Babylon Hookah Lounge

Tremaine Walker

Found this place on google one night after strolling through beautiful NYC. I love a good hookah + martinis + good music and thought this place would be good. Upon arrival, it was difficult to find seating but after waiting 15 mins, I eventually got one. I blatantly told the waitress I’m not buying a bottle to be seated. Either that’s their policy or they just force bottles down your throat. I placed the order for a hookah and an apple martini. I was told I needed to pay upfront. I did. I understand people oftentimes walk out on their bill so no biggie there. The waitress then asked me if I want my change. 🤨 I mean, I just got here, haven’t even sat down properly, and I haven’t even gotten my martini as yet, yet there she was asking if I’d like my change of $24 back. I politely said yes. The hookah came in 5 mins, so thumbs up for the short wait time. This was the worst hookah I’ve ever had and I do hookahs at least twice per week, plus it’s a part of my job description to make them. I chose love 666 + coconut but it tasted like just water. They have different hookah flavors for a reason, that way you can taste and smell your desired flavor. I asked the couple that was seated next to me how their hookah was, and their response was the same. Also, I understand the need to have workers on the floor, but being constantly patrolled will become annoying to anyone. They change the coal every 12-15 mins so that’s a good thing, except, I never got that “high” feeling from it and it had no flavor. The martini wasn’t as good but I’m a mixologist, 🤷🏻‍♀️ therefore, I automatically critique mixed drinks. The music was fine but could’ve been better. Oh! I still didn’t get my change back lol. I asked the young lady 3 times within the space of 2 hours for my change. When she brought it, she opened the cheque book and threw it down on the table with a nasty attitude as though I shouldn’t have asked her for it. 🤨🧐 I shouldn’t even have to ask for it!!!!!!!!! Gratuity was already included in the bill, so please allow the customer to tip whether or not they want to. Truth be told, she would’ve gotten it by just being cool. Anyway, I eventually gave it to another worker. Even if the customer’s change is $1, please bring it back to him/her. Let it be given to you, don’t take nor ask for it! I guess not everyone has good principle. So after being turned off the moment I got in, with the badly overpriced hookah, not-so-good drinks and constantly being patrolled, it wasn’t much of a good night and it’s not a spot I’d recommend but your experience may be different, or even better. I concluded my night at another lounge, and regardless of the drinks not being up to standard, the bartender was warm, honest, and welcoming therefore, she earned a modest tip the correct way. SN: I just read the reviews and I’m not sure how I passed on those but at 1 am when it’s 9 degrees Celsius in NYC, you’d almost not read the reviews of an establishment but rather go to what’s nearby. But yea, never again!

Farah Rodriguez

the services sucks..

Maxwell Lee

There were clearly open tables all around the main room and the back room when a group of 3 of us came in on a Saturday night, so we thought we could just sit down once we were given the hookah. However, you're apparently supposed to wait for the staff to seat you, and the staff were pretty rude to us in telling us this, and then proceeded to make us wait a long time before finally seating us at one of the many open tables.

Carl Smith-Hudson

The treatment I received but the security staff beyond unacceptable. I will never go here again for any reason.