Kush

I used to come here frequently when I first arrived in New York; when ‘designer décor’ still impressed me. It seemed exotic and adventurous to smoke hookah in an upscale lounge with live bongo music. The high drink prices seemed fair; the controlled superficiality seemed sparkling; the hopelessly boring New Yorkers seemed ‘with it’. At the time, I figured this is what its all about.
Nowadays I’d view this kind of place as a lame joke. If you want real hookah, Middle Eastern music; and genuine bellydancing– go to a real hookah joint in a seedy, menacing, Latin part of town.
Places like ‘Kush’ are strictly for fleecing the tourists and entry-​level admins.

I’m heartbroken that Kush closed down! I threw my birthday party here last year, and though the private room next to the dance floor cost a pretty penny, we had a blast and had no problems getting all of our friends in. I will always remember this place fondly.

I threw my boyfriend 29^th birthday at Kush and they really out did them selves and gave us the royal treatment. When we first came in the Manger came and walked us to the our table and the table that I was hoping to get also. The Place is a little tight but perfect to party. They also checked on us every so often to see if we needed anything and to clean up our area.
Bottle service is also reasonably priced also, I got three bottles for almost $ 480 with tip, at most places I have spent up to 1,500 for 3 bottles do this was pretty cheap, compared to other place in the area.
The DJ played hip hop and Top 4o which was awesome for partying! All my guest and I had an awesome time.

Went here on a rainy saturday night for a friend’s bday party.
Pre-​gamed somewhere else but came here with enough composure not to be belligerent. Had a minor hiccup at the door but everything came through smoothly. Our beautiful and friendly server made sure everyone was taken care of. Single caveat I had for the night was that I couldn’t find the dance floor, but maybe perhaps it was because I felt the room spinning already. Also, we ended up dancing on the chairs and by our tables. I can’t remember the music much but I guess it was good since everyone was shaking their butts.
I ended the night early, by my standards, and had no idea how I came home to reach my bed. All-​in-​all, the hazy night was a blur but I do wish I remembered some of it.
Perhaps next time…

My cousin and I decided to go to Kush after having a great dinner at Boca Chica on 1^st and 1^st (review to follow!) Considering that my cousin had had a good experience at this lounge on a date, in the past, we thought it’d be a great place to follow our great dinner.
We arrived and found out it was Reggae night. Whatever– we love reggae so we decided to stay and have a drink. The place was still a little dead (it was about 11PM on a Thursday night) so we immediately headed to the bar.
I had a Bacardi and coke and my cousin had a grey goose and cranberry. I opened a tab (because I thought we were going to stay longer than we did) but we ended up leaving after the two drinks. When I got my check it was $ 31.20!!! At first I thought «WTF» but then I realized they added $ 5.20 gratuity. However, after doing the math (because they do not break down the charge on the receipt) I realized she charged us $ 13 a drink. It’s absolutely ridiculous! Because they were not THAT good.
Either this bartender (Olga) freakin’ robbed me or this lounge thinks they sell liquid gold. Mind you, the drinks were TINY (about 6 ounces).
I will never go back to this lounge– on principal. If you do, DO NOT open a tab.
1 star for décor– which is pretty interesting.

Nice loungy atmosphere to take a group of friends for a great night of dancing and drinking. I am a fan due to the fact that Kush isn’t a club or a bar. It is somewhere in the middle, with room to walk around, chat, and dance. The DJ was playing a good mix of music as well (house/​top hits).
I also love the fact that there is hookah here and it is actually pretty good! Only a bit pricey and same goes for the drinks… Other than that I had an absolutely fantastic time! Great place for a Saturday night :)

Price: N/​A
Highlight: Music
A dark lounge/​club with a separate bar area more leaning towards dance club at 1am on a Saturday night. The music was good and the bathrooms accessible. Bouncers were not a hassle.

Came here for a friend’s birthday. She reserved an area for her guests. The music was great, the hookah was good, the décor is really pretty. It’s dark in here, so when I had to make my way to the ladies room, the usual creepy dudes who try to pounce on girls who stray from the pack were almost sinister in the shadows lol.
I didn’t see a dancefloor. Matter of fact, the entire place looked like a dancefloor, it was that packed. And there were alot of girls and (sadly) guys waving their drinks around, some of them dropping them on the floor. smh. I had a great time with my friends, but if there wasn’t a reserved area, I def wouldn’t come here.

Decent, but pricey spot. There’s a $ 10 cover for guys (if you read my other reviews, you’ll know I’m not a fan of cover. At all.)
I’m from Queens, so the concept of getting a hookah upwards of $ 25 is ridiculous to me when I can get it for $ 5 to $ 10 on Steinway any night of the week.
The décor is nice. They’ve got a decent sized dancefloor, nothing too crazy. Music was pretty good, too. The hookah was strong, but not so flavorful. If you want a table, either call in a reservation for the middle area, or get there early to get one at the front bar.
Worth checking out, but not worth making a regular spot out of.

The Décor is sexy as hell. The music is pretty awesome.
I cant deal with a bar that serves $ 14 cosmos tho… seriously, its JUST a cosmo.
Then Got stuck talking to a guy who loved the sound of his own voice while he sipped a Sex on the Beach… I didnt even know guys drank that.
The hookah is not that great. The crowd feels more bridge and tunnel than local.
And the poor guys at this bar get the shaft– Cover charges for men only.

So, I think I need to give this place another try. The hookah was good for a bit, actually great, but then it went downhill. I like the atmosphere and set up — it’s not dingy or just too much, it’s on point. I liked the music that night even though we were there for some private event somehow it was ok for us to be there. I liked their hummus which had a bit of cardomen but mixed with hummus it was interesting. Good happy hour deals. Not sure if I’d pay regular price for this.

This chic, chill wine bar had some awesome house music the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I like the décor and that it’s not too-​too dark. The drinks are strong. The hookah seemed to be on the more expensive side of life, but it’s a good place to catch up. I liked that the music was loud but that it was possible to hear my friends.

Came here on Friday for a bachelorette party. We had originally had dreams of getting into The Box but 9 drunk girls didn’t get very far with its strict door policy. Whatever.
So down the street we went to Kush who welcomed us with open arms. We were given a private table area and our own dedicated waitress. The owner and staff were extremely accommodating and added to the fun of the night.
I’m not the biggest Hookah fan but the other girls loved it. I was a big fan of the flash back early rap music though. Good stuff.

Came here Friday night for a night out on the town. We arrived around 10PM or so and there was no cover charge. The place was pretty empty and we headed straight to the bar. We all ordered a specialty cocktail which was tasty.
The place started filling up and the music wasn’t too bad. Nobody was dancing but that didn’t really stop me and my friends. There are 2 areas, each with a bar and then there’s a sitting area in the middle… I guess for table service.
Didn’t really get a chance to spend too much time since a friend had too much to drink too quickly and we ended up leaving earlier than planned. Would come back to try some hookah.

Points all around. Making me check my tiny 4×4 murse, when there were ladies running around in there with semi-​suitcases slung over their shoulders wasn’t hot. But, other than that, no complaints! Fast, good service, Sapporo (eh…but whatever) that wasn’t super crazy expensive for that area, and stiff cocktails for my ladies. Great music… lots and lots of grinding, grooving and moving. Gay boys sucking face, and straight couples doing the same? 1 star and another star.
However, what topped it off:
I’m getting my murse from coat check, and the bouncer sees me, gives me a HUGE smile and says «Oh, you! You leaving?» I reply «Yeah, but it was fun!» he answers «Oh, I know you had fun. And those girls with you did too. You’re the guy with the moves!»
I for a second was a bit embarrassed, but then just smiled, said thanks, and walked out to hail a cab home, happy as can be! Thx Kush for not disappointing.

Kush just makes me think of Jerry Maguire (granted that was Cush — BIG DIFFERENCE, UM HELLLLLO), but I can get around a silly name if the place is good –
Truth be told, Kush ain’t bad. Friend’s birthday party gave me a reason to hit up this place. I waltz on over solo, just ’cause that’s my style and yup, get hit with the cover even when I mention my friend’s party. I roll my eyes but pay it ’cause it’s messed up not to go to your friend’s party just ’cause of cover… But then again, why are they charging the best looking guy in the house cover? What the hay Kush?
(Forgive me if I come off cocky, but I’d done like 3 crunches that day, a personal best, so I was feelin’ pretty hawt. Yeah in yo face Situation!)
Kush is supposedly Moroccan and what not, but I just saw spongey wall treatments amidst dark amber lighting, not quite the mystical journey to a land far, far away some have made it out to be. I will admit some of the light fixtures are pretty bangin’, so I just drank and looked at those instead of the ladies drunkenly gyrating (of which there were a not-​so-​bad amount). Also noted that a Jack and coke cost about 8 bucks and the music was loud enough that it necessitated yelling to catch up with my friends (but what do you expect in a lounge on Saturday night?).
The crowd (or audience I should say since my buddy Kevin and I danced a storm) was adequate and the DJ was nice enough to play Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance twice very close to each other. This would usually be a faux pas, but it’s Lady Gaga and anything Gaga goes over well with this kid. So yes, that was rather enjoyable.
All in all, I had a fun night, so thanks to Kush for containing me!
(Just stop charging all this *motions hands from head downwards over torso while swerving hips* cover!)

Maybe I’ll come back on a night that’s not so crowded.
The logistics of the place is just odd. It felt like a fancy restaurant with people randomly getting up to dance.
Maybe not.

Being a new comer to the New York restaurant scene I was delighted by the atmosphere of this place. Very quiet and welcoming, friendly staff. The menu even has Chicken Samosas but more like the mediterranean kind.
If you are looking for a great place to relax after a hard day in New York, i would recommend Kush lounge.

I have been coming here from the past 2 years and everytime was unique and always a good time. (Always on either a Fri/​Sat Night)
I spent New Years 2009 here, with a great DJ and great staff and an awesome mix of people. The place is not too big so it has that nice comfy loungey feel to it.
The music is different everytime I go, the DJ feels out the crowd and plays whatever gets everyone dancing. I reccoment getting a table and a hookah in the private section with a bunch of your friends to have the best time.

Welcome to the dance, hookah, alcohol fusion bar with some Buddhist décor elements.
You can immediately make out some of the pros and cons of Kush; It’s crowded, but not overpopulated, and the general décor/​setup is very tasteful.
Drinks are priced regularly (~$ 8/​drink) and hookah is on the menu, although there is not a lot of room to sit with it. On that note, I would like to take a moment to protest the peeps who dance drunkenly with a full drink in hand, and kindly ask that people don’t start doing the same with their hookah.
On the negative side, they do charge a cover (at least on the wknd), and the crowd is really hit and miss (for the most part, miss).
If you stay long enough, you will also notice how the DJ starts shuffling through top 40s and only playing 30 seconds of each song. Seems to be a trend now, so can’t complain too much.
Bottom line, Kush is a decent atmosphere to meet up and hang back with some friends. Just don’t dance on the stand!