Cozy Cafe
“The hookah is smooth and pleasing, and the staff is more than willing to change your coals.”
“I always recommend the "Tito Special" and a pitcher of sangria, as well as the hummus and pita, followed by baklava.”
“As we were sitting, watching the projection display music videos sync'd to the music throughout the restaurant speakers, the music suddenly changed and a belly dancer appeared.”
Cozy Cafe
Takes Reservations: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I'm not a huge hookah fan, but my newyorker friend took us here noting it was his fav spot. There's a one drink per person minimum and 1 hookah between two people. There's music and tv on that enhance the ethnic ambiance, and the viagra hookah is definitely the way to go! Weird name, but what it is: the shisha is put in an actual pineapple which keeps it extra moist, tastes sweet, and hits ultra smooth.
Initially, I was not sure what to expect looking from the outside in. Theres a small little seating set up and then stairs that lead to something that resembles a basement. Once I walked through the doors, I fell in love. Its got a lounge feel…decorated with a look that makes me think middle eastern. The furniture could probably use some touch ups…but that may take away from the comfort, so it might be best left alone. There's a tv that plays videos…at the time the videos didn't coordinate with what was actually playing…but they seemed to compliment each other in a strange way. The music was a good variety. I actually visited this place once on a Saturday night and again on a Sunday afternoon. They played hiphop to synth-y rnb to a variety of edm. All old and new. Obviously music is a big factor in my hookah experience…ha!
ABOUT THE ACTUAL HOOKAH EXPERIENCE (so you can skip my ramblings if you wish)
Hookah prices are good, in my eyes. We ordered a special that included a pineapple head as well as three flavors mixed for $25. They have a nice variety of flavors, as well. Some premixed..some that you can customize by mixing with other flavors yourself.
There are a few rules though…only 2 people per hookah and each person must order a drink as well. We all ended up getting beers (they serve alcohol) which were about $6/ea. While I don't understand the 2 person per hookah thing – seeing that a pineapple holds a lot of shisha, plenty for 4 – I wasn't exactly upset because that meant more hookah for each person 🙂
The boss lady seems bad ass, fyi, don't mess with her. I saw her kick a few people out. They have security here…but not the kind of security that's stands around all weird…they blend in. Enough to make you comfortable but also enough to keep folks in line.
Overall, I had a great experience here and will re turn during my next trip to the city. 🙂
No thanks, run away, come again… never.
This place has pushy staff, terrible blaring music, steep prices (I mean I know I'm in NYC but if you're going to super up charge your drinks, why up charge mediocre shisha?) and a sketch-tastic atmosphere I hope to forget.
To sit down here they require you buy 1 hookah per 2 people. They have a one drink per person minimum too. My friend was luckily a bit of a haggler or else we would have had to pay a bit more and get shoved into trying some sort of awful deal they were pushing on us. We had 7 people, only 4 were smoking… makes sense to have three full-sized hookahs, right?
Anyhow, after $65 in hookahs + 1 round of drinks later (ranging from $6-$12 each) we then discover its cash only. Luckily between all of us we had enough but yikes! Not cool. Who carries loads of cash on them in the city? Not me.
Dear friends, avoid this place at all costs.
this was dangerously close to being a 2-star review, but the awesomeness of the owner gets a star in itself.
things started off great, service was fast and very friendly. waitress moved us to a better location without us even having to ask. she also was quick and nice about replacing the rotten wine i was served.
the drinks and hookah are average, ambiance is cool. the hookah was not pulling very well at first, but after 2 rounds we got it together and all was well.
until…we ordered our third round and declared it our last by asking for the bill once the last round arrived. which imo is not uncommon. despite the fact we were still smoking and had full drinks the waitress was up our ass about leaving saying the table is reserved. LIES. if we never asked for the check what would she have done? her response was it usually takes people ten min to round up after receiving the bill. bulllll. we had the next group hovering over us. i overheard the other waiters saying the next group were the friends of the waitress.
on our way out, the owner said goodbye and said "come back soon" or something like that, to which my friend took the opportunity to unload his fury.
She responded favorably towards us and insisted we stay and have a bottle of wine and another hookah on the house. and since we don't turn down free things we took took her up on it. she made it obvious she really cares about the customers and that the service we received was unacceptable. i appreciated that, but the damage was pretty much done.
I had a good time at the Cozy Cafe. The hookah didn't have a lot of flavor, and the staff wasn't very attentive. I don't remember seeing them much after we were seated. So as far as service goes, it was almost nonexistent. The atmosphere is fun! It's easy to mingle with he people sitting around you, and I thought it was an awesome laid-back, chill experience. The prices were high, but you sit for awhile, so I think the prices make sense. This place is laid back, maybe too laid back for a business, but I think you'll have a good time. Check out the pictures because they are very telling! The place was somewhat divey.
Nobody that knows anything about good hookah can hate on this place. BEST. HOOKAH. IN. MANHATTAN.
I'm not sure when I first stated attending this place, but I've been going for years now. Tito is the man and always hooks me up. Considering how expensive hookah is in Manhattan, they really don't overcharge you, and its high quality. The tobacco is the best, and the hookahs work really well and last a long time.
The atmosphere is a bit much, and wandering in at 3AM while intoxicated into a dark middle eastern abyss can be creepy to some, but I just love it!
This place is the shit. A favorite of mine in a city full of whack bars.
In summary… Epic Fail.
If you really want all the details, read on…
The evening started out in a very nice direction with dinner at Awash on 6th street. I've always been a fan of Ethiopian food, and my date seemed to be enjoying it too, her first time eating injira and with her hands…
Finishing up, we were thinking of places to go next, and I suggested Hookah! I thought of a few places, like Karma and Sultana. Then I realized there was a hookah spot on first street that I'd never been to. I suggested that, and we headed off.
Arriving to cozy, the place was pretty empty, and I remembered liking the space. I had only ever walked in before. As we looked for a spot, all the tables were empty. They mentioned they were expecting a big party, but then said, well here why not take this table here.
Great, we sit down, and order drinks – a passion champagne and sam adams. I also ordered a hookah. You have apple flavored right? Sure. He mentioned we could also get some pineapple thing, and you'll enjoy unlimited refills. Sure, fine. I didn't know what the pineapple was all about, but he seemed friendly so I was fine with the upsell.
Out comes a our hookah and drinks, and we start hitting the smokes. I've never been a proper smoker, but I do enjoy hookah now and then. This one was tasty. I noticed that the head of the hookah which is usually a metal dish was actually a pineapple on this one, so that must be what he was talking about. After about half hour he came over and asked if we wanted a refill. We did and he went and replaced the coals, and brought it back. Off to the races again!
Another half hour later, and he replaced the tobacco again, meanwhile the place was starting to fill up fast. Good thing we got here early.
While we enjoyed talking, we watched some good videos of Rihanna and Pitbull. They also played some DJs I really liked. Overall I thought the place was pretty sexy, and commented that it felt like a den of sin where some sort of back door deals would be done, and all the while no one asks any questions! We checked Yelp and were surprised that the rating was only 2.5 stars. We would soon find out why.
As a nice evening moves towards great, sometimes you lose your new york edge. Like the calm before a storm, you let your guard down because you think you've found a gem of a place. Then you have to learn the hard way…
As if out of nowhere, the guy who had been fairly friendly throughout the evening came by and brought the check. I smiled and said thank you and left it on the table. I was only half done with my beer afterall. We went back to talking…
About ten minutes later he came back over, explained that they're getting full and would we please pay the bill. I'm going to order another beer I explained, once I finish this one. Oh he responded and walked away. Surprised, we both commented on how rude the guy was, but we ignore him. I think we commented though that perhaps that might explain why they have a low rating on yelp.
Another ten minutes go by, and then the hostess woman comes over. She then says we'll have to pay the bill. I look up surprised. I'd like a refill on my hookah, actually. Sorry she explains, but you can't have another refill. I explained that the gentlemen that we ordered from assured us we would be getting "unlimited" refills. This is where it gets really good.
She started in on some convoluted explanation of how you can have refills of the coals, but not of the tobacco. So when the tobacco runs out, then you can get a refill. Huh? The coals? The coals are the tobacco! I started to get worked up but thought the better of really raising my voice. The whole situation had already embarrassed my date enough. So you're saying we don't get unlimited refills?
It's hard to end a review with a better quote than this one, so I'm gonna let you all enjoy it on it's own. Her last words in response to my question:
"Honey, nothing lasts forever!"
LOL!
The hookahs here are terrible. I've had hookah at a lot of places in NY and in a few countries, and the ones here were just a disappointment. My party of four was required to order 2 hookahs, which is a huge rip off considering the hookahs were around $20 each. We ordered a watermelon and a peach, and we were unable to detect any taste of either. We also got a bucket of five beers ($26). They ran out of Blue Moons which we ordered so we had to choose another. The customer service was also terrible. The whole place felt so dirty with the cloth couches and pillows. Also, they play ghetto music and absurd music videos on the tvs, which didn't match the establishment.