Best Hookah Bars In Los Angeles
Los Angeles was one of the first major cities to ban indoor smoking, which in turn caused a chain reaction across the nation. If forcing LA nicotine fiends out to the curb regardless of weather wasn't bad enough, the city is now restricting where people can smoke outside. What's a smoker to do? Hookah might be the answer. Hookah bars, cafes and lounges are bringing smokers back inside in a sort of "smokers' rights" reprieve. Not quite mainstream yet, hookah has a broad range in price and quality and if you're not experienced, you can have an underwhelming experience with a hefty price tag. But you can take out some of the guess work by checking out these top five hookah bars in Los Angeles.
Gypsy Cafe
940 Broxton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 824-2119
www.gypsycafe.com
Easily one of the most popular spots to get your hookah fix in Los Angeles, Gypsy Cafe has been around for years and draws Westwood residents and other residents of LA to its exciting atmosphere. Offering a huge list of flavors to choose from, you can also mix and match to create your own flavor here. In addition to the flavors like ambrosia, spiced chai, blueberry muffin, white peach, sour apple, rose, lemon, cherry, jasmine, vanilla, mint, melon dew pineapple and about 30 others, Gypsy Cafe also offers specialty hookahs. From the "Girls Night Out" with pink, cherry and strawberry flavors to the "Ice Ice Baby" with watermelon freeze, white peach, mint and a cold ice base, and the Miami Nights with tangerine dream, white peach and blue mist, you can't go wrong with anything you get here. The atmosphere is great, and the hookah flavors are tasty. What's even better is you can grab some delicious Mediterranean food to go along with it all. From chicken kabobs to traditional hummus and everything else you might expect from the cuisine, it's simply delicious. The restaurant/hookah lounge also offers a patio for you to sit back, relax and watch people walk by .
Habibi Cafe
923 Broxton Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 824-2277
www.habibicafe.com
Also located in the Westwood Village with Gypsy Cafe, is Habibi Cafe. Aside from offering tasty Mediterranean cuisine, coffee, and desserts, Habibi Cafe offers patrons a chance to press their lips to the hookah pipe on a variety of flavors while enjoying the views of Westwood. Sitting back on the patio, customers can choose from a variety of hookah options including cherry, mint, mango, strawberry, abu samra, pina colada, hookah cola, apple, mixed fruit and many more.
The Candy Bar Hookah Shoppe
6208 W. 87th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 670-0708
www.thecandybarhookahshoppe.com
Quality hookahs with fruity and exotic favors is what you'll find at The Candy Bar Hookah Shoppe. Not just a vapor boutique but also a comfy lounge with stunning water pipes, Mya Saray and Sahara Smoke hookahs, e-juices, e-pens and many other products and accessories are available for all your clean smoking needs. A friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Related: Best Cigar Bars in Los Angeles
Ali Mama Cafe
3229 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 668-0856
www.facebook.com/pages/Ali-Mama-Cafe
Ali Mama Cafe may not look like much when you first walk in, but there's more than meets the eye. This Silverlake hideout offers coffee, smoothies and assorted hot and cold beverages to go well with its selection of hookah flavors. For a more intimate lounge, you'll want to head upstairs as well.
Blue Moon Hookah Lounge
1053 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(323) 535-7076
www.bluemoonhookahlounge.net
If you're looking for exotic sophistication, Blue Moon Hookah Lounge has everything you're looking for and more. Sultry lighting, plush seating, beautiful servers, moody music and much more await you at this Downtown LA hookah lounge. Moderately priced with $6.99 refills, the bowls here are great. The lounge turns into a club after midnight and is open until 4am on weekends. Food and beverages are also available. The only downside is that no alcohol is served as it is 18 and over.
Glass Hookah Lounge
646 Martel Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 903-0006
www.glasshookahlounge.com
If you think all hookah bars and cafes are the same, you haven't tried Glass Hookah Lounge. Stylish and modern, this spot uses glass pods and tanks and purified water to maintain healthier smoke inhalation. It also serves an amazing small plate menu that will have you stopping by for breakfast, lunch and dinner whether you smoke hookah or not. While there, enjoy one of Glass Hookah's truly amazing lattes.
Related: City Council Panel Recommends Limits On E-Cigarette Use In Public
Kristine G. Bottone is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
