Habebi Hookah Bar

OK, so maybe I am sort of a shisha snob.  So sue me.

I have high expectations for a well made hookah and Habebi has never disappointed me.  I have visited other hookah establishments around Portland and apples to apples, Habebi is still the best.

Some of those other hookah bars in Portland I have been to, they appeared to be amateurs that did not seem to understand that there is a correct way to prepare a hookah, get the water level right, pack the bowl properly, and put the right amount of coals on top.  At Habebi, they get these things right and they get them right every single time.

They still have the belly dancer on the weekends and I like that they are open late, until 5AM on the weekends.  I still love the ambiance, lots of deep reds and the beautiful Egyptian textiles throughout - I have some of the same textiles in my home and I bought them in Egypt.  I am also reminded of my time spent in a hookah club in Cairo.

So fellow shisha snobs, listen to me, get thee to Habebi.

It's tough to find a worthwhile hookah bar. Admittedly, there isn't the biggest market plus some bit of Oregon legislation forbids the the service of alcohol in hookah bars and frankly  this is the biggest problem. Habebi's isn't much different from any other hookah bar, I'm not a big fan of the decorating or the music (which they play far too loud for any lounge atmosphere,) but at least the place is popping. I can say from experiences at other lounges that there's nothing worse than enjoying hookah with you're friends in a dead establishment with awkwardly loud music

Not a bad spot but it's not a super huge location. Dark lighting, music, typical of a Hookah place. Wasn't overly impressed by flavors/brands that they had...perhaps I just chose an off one. The atomosphere is fine and staff is friendly. Got a little over crowded there for my taste on a weekend night. Parking is few and far between at this place.