Sahara Sheesha Lounge

It's a Monday night when I get the call :

"Fancy an impromptu hookah?"

It's Mr. MB, and through an unforeseen change in plans, he's free, and he's got the craving for a smoke.

"I'll be there in an hour", I replied.

"I'm in the back, I'll see you in a bit."

57 minutes later, I was out of the Springtime evening of 39th St and through the doors of Sahara, what's become a regular spot for the "Amateur Algonquin" that our certain circle of friends has adopted for its meetings.  At this time of night, the lights are dim, and the glowing coals of Hookah Pipes dot my path through the sumptuous seating-areas like torches in a foggy desert den. Low conversations, steam-and-water, and music of the land of the Sahara are the ambient soundtrack to another meeting with Mr. MB.

He sits in the back, as he mentioned : "You get a better view from back here", he says, adding, "Care for a Vimto?".  An exotic beauty approaches our corner of the room, waiting for that answer, as well. I sit, adjusting the pillows on the couch into a comfy arrangement, and I reply, "Yes, and a #23, the Giza, please."

The next two hours are as therapeutic as any sauna, as any massage, as any visit with a mental health professional.  Mr. MB and I drink our Vimtos, reflect on the past weekend, stir the coals on the pipes, and enjoy the ritual of it all.  The act of relaxation that all of this provides is just what a couple of tired old souls such as ourselves need right then, and the right company means about everything.

The rest of the place is occupied by many others : some in traditional ethnic garb, some college students, some neighborhood denizens, all there for the same thing the simple relaxation and conversation that ensues when you're with great people imbibing in a simple pastime; one that seems to energize and calm at the same time.

Mr. B announces he should leave, and I concur; it's late on a weeknight, and the time has gone fast, yet still timeless.  We say our farewells, and promise to come back soon, to enjoy the wonderful service, the comfortable and welcoming environment, and the relaxed atmosphere of experience, itself.  Bonding happens in such places, with such people, for such reasons.

The only thing missing was my Fez...

Good place to get a hookah and chill while maybe drinking LIPTON tea with mint....nothing extra ordinary.  Chicago has a lot better places, but this was fine since it is...Kansas City.

If I could give this 0 stars, I would. What a HORRIBLE experience. I've been to hookah bars before, and I wouldn't even consider this a hookah bar. I bought a Groupon and went with 2 of my friends. We walked in, and the place was empty. No customers, no workers, nothing. We stood there about 2 minutes, waiting. Finally, we walked out and came back in, thinking the door chime would go off and someone would hear us. Finally after about 5 minutes, I had to yell (awkward) "Hello??" Thirty seconds later a guy walks out. He tells us to sit down, and then walks away into the back room. The couches were SO uncomfortable, and music? None. There was only a big screen playing News in a language that we definitely did not understand. Just a lot of uncomfortable news footage and screaming. Not exactly the relaxing experience we were looking for. We order 2 hookahs, and when I said I wanted melon and peach, he could not figure out we wanted 2 different ones and not mixed. After he basically yelled at us for not understanding, he left and didn't come back for probably 20 minutes. We just asked for glasses of water, and of course he charged us for bottled waters. The melon hookah was good, peach was horrible. After another 20 minutes, I had to yell, again, because he never came back to check on us. He came out from some back room and we asked for our check. I gave him my phone, with the Groupon on it, and he took my phone and said he had to call his manager because he didn't know what to do with that. You probably shouldn't sell Groupon's if you don't know how they work. He had my phone for 10 minutes, and I felt uncomfortable so I went up to ask if there were problems with the Groupon. He said "Wait! Just wait!" and shooed me away while he texted his boss. Finally, he was ready. He said "Okay, $25." I said "Yes, but I have a $15 Groupon." "Okay, $20." What? Am I confused on my math here? No no, $10. From the second we stepped in to the second we left it was a nightmare. Never again. These other reviews make me feel like I'm on drugs. I mean, at this point, I wish I was.