The Hookah Cafe

08/12/2008 Posted by rawdizawg

Picture this...Monday night in New York, got a friend in town on his last night around 11PM and we wanna have a quick smoke. 4 of us go to Hookah Cafe, knowing they don't serve alcohol, but it's the closest place coming from uptown. 2 hookahs, 3 guava drinks (8oz. bottles max) and 1 mint tea. We stay for about 45 minutes and get the bill...$92!!!! FOR REAL??? I came knowing each hookah was going to be $20/each. As if this isn't bad enough (being Egyptian and paying .50/cents for it in Egypt or $6-7 in Astoria), this mutha Fing owner decided that if 2 people share a sheesha, it becomes $30/each. REALLY??? When I confronted him on the ridiculous bill, he said "ya, I can't have 10 people sitting here smoking one hookah". OH, so does that mean if 3 people want to share one, it becomes $40 each? Apparently yes. Just keep adding $10 per person, which ends up being less and less tobacco per person. WHAT A GENIUS F-ING BUSINESS MIND! Oh, but he won't let you forget that he cures his own tobacco and it's the best sh*t in the world. Oh, so they also put 18% gratuity on top of the bill+tax. Here's the bill: 2 x Hookah = $60 (LOLOLOLOL) 4 drinks = $12 TOTAL = $72 + $6 (8.375% tax) = $78 + $14 ( 18% gratuity) = $92 GET THE F**K OUTTA HERE! First of all, let me be the one to decide if you deserve 18%!! You would think that on Monday night, you might try to entice your few customers with some specials, or a good deal, so they come back on a weekend and give you even more business. No, this guy wants to knock you over the head one time and just take what he can now. F-ing disgusting. Avoid this place at all costs!

Pros: Nothing

Cons: Everything

04/10/2008 Posted by QueenofNargiles

I went there on my honeymoon and tried very many places in NY and I mean many. This place is absolutely hands down the best! I have pretty high standards when it comes to smoking shisha and i was not disappointed there. The atmosphere was great, seats were comfortable, decor was awesome and the owner was wonderful. Hes a very sweet down to earth guy with a lot of respect. Cant wait until I visit NY again for that reason!!

Pros: THUMBS UP! Great place to chill and smoke

Cons: Thumbs down for price at that time, kinda pricey but in ny it was worth it, you cant win them all.

01/23/2008 Posted by Melodyia

The staff and owner is very friendly. The hookah flavor is the best out of all those hookah places I had tried. Also, their stuff grape leaves are delicious! I order it every time I there. Other might complain it is pricey than... why do you still go there o.0? Probably they like it that is why. It is a bit price but, quality equal price which I believe is well just.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Non- just a tad pricey for college student

01/17/2008 Posted by hamzahookah6021

hookah cafe is the bomb i love it and the owner is down to earth he is a very nice man i hope him luck

Pros: thumbs up

10/17/2007 Posted by miss_k

The person who was attending us was a woman of Indian or Arabic descent (I believe she was the only woman working there). She treated us the rudest that I have ever been trteated anywhere and I am not picky when it comes to service, nor am I the type to ever return food when it's wrong, complain to a manager, etc. But this was absolutely unacceptable because it was just so obvious. I am also never one to use the racism card, but I believe that's what happened here. There were three groups there that night including us. The other 2 groups appeared to be of Indian or Arbic descent, while I am Hispanic (but look like a caucasian American) and my companion is a caucasian American. To start off, the woman would not come to replace our coals which had burnt out, but was very attentive and helpful to the other 2 groups. When we asked her if she could replace them and air out the smoke, she told us "I cannot do it, I am not a man, it's hot and I will burn myself, and the man is not here." RIGHT AFTER WE SAW HER DO IT FOR THE OTHER TWO GROUPS SEVERAL TIMES. We had to call over someone else (who was very nice) to replace our coals and air out the smoke. In the end, she also overcharged us on the gratuity. My companion paid it, but pointed it out to her and we walked out. The manager ran after us and met us on the corner and profusely apologized. All the other people there, especially the manager, were incredibly nice and helpful, but the woman really was just intentionally and unforgiveably rude. Also, the place is grossly overpriced. Please do not go here!

Pros: Nice manager

Cons: Horrible service, overpriced

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/30/2007 Posted by ms_leah

Me and three of my friends went here on a Sat. night and it was great. We were seated immediatley, and given a menu to choose which flavors we wanted for the hookah. It was $30 for two people, so four of us got 2 hookahs. You can smoke forhowever long you want and the place is opened until 5 sometimes 5:30 a.m. The service was great, they always changed the coal as soon as they saw it was burning out. The atmospher was also good, the lighting was very dim, the couches were very comfy, and the place was decorated Moroccan style. The hookahs had great flavor, and this was a very relaxing experience for my friends and I. Definatly reccomend it!

Pros: atmosphere, service, flavored hookahs

Cons: very limited food menu

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/13/2007 Posted by rvjersey88

Sorry this is not a review just a question because i can't seem to find an answer anywhere. I was wondering if the price of $20 for 2 people is for 1 coal or does the $20 cover as many coals as you want. So in other words, lets say we wanted 2 coals, would it end up costing $40 or would it only be $20.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/25/2007 Posted by shamsion

This place has the best service . The owner is very hospitable and always there to oversee the smooth operation of his business. The employees are friendly and professional who are very keen and intuitive to our needs. The food is great and the hookah is delicious. I love this place!

Pros: everything

Cons: none

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

01/09/2007 Posted by stareyes

awesome place to go just for some GOOD SMOOTH FLAVORFUL hookah! the place is small but most are in the city..The place looks very moccoran and is very relaxing...the dim lighting is perfect too..it really gets you in the mood to just lay back on the soft pillows and smoke. The staff is very polite and chill as well. I went there on a sunday night around 2am and even though they were closing in 30minutes they let me and my friend stay and keep on smoking til we were done without any preasure and we left around 3am! A Great place to go and smoke Hookah and just chill! I used to go to horus but after having hookah here its much better and the staff is nicer. Love you guys!!!

Pros: amazing hookah, friendly staff

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/07/2006 Posted by mslovely99

This hookah is the best I've ever been. The only potential for complaint would be it's small space and no alcohol, so get there early. But they make up for it so so well with everything else. Some of the best tobacco, very flavorful, and they refill the hot coals without you having to even ask. The food is wonderful and very decently priced (we shared chicken sharma $14, enough for two people). Hookah is decently priced as well, $10-20 depending on how many flavors you want. With complementary sage tea, it was an awesome experience. The staff are friendly, fun and courteous. Look for Alex, he'll teach you how to blow smoke Os. And best yet? since they don't serve alcohol, they stay open til 6 in the mornin', great for post drinking chill out sessions. I LOVE YOU HOOKAH CAFE!

Pros: Price, Food, Service

Cons: Small space

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful