Vibe Cafe

I love VIBE. I wish I didn't live so far I'd come once a week. But I did go a few times and its one of the most classiest hookah bars to go to. The setting is really fancy and so are the tables and everything else. The food is also pretty good and so is the hookah, I definitely recommend coming here. It may seem pricy but the prices are the same at almost all hookah bars. The service is great and it's an awesome place.

This review has been a long time in coming.

I have been going to Vibe cafe since I lived right on Kester avenue in Sherman oaks practically next door. Until then my primary hookah experience had been the on and off trip over to cafe O in Burbank. While I'd hate to knock cafe O, which I also reviewed earlier, I have to admit that I have no intention of going to any hookah lounge other than Vibe.

1. SERVICE. You will not find better service here. Period. The servers are fountains of personality. They are experts at reading a table's desire to dink around and have a good time or to just be left alone with food and hookah. There is no shortage of smiling, no shortage of laughter and no shortage of appreciation for your patronage. This is a decidedly awesome family atmosphere at this place. The owners are some of the most kind and generous people I have ever met.

2. Family atmosphere. Loyalty is appreciated AND rewarded. Not that you get perks, but the more often you're there, they REMEMBER you. And that's awesome. They will remember your NAMES, they will remember your preferences of hookah and they will even remember what area of the restaurant you like to sit in, when you are someone who is in there all the time. It feels like coming home. This is the Mediterranean CHEERS, guys.

3. You are SAFE. Not only are you safe, but the security guard Darby has got to be one of the coolest people on the face of the earth. Your life is seriously missing a link if you have not asked to be introduced to him. If he wonders why you asked to know who he was, tell him the crazy girls who come in all the time, one with the red hair, said that Darby is amazing, and everybody should know him. I am willing to accept the consequences of these actions.

4. THE FOOD IS ABSOFREAKINGLUTELY FABULOUS. No seriously. It's not CHEAP, so watch yo'self, It can get pricey but it's worth it every time. I don't know what the hell awesomeness they put on their salads but it's amazing. And if you haven't tried some of the specials that may or may not be on the menu, your life is suffering greatly and it's no wonder you find yourself sad more than you used to.

5. THE HOOKAH IS BETTER THAN MOST ANYWHERE. Period. Hookahs get harsh everywhere. Except when you smoke here. Because the only reason these hookahs go harsh is because a.) too much heat so take off or move coals, or b.) time for a refil. They are the only acceptable excuses for harsh hookah. ALSO here's a tip. If you go to this place and get a milk base in your hookah. Bonus! Extra charge but bonus. IF you get an apple or pineapple head ... ALSO bonus (though pineapple better for bigger groups) they now have these super scifi looking glass hookahs. And if you're one of the people who gets all snazzy with a milk base and fruit head on a regular hookah, you should try this sucker because it'll cost all of 10$ more than all your existing up charges.

6. In general, your life as a hookah fan sucks without Vibe.

That is all.

Came here twice. The first time was back in March when they were on probation and (I believe, for this very reason) the service was outstanding! I was very impressed! And the drinks were SO super strong I got drunk after just one!
Came back yesterday with a friend. Ordered 2 drinks and got a complimentary bowl of fried garbanzo beans, which seemed really nice to me (+1 star). Later we ordered hookah (which was pretty good: +1 star) and 2 more drinks - that's it! Here I should say that the drinks barely had ANY alcohol in them at all. But the bill killed the night for us - automatic 18% gratuity applied FOR TWO PEOPLE!!! SERIOUSLY?????? I heard this can be done for groups of 3 people and more - I have NEVER ever EVER heard about this being done to groups of TWO people!!! I don't think our server deserved 18% gratuity and I feel taken advantage of.
NOT COMING BACK.