that's a lie, they have an in house ATM right outside their door but I hate getting charged $3.

by Alexander P.

I live a few blocks away, and I have been here once and refuse to come back. The space is alright, however I came up with the great idea of checking out the local Hookah bar with a bunch of friends from out of town while we had some time to kill. We went in ordered a couple of Hookah's we were maybe 10 or so people, and two of the girls did not smoke. Anyways, they made a big commotion about them not smoking and not buying anything, it kind of spoiled the time we spent there, because no one wanted to make these girls unhappy. We ended up leaving before the hookahs even came, and they wanted to charge us for 10 beers as well. Long story short is that it was a very unfriendly place, and I refuse to go back. Probably deserves 3 stars however I am giving it one because of my experience.