Came here with my girlfriend to experience a new place and we saw that it was a hookah bar which we did not mind. Ordered a cappuccino for myself, my gf ordered a cinnamon tea plus a sahlab drink which was a white creamy milk type which was really good!! The waiter was very friendly and understood we did not want to do hookah at that time but will next time when we bring more friends with us. All in all, very awesome night mood to hang out with friends and have a hookah smoke and drinks.
Review Source:Staff was hospitable, and this was a good place to relax. I was confused when we first walked in because I saw a lot of older men playing cards, but the younger crowd hangs out in the back room.
I wish this place had a nicer outdoor seating area. I really don't like smoking in a confined room, especially if others start smoking cigarettes. We didn't try any of the house specialties, but will make sure to do so next time. Big fan of the prices, too!
The Ali Mama Cafe was a regular place for me, every other day or so. Sometimes I'd stay half an hour, other times upwards of five. It has a fantastic environment, great flavor selection, and helpful customer service. If I hadn't moved away, I'd still be in there every other day.
They treat you like family there. If you're having a great day, they will celebrate it with you. A terrible one? They will show sympathy and bring you a nice, fresh bowl of shisha to cheer you up, and even offer you advice!
Their drinks are wonderful, and I've tried most of them. I highly recommend the mocha frappuccino or the jasmine tea. They also have Turkish Coffee, for those who love very sweet drinks.
There is also a taco set-up outside on most nights. Very inexpensive and very tasty, although not technically a part of the Ali Mama Cafe. If I recall correctly, the tacos were 1-2 dollars each.
Whether you are a regular, an old man playing cards, a new freshly 18 individual, or just your average joe checking out a hookah bar, they treat you with respect.
Shoutout to how awesome they treated my partner and I on our anniversary and valentine's day!
If I had more than five stars to give, I'd give it.
Fantastic, A+ hookah bar.
I am sooooo happy I find this place because the tobacco is sooooo smooth!Again, it isn't a fancy place, but the Turkish Coffee and Shalab are amazing! I never had Turkish Coffee and I am not a huge coffee drinker so this was an adventure for me. Luckily, the gentlemen that helped is was super helpful and knowledgeable, which made out experience exceptionally delightful! Like most of the reviews, it is definitely not a fancy place, but it's very home-y and you can tell there are tons of regulars who come to chill out. I was the only female there so it was a different, but, nonetheless, enjoyable. My boyfriend fell in love with this place so I think he will be a returning customer. The prices are absolutely stellar because we ended up purchasing our very own Hookah, tobacco (Pirates Cave and Wild Mint), food, and drinks for a really good price. I wouldn't mind going back with a whole group of friends because it's that type of place to relax and catch up. Parking does suck, but walking never hurt anyone. I will definitely be back to try other flavors of tobacco and Shalab!!
Review Source:Went here last night with a date place is small so won't see it driving...that's fine those are usually the best hookah spots none of the glam and all that like the ones in Hollywood there prices are fair and reasonable and not that expensive the shisha was really good there also there Turkish coffee was really good!!! My date ordered what they call "half" and it was really good though the back room is better then the front room black lights dj lights good vibe music all in the background an it if gets chilly they have portable heaters which is nice especially for this cold season the only down side when getting there was finding parking and the front room felt like I was in a scene from Taken but over all a really good place and would go again for a second go!
Review Source:There's a reason I'm a regular here. Â It's in a decently convenient location (parking on Sunset is kind of a pain on weekends but usually you can find a spot on Micheltorena). Â Ali Mama is completely unpretentious about what it is. Â It's strictly a chill hookah spot. Â No one's trying to be fancy. Â You don't need to dress up to go here (I've actually been here in sweatpants before, haha). Â You won't find super classiness going on. Â It's just an unbelievably awesome spot to chill out.
My partner and I come here generally once a week--we kind of have a standing Sunday night hookah date together to decompress and just sit around and spend time with each other, so that's most of the time when I go. Â The waiters are always super nice and courteous, although when it's not busy is when service is actually the slowest. Â They don't have a full food menu or anything, but if you're feeling snacky I totally recommend their shalab. Â It's creamy and hearty and it also has lots of nutritional value in the form of the nuts and coconut they cram inside it. Â Definitely a favorite of mine on a cool night. Â Their iced tea is real iced tea, fresh brewed from tea leaves and everything, not the Gold Peak crap or whatever. Â Ask for it sweetened with mint leaves and lemon and you won't be disappointed.
Now, onto the hookah! Â The hookah selection at Ali Mama seriously cannot be beat for the price. Â They have their own house tobacco they use but they also have Starbuzz and some of the more popular brands if you ask for them by name. Â In the upstairs lounge area they actually have all of their Starbuzz tobacco stacked along the back wall and you can go inspect it and pick out your favorite if you like. Â As for their plain old house hookah, it's only $12 for a single hose pipe and I think like $5 for a refill. Â Definitely a deal compared to some of LA's more trendy, fancy hookah bars that try for a younger, prettier clientele. Â They'll generally mix together whatever flavors you ask for--rose/jasmine, grape/pomegranate and watermelon/wintergreen are favorites of ours.
I guess the only room for improvement that Ali Mama really has is their service: like I said, they're back asswards here because if it's busy (which is most of the time) I get amazing service, and if it's dead they have a bad habit of forgetting about you. Â It's generally only dead earlier in the evenings. Â They have tvs in there with Dish Network going forever. Â Usually when we arrive there's middle eastern pop music playing, or hip hop, depending on who set it up. Â But if it's not busy and the music stops playing they'll usually just fork over the remote and tell you to pick something.
Moral of the story: if you like hookah or want to try it, GO HERE.
Great, chill spot. It is not fancy at all but the room behind the entrance was darker and very relaxing. They had TVs and music which was cool. They even have games such as dominos and cards you can play while you enjoy your hookah. The staff was polite and always checked on our hookah which I liked. The tea was average but the turkish coffee was very good. Definitely will be coming back to my place!
Only downside is that me and a friend were the only females so when we came out of it we got stared down by some old men.
The good: Cheap; good hookah; open late (until 2 am); mix of Arabic and hip-hop music; and although they don't serve alcohol, they allow you to bring your own and drink on site, as long as its not the Islamic holy month (they also don't mind you smoking herb in the back!)
The bad: no food (but you can always bring your own!); no Wifi; $3 cover charge per person in addition to the hookah (i.e. ordering a hookah will not take care of the cover charge; you must still pay the $3 per person or order one drink per person); sometimes they add the expensive hookah flavor (starbuzz) without asking you and then charge you the premium hookah price anyway.
Overall: the place is not perfect, but it is not bad either. It's a chill place to go to if you're in the mood to hang out with friends and kill an hour or two. There's a taco spot next door if you get hungry. Just be sure to understand the $3 per person cover policy and be clear when ordering your hookah (whether you want regular flavor or the more expensive starbuzz). Feel free to bring your own alcohol/food.
It's a good place to go for a certain crowd, I think I would've enjoyed this in college. Most people were in high school or college from the nearby neighborhoods out by East LA.
It's not a hole in the wall divey place in any trendy hipster sense. Yes the front room holds all  card-playing older men under florescent light, and the back room holds the college kids with hookah under black light.
The hot choco was NOT all that these yelpers cracked it out to be. I asked the guy in advance, and he said yeah it's an instant packet. I mean it's good.. but its not quality.
Note: There is a 1 drink minimum per person.. that drink can be anything.
It was open nice and late.
The guy working there was nice and attentive. Overall it's a decent price. Maybe I would opt for a trendier crowd for a couple dollars more.
This place doesn't have glamorous view nor crystal chandeliers. Â This place has awesome staff and great authentic hookahs. Â
Ali mama brought back good memories of sitting at seaside cafe in Egypt. Â Hookah smoke twirling in the air with backgammon chips slapping on wooden boards.
If you love hookah, you'll love this place.
A small chill spot to relax and enjoy some hookah. Â Definitely the cheapest hookah place I've ever been to or heard of. Â The guys who always help us are very nice and helpful. Â They have chess boards, Chinese checkers, etc. and either play movies or some hip-hop music. Â The front is usually filled with mom and pops kind of people and the back has a black-light area or an outside area which is also very chill and down to earth.
It's casual attire and just a great place to stop by after a long day or when you feel like going out but not getting super dolled up. Â Enjoy some hookah, leisurely activities, conversation, and welcoming environment.
They have a $3 drink minimum per person.
Parking is all street parking.
Tattoo shop and piercing spot down the street if you're feeling a little wild.
This place is still open, the last YELPer is lying, apparently he wasn't happy there and pulled this dirty dirty move of saying they are closed.
Place is alright, good hookah, nice vibe, decent prices. Â It's all good. Â They put a grill outside some nights and BBQ up burgers and dogs, there's a funny dude that works there, has a big baby blue old school on switches.
Awesome venue. Love the name. the prices aren't bad and the service is nice. parking can be a pain but there are tons of place to stop by within walking distance to check out too. i always enjoy their hot chocolate here. it's HUGE, that's what she said!! but really, it's absolutely enough to share. i just wish they would offer food. ugh! and of course, this is a great spot because it is open late and because they take cards. yippeeeee.
Review Source:SUPER CHILL. awesome hookah and HOT CHOCOLATE is famous.
The only thing keeping this place from a 4 or 5 would be FOOD!!! GET A DAMN KITCHEN FOR FOOD!!!!! Hookah makes me so hungry. Also, Wifi would be great too i think the spot would get so much business and be packed if they had these two things...
A little hookah escape. Â Nice staff. Â Sit in the back patio and watch the embers from the melted BBQ - quite fun. Â Good Turkish coffee. Â
The hot chocolate is insanely large (looks like a sundae).
Ask the staff what their favorite hookah flavor / combination is and you will not be disappointed.
My friend and I were wandering around Silverlake area and were in the mood for hookah so we looked this place and up and checked it out. We walked in when they opened, so we were the only people there. The hookah bar is upstairs in this cute little dining area with led and string lights all over the place. They have a few flat screens with radio stations they let us choose from. I remember selecting something off the menu and the server shut it down and recommended something else, which was kind of strange. The hookah was pretty decent, as I recall. It's nice that it's open super late and I'm sure it would have a fun vibe as it gets more crowded. Not the most impressive hookah bar, but decent if you're craving hookah in the area.
Review Source:The customer service is excellent! Very attentive and friendly, they are definitely welcoming! Last time I was there my wallet fell out of my purse in the restroom, and they were kind enough to come upstairs and I must admit it was a bit embarrassing, but they called out who it belonged to! I felt so happy I wouldn't have noticed it missing.
I enjoy sitting up there listening to music ( last time Wutang was on haha) and playing cards till literally early hours of the morning!
don't get turned off by the hole in the wall look, it is definitely worth a shot and if you like hookah your bound to enjoy this place.
Now this is a legit hookah lounge!!
Ali Mama is one of those hole-in-the-wall establishments that most people won't even bother giving a second glance when they pass by. Actually it looks like a deli or a small market from the outside.
Once inside, however, you go up a short flight of stairs to a dimly lit blacklight room with a TV and ethnic music playing in the background. Patrons have free reign over what types of music they want to listen to, so as long as they can locate the remote.
There a ton of hookah flavors to pick from, and the prices are more than reasonable. The workers are attentive to your needs and even if its your first time, they are polite and patient while they show you the ropes. The service is topnotch.
My favorite location is the upper-level backyard area. There's a giant trough-looking thing filled with searing hot coals and wood, and occasionally a worker will come by to refresh the patrons' coals. There's a fan that turns periodically as well, and while its on, sparks fly everywhere. Definitely dangerous, but I cant help but be mesmerized by the pretty fire. Like moths to a flame...
Anyway, the turkish coffee here is just ridiculously good as well. Coffee enthusiasts will love a cup. Be warned though, two small cups will be enough to send you bouncing off the walls.
All I can say is fun fun fun. This is the best hookah bar I've ever been to. It might of been the company but I think the owners and employee's are just so friendly. They have so much tobacco knowledge, and make great blends.'
Oh and the hot chocolate was really delicious. It had spices and sweetness to it I've never experienced before.
I've been to a handful of hookah lounges/place but this one definitely tops the list!
They have Excellent customer service! They remember you, hand out and take jokes like if they were your best friend, great expertise in Tobacco mixes, and will gladly help you out if you are having trouble getting a good hit with your set.
Let's you play all types of music even some Arab music sets the mood. Â They got a tv set so You can play movies too!(not sure about pornos 0.o, but it is an 18+ place) tons of board games also.
Incredible amounts of hookah flavors and almost limitless combinations.
Has always provided a good environment for groups and dates, whether your there to have a good time or to woe that special someone.
Definitely worth coming back!
The best hot chocolate I've ever tasted. Cinnamon silkiness with spices, whipped cream, chocolate chips, marshmallows and chocolate syrup. Uhm, YUM.
Don't be afraid by the exterior. Once you walk through the back it's like entering a fluorescent Neverland. Blacklights, cards and games - it's really a hipster hangout shielded by Armenian/Egyptian/ethnic men to deter people who just put up a front.
The turkish coffee is amazing. Do not drink it at night unless you're planning to stay up until kingdom come.
Good, strong hookah too! And quite cheap. Unfortunately if you have more than 6 people, they make you get 2 hookahs, even if less than 6 people want to smoke. What is up with that? We all got drinks each too :(
There's a $3 cover charge as well if you don't order a drink. :/
The only thing that kind of bothered me was the tone of the service. It's good, great service, even, but sometimes I feel like I'm being talked down to.
This place has the best hooka ive ever had, my friends and I are avid smokers and this place is tops.
Dont be fooled or intimidated by the looks of the place, everyone is super friendly and the service is great!
They give you the remote control to the patio tv and you can watch movies or shows all you want.
theyve got board games and cards - really chill spot!
A few friends and I happen to chance upon this place while searching for a hookah cafe on yelp. I've been to a few other places, mainly in Glendale and Burbank and the experiences there weren't great. The reviews of the place were great so we decided to check it out.
It is an awesome place! Not fancy, straight up kick back, and totally friendly. The owner and his staff treat you like family and take good care of you. The Turkish coffee is awesome, and the selection of flavored tobacco is enormous.
The place stays open late, I've walked out of there around 4:30am and there was still people playing cards everywhere.
So, my friend and I were a little nervous to go in here, because the front room was filled with big, burly types of guys. But every person we interacted with was friendly, and not at all in the creepy type of way! (girls, you know what I mean). They have a fun little back room, and we went and smoked hookah and drank tea. The hookah was AMAZING, the service was excellent, and it was an overall perfect hookah experience.
Also, although we did take advantage of it, this place is BYOB. We are definitely planning on going back with a bottle of wine.
Sum up: The staff was great, hookah amazing, and ambiance fun and casual.
I love this place! Its open late and you get to BYOB here! There's many hookah flavors to choose from and the staff is really friendly and attentive. The prices here are really reasonable compared to the ones in Hollywood where they charge you an arm and a leg.
This place is the "go to" place where you can just chill and hang out with friends. But when you get there, make sure you go to the back upstairs room because the older clienteles are in the front.
I love this place!
List Review
BYOB
Open Late
Not crowded
Great hookah flavors
Self coal
Friendly staff
poker chips + cards
Movies played
Black light
This place is a hidden gem. I've only been once but it was a great first impression. This is definitely on my late night to do list. The hookah was smooth, long lasting and quality. Also, as we were leaving the owner was making food for people (service). I wish it was closer to my house in the hood.
What does one do when experiencing insomnia?
Well, besides write yelp reviews like I am catching up on tonight (sorry to those of you fans getting a ton today. Â I promise to stop after this one.), you can go to Ali Mama Cafe!!! Â They are open until 4am on week nights and until 6/6:30am on weekends. Â This is the place for those of us serious night owls!
Anyway, this past Friday after the dodger game and a trip to my favorite bar in the world - Short Stop, my date took me here to Ali Mama. Â This is my first Hookah Lounge experience, and I loved it. Â I'm not a smoker, but really enjoyed the vibe and feel of this place. Â Our waiter was really helpful and suggested Earl Gray flavored tobacco. Â It was DELICIOUS - fruity. aromatic, sweet, just wonderful! Â
We also ordered a wonderful custard dessert topped with coconut and nuts for only $5.50 Â It was vanilla flavored, great texture, yummy flavor. Â It went well with the Earl Gray as well. Â
We found out you can bring in your own alcohol. Â They don't serve it, but you can bring your own.
The lounge also supplies playing cards. My date and I played poker, then war, then go fish. Â I won, but he was a great sport. Â We laughed a lot. Â The hookah lounge was so chill. Â We could have stayed longer, but I needed to be up early and to get home to sleep. Â
I just loved this place, and look forward to going back. Â (The date was good too. Â Yay! Â I needed a good experience following the disappointments of last week's dating episodes -different guy. Â Ouch. Â But, it's nice to feel appreciated again).
This place is great. They have a huge selection of hookah flavors, and the prices are relatively cheap for a hookah bar. They only charge by the hose, not by the person.
We sat out back in a nice outdoor patio and a bigscreen TV. They brought out the hookah (pomegranate) with coals from a large pile out back. The staff was friendly and told us this place is BYOB. Â To boot, they are open till 4AM!
ali mama, this one's for you:
I look and stare so deep in your eyes
I touch on you more and more every time
When you leave I'm beggin you not to go
Call your name two, three times in a row
Such a funny thing for me to try to explain
How I'm feeling and my pride is the one to blame
Yeah, cause I know I don't understand
Just how your love can do what no on else can
Got me lookin so crazy right now
Your love's got me lookin so crazy right now
(Your love)
Got me lookin so crazy right now your touch's
Got me lookin so crazy right now
(Your touch)
Got me hoping you page me right now your kiss's
Got me hoping you save me right now
Lookin so crazy your love's got me lookin
Got me lookin so crazy your love
When I talk to my friends so quietly
"Who he think he is?" Look at what you've done to me
Tennis shoes don't even need to buy a new dress
You ain't there, ain't nobody else to impress
It's the way that you know what I thought I knew
It's the beat that my heart skips when I'm with you
Yeah, but I still don't understand
Just how your love can do what no one else can
Got me lookin so crazy right now
Your love's got me lookin so crazy right now
(Your love)
Got me lookin so crazy right now your touch's
Got me lookin so crazy right now
(Your touch)
Got me hoping you page me right now your kiss's
Got me hoping you save me right now
Lookin so crazy your love's got me lookin
Got me lookin so crazy your love
I'm warmed up now
Let's go
Young hova
Ya'll know when the flow is loco
Young b and the r-o-c uh oh
O-g, big homie
The one and only
Stick boney but the pockets are fat like tony
Soprano the roc handle
Like van exel
I shake phonies man, you can't get next to
A genuine article, I do not sing tho
I sling though , if anything I bling yo
Star like ringo
War like a green berret
You're crazy bring your whole set
Jay-Z in the range
Crazy and deranged
They can't figure him out
They're like "hey is he insane?"
Yes sir I'm cut from a different cloth
My texture is the best fur, I'm chinchilla
I've been ill of the chain smokers
How you think I go the name hova
I've been reala'
The game's over
Fall back young ever since
I made you change over to platinum
The game's been a wrap
One
Got me looking so crazy, my baby
I'm not myself lately
I'm foolish, I don't do this
I've been played myself
Baby I don't care
Cuz your love got the best of me
And baby you're making a fool of me
You got me sprung and I don't care who sees
Cuz baby you got me so crazy
LA hookah bars are a real gamble; you never know what you're going to get. Personally, I like my hookah bars to follow the rule of the three Cs: cozy, casual, cheap. So far, Ali Mama is the only hookah bar I've found in the Los Angeles area that meets all three requirements.
From the outside, Ali Mama looks more like a rundown convenience store than a place to hang out on a weekend. The front of the cafe has several tables and seems designed for the older clientele, complete with checkerboards and easy access to hot drinks. Up the stairs is the young people room. Blacklights, more tables, and a makeshift DJ table are used to give the younger visitors a more "hip" place to smoke. If you're someone who prefers a more private atmosphere, there's the backyard.
This place is no frills, but the service is wonderful. Our waiter was friendly, helpful, and very charming. The hookah is on the higher end of cheap, but the flavors were great and we were allowed to manage our own coals. Also, the Turkish coffee is a must have. Our waiter says they use imported coffee, and whether or not that's the case, the stuff is delicious.
Check this place out if you're looking for a good spot to have a smoke and a laid-back evening with friends.
I went to Ali Mama's last night on a whim with a friend of mine, who praised its glories. I was a bit skeptical at first. I am a small woman, and slightly intimidated by a place whose clientele was composed almost entirely of big, burly men that evening. But my friend is 6'5", and a force to be reckoned with in his own right, so I took the dive. Soon after as we walked in, I felt silly for being so skeptical. We looked over the place, trying to find a table. And my friend said to me, "I'm not sure where to sit." A man next to us interjected kindly over his card game, "Anywhere you want! Check out the back too! There's plenty of space there and at the table over here." This is pretty much the tone of this place. Just incredibly friendly people smoking hookah, playing cards, backgammon, dominoes or chess (they keep sets of all of these for customers to play).
Service was so kind as well. My friend had a really nice, tart hibiscus tea. And I had a really delicious Turkish coffee, that was sweet, but not too sweet just like I requested, that I'm still wired on this morning. I had enough for two or three little cups of it (and it was just $2.99!). We chatted, we played a game of chess, we hung out in the back room full of mellow people smoking hookah and just having a good time with their friends and watching some TV late into the night. Plus, for hookah smokers, they have an incredible variety of shisha. Downside for non-hookah smokers (like me), those fruity, floral, minty smokes that commingled in the air were still stuck in my hair this morning. I'd still do it again though for that cup of Turkish coffee and a conversation over a game of chess.
As other reviewers have said, this is a really laid back place. Â I went here last night based solely off the other reviews and I was not disappointed.
There was a variety of customers, which I really liked. Â At the entrance you're greeted by middle aged arab men and women, almost all with their own personal hookah. Â They look at you like you don't belong, but walk in and don't be discouraged. Â The manager/all employees were extremely friendly. Â Once I met him it was as if we had been coming there for years.
We chose a table in the back room which featured couples, girlfriends, one person on her laptop studying, a group of guys of mixed race and age. Â We eventually moved to the way back to be outside again (and to avoid the TV).
The shisha was delicious. Â We were boring and just got strawberry, but there were a wide variety of flavors to choose from, some I'd never seen before (ex. kiwi, sex on the beach). Â There is a 1 drink minimum per person or a $3 cover charge (it says this on the menu). Â I'm not sure how strictly it's enforced because the waiter almost left before we gave him our drink order. Â Anyway, almost all the drinks are under $3 so it's worth it to get something (hot teas, turkish coffee, fruit juices, smoothies, they got it all).
There are three distinct areas: Â 1) the sidewalk out front. Â 2) the back room. Â 3) the way back. Â The sidewalk was crowded with what seemed like regular customers playing card games. Â The back room was OK, but had a big and loud TV playing that I was not into. Â I have a love/hate relationship with TV and would've asked them to turn it down or off (to be replaced by music) but everyone else was enjoying it. Â In the way back you can still hear the TV but you're outside and little removed. Â It feels like you're in your friend's backyard. Â There's a little yard up some stairs, you can see some stars. Â The one downside to this area is that you're near the grill where they burn all the charcoal so periodically it smells really smoky.
Overall a really good, relaxed, cheap place. Â i've been looking for a good hookah lounge that wasn't pretentious and this is it. Â Also, people said it was BYOB. Â I didn't see anyone drinking beer and I didn't asked the employees, but that would be a great feature.
I frequent this place pretty often. I don't smoke cigarettes, but I enjoy a shisha every now and then. Let me tell you, this place has the PEFRECT shisha! Doesn't get much better then this, and now they have belly dancers.Very authentic shisha. Super smooth, and there is always fresh  charcoal being fired up.
This place is super friendly. The service, the customers, and the vibe is very laid back. You have the usuals, and then a mix of others. The decor isn't the best, but I come here JUST for the shisa.
I was here tonight, and they invited me to eat dinner with them. One of the owners INSISTED I drop my shisha, and dine with them. It was GREAT Northern African cuisine. SO delicious! What a rare treat! This place is so friendly!
It's a great place to even just have some tea, or some Turkish coffee. It's open until LATE. Usually 4-5am. Depends on the patrons =).
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