Alembi Hookah Bar

I’ve been to many hookah lounges in Astoria and this one was the best. The owner (I’m assuming was the owner) was sweet and not bothersome. We came around 830 on a Thursday night so it was still empty. The hookah and drinks were much cheaper compared to the others I’ve been to in Astoria. Ok now to the hookah– they offered a milk base (just ask for it) and we had a mix of rose and mint. I’ve been searching for rose everywhere and am so glad this place offered it. This hookah hits hard. A nice thick cloud when you start off. Overall, I was very pleased with the entire experience.

Love. Love. Love.
This place is for one of those nights when you aren’t looking for a crowd or a party. It’s a calm, mostly empty spot but the hookah is amazing. The guy working there (he may be the owner) is eager to please. A standard hookah comes with a freeze pipe and fruit head which is normally extra everywhere else. Drinks are pretty good but the salep (it’s a sort of tea kind of) is our favorite.

Quick review for those who dont want to read alot:
I recommend this hookah spot! We went there on a very busy day– Eid holiday and it was fairly more emptier than other spots. But don’t let that fool you! :) I’m glad we couldn’t find parking on the main steinway hookah strip and found a spot right across from here or we never would have discovered this spot!
–Hookah: the hookah is great! The guys come around and ask how your doing and the hookah as well! Wide variety of flavors. Smooth.
–drinks: are priced fairly! We enjoyed our drinks!
–Music: there is good music playing, but your welcome to putting in your own Playlist with their AUX cord :) a definite plus for us since we wanted to play some hip hop and reggae!
–Appearance of lounge: very nice, clean, and open environment! They also had an outdoor seating area but we went during the colder season so we didn’t get to check it out yet! But I’m sure it’s probably also good!
–Final point: we will definitely return again! Their customer service was great! We went to another Hookah place in steinway once called La Canela, and I just wanted to throw this out there, don’t go there! Come here lol!

I like how its divided into sectiint. No card accepted. Drinks were ok. Guy was very friendly. Hookah was awesome.

My favorite hookah bar. Management and staff are all really friendly. Definitely recommend.

My friend and I decided to go here because our original hookah spot was closed by the city.
We entered the lounge and it was empty and very very warm. The AC was not on (it’s summertime guys !) The décor is typical of a hookah lounge in that area. We were immediately greeted and informed that the AC was not on because everyone has been deciding to sit outside. My friend and I decided to sit outside also.
The outdoor seating area is large and the patio furniture is not stylish but I’m not picky; nicely pruned bushes allowed for some privacy from the neighbors.
The hookah flavors were plentiful and the staff was knowledgable. The hookah was great. I had an iced coffee. It was sooooo good. Loved it. Would go back just for the coffee.

I went here with my cousin on a groupon and was underwhelmed, even with the deal. We went on a friday night and it was pretty dead, even in the late evening.
First of all, it’s located north of astoria blvd on steinway where there isn’t much going on so if you think you’re up for some steinway fun and hookah bar-hopping…this is not the place to go.
Second, as soon as I walked in, I was bombarded with a strong smell of cigarettes. The cigarette smell was so strong I could barely smell hookah and by the time I left, my hair wreaked of it. I’m pretty sure it was the owner/​manager walking around that was smoking in a back doorway instead of doing it outside.
Third, the service was not attentive, even with only 2 other small groups there when I went… a grand total of 7 people distributed among 3 tables and I had to keep getting up to ask for new charcoal or a drink because the manager/​owner and waitress were too busy talking the whole time with their backs towards the whole place.
Some pros:
–the actual décor and set up is really nice, despite being kind of small. In fact, I would say it’s one of the prettier hookah bars in the area
–the groupon allowed for 2 drinks and and a 2 flavor hookah which doesn’t seem like much but they let us order anything at all on the menu (no limitation to only soft drinks or only basic hookah flavors etc)
–the music wasn’t blaring so loud
Overall, I would probably never go again but it has lots of room for improvement

They have great hookahs and comfy furniture. The manager checked if we were having a good time. I would definitely go back. 100% recommended.

My apple hookah tasted like hay mixed with some used Marlboro buds. Takes forever to get coals changed. The 2^nd star added because 1) small outside seating and 2) the guys seem to be trying to please, but I guess don’t know how to get the basics right.

I went to this place recently and they did a great job renovating it. Before the furniture looked dated and now they put in these cool booths and got a new sound system with cool dj lights. They also have live DJs every Friday and Saturday night. I have to say they have stepped it up. I always liked this place but the new look is real cool. It’s a must see.

Hated it. Hookah was nasty. It was 10pm on a Saturday and it was dead. I ordered a drink and they never gave my drink. Supposedly the bartender wasn’t here. the guy said the bartender was coming in 10 min. Never got that drink. The guy was looking at my id as if it was fake. I will not be going back there. don’t recommend this place to anyone.

I’ve been to every single hookah bar on Steinway, and let me just say that Alembi is by far the best, cleanest, and chillest spot. Private booths, great music, great staff (always filling up water and asking if you want drinks). Now they have a bartender, so no reason to go anywhere else. Don’t come hungry, but there are plenty of eating joints around the area. No one is standing over your shoulder. Great to bring a date too! This place and a MUST go to.

OMG… you must try the «Lembi» special hookah. The owner Mo is awesome. We will definitely be back!!!

Very relaxed with nice seating for groups. They have a few sort of beach-​bungalow-​styled seating areas, which feel almost like a private room. The décor is very mish-​moshed– beachy things, then ornate couches, plus laser lights everywhere. Kind of weird, but whatever. Definitely gets smoky in there. Peach flavored shisha was not very good. The hookahs are $ 15 each, which is pretty average.
Points off for the drinks– they were weird, to say the least. You basically just order one of their juices with whatever booze you want in it, and it doesn’t work out too well. My friends both got rum and pineapple or mango juice, and the drinks were watery and bitter and strange tasting. For $ 8 for a little glass, definitely not worth it. My rum & diet coke was fine, but small for the price as well.
So nice ambiance, standard hookah, bad drinks. If only it were BYOB!