This place definitely has the old "bait and switch" methodology down pat.
My cousin and I wanted to hang out so we decided to give this place a shot for some hookah and relaxation. We didn't really get any of that!
First of all, their website lists their hookah prices at $17.99. When you get there, you realize that they charge $25 as stated on their physical menus.
It's completely beyond me how a business can update their physical menus BEFORE they update their menus online. It's completely ridiculous.
On top of that, they have a 1 drink minimum per person. Excuse me? Why should that even matter if we are ordering a much more expensive hookah?
Besides, the hookah sucked. I can load a better hookah and I'm terrible at it! It didn't hit well at first, then it became too harsh and just made me feel queasy.
I had to order a $5 tea. I expected to get a nice tea kettle with really good tea. All I got was some new-age, craptastic tea where the wrapper had holes in it for steeping. I ordered the cardamom black and it tasted more like rose water to me.
The music outside was playing much too loud, so carrying on a conversation was nigh on impossible.
There was a 15% Yelp check-in deal (thank goodness), but our waitress had to flag down X amount of managers to get the approval as if this had never come up before.
Viceroy seems to be a place where the vapid inhabitants of Studio City and Sherman Oaks come to be seen. I used to live in the area; a lot has changed.
I'd rather take my derelict ass to Cafe Amsterdam in NoHo. At least there, their prices are extremely reasonable, their hookah hits amazingly, their tea is served in nice kettles, the service is great, and the environment is much more calm.
Viceroy comes off as having quite the inflated ego, but they don't possess the skills to back it up. They just look good from the outside.
Sounds like a lot of people in LA!
Just ok. The drinks were good, the hookah was good, but the service could definitely be improved. Went here on a Monday night with a friend and it wasn't packed at all, yet our server was somehow too busy to even get our drink order until about 15 minutes after we sat down. She didn't apologize for the wait, and only showed up a couple more times. Not very professional.
Review Source:So happy to discover this Hookah lounge! Went with a group of friends and loved it. We smoked Blue Mist and Chi. My fave was the blue mist. There's tons of comfortable sofa seating, indoor and outdoor. The service was great and friendly. We all had a lovely time. Will definitely come back.
Review Source:I have been coming to Viceroy for some time now and I can say that my recent visit this week was what made me rate this place 5 stars. THe new General Manager, Kim Gregory, was what made this all happen!
He was caring, involved, and interested in his customers' experience while at the lounge. He is clearly an expert at what he does because he really has veered this establishment in the right direction. He was so attentive and made sure all the servers were prompt and doing their job. Great management such as the one provided by Kim is what makes a business worth going to. Thanks again for the excellent experience at Viceroy, Kim!
We went on a Monday night, so it was the Buy one get one drinks and hookah which I never knew! What's not to love about double the sangrias :) Love how they use the new apple on top hookah heads, they're great! Definitely going to be going back, this was probably my tenth visit to the establishment and I will be back ten more times indefinitely.
I visited this place about a month ago. I really enoyed the atmosphere. The food, drinks, and hookah was pretty good. I was even planning on coming here for my birthday soon. I have changed my mind because I got charged in May for the same amount I paid for in April. Thank goodness I pay attention to my charges. I don't understand how or why this happend. I really don't appreciate it. I have to go through filing a dispute and it will take up to 90 days. Thanks Viceroy for letting your greed get the best of you. I hope that you don't do this with other customers as well.
Review Source:Went last night at the behest of a friend. Vibe has totally changed: all the music is now R&B and hip-hop and rap and rock concerts playing on the TV screens (what happened to Middle Eastern music and europop vids?). Seated at the bar with spotty service. Given a latte on a napkin, with no plate to put my spoon or my sugar. Then when the manager wants to move us to a table, one of the bartenders pours out my coffee that I hadn't finished since we had closed out the tab but only bec the bartender serving us requested we do so since we were going to be assigned to a new waitress. On the topic of drinks, who charges $5 for a coffee when Armenian coffee and lattes are also $5? Extremely overpriced, they want $9 for a dessert, ya right, what is this, a steakhouse? Even the most expensive restaurants in BH don't charge $5 for coffee!!! Charged $35 for fruit head hookah when the menu CLEARLY listed $30. You can't put a price on your menu and then charge something else. Coal guy was not to be found for 15-20 minutes.
Review Source:Last weekend was my second time here and possibly the biggest 360 from my first impression, not in a good way.
First time here friendly, fast service and a nice experience. This time it was appalling.
My group of 6 waited over an hour & a half to be seated (I'm not exaggerating at all), while watching 4 different big & small groups of Armenians that arrived after us get seated immediately with no reservations.
After asking for the 4th time when we'd be seated, with a hostess that acted like we were invisible after nodding her head when we said group of 6; she consistently looked over us every time a table was cleared. My friend got really frustrated (she doesn't get ruffled easy, she's a nurse) asked one last time with the addition that we'd be leaving if we don't get a straight answer.... &&WOW we finally got seated!
Long story short 15+mins just to get "our waitress"
We order our drinks, hookah, and food all at once
took 40+mins. to finally get our drinks (yes just our drinks which consisted of 2 waters, 3 cocktails, and a bottle of wine),
20mins later to get one of our hookahs 10mins to that then we get our other hookah,
& 20 more mins. on top of all of  that to get our food (which included a mess up on the food order)
In the mean time AGAIN a group of Armenian friends are seated after us & across from us, get there hookah, drinks, and food within 15mins of ordering (no they didn't order an easy salad)
Every person I came with had just got off of work and just wanted to enjoy a chill night out. All the girls including myself were low-key falling asleep on their boyfriends arms, the wait was that horrendous from start to beginning.
Oh yea our original waitress traded us for the table of Armenian friends across from us (probably hoping they would tip well?) and slammed us with a new girl. As sweet as she was you could tell that this very well may have been her first night on the floor.
My boyfriend was absolutely not happy to see our group of friends not having a good time and actually ready to go (on a Friday) and actually skip the possibility of a bar or lounge after -- which we normally never skip.
Instead of giving the new waitress shit from what she didn't do my boyfriend disappeared and found the owner. I don't know what he said but when we got our bill which we expected to be $300+ (I've came here before so we knew what to expect with prices, unfortunately these were all my friends first time) the bill ended up being $135. Kudos to the owner for taking claim and ownership of the shitty service we got and giving us a break.
The table across from us left before us and I was curious what they tipped. Yes I did grab there signed bill folder, IDGAFf!!! Let me just say it was laughable and kind of sad for the total people in the group and the total of the bill (no cash left on the table and probably trying to avoid being over drafted which would explain the sad tip, ha). So just to be "the bigger group" we tipped our new waitress an obscene amount of money in both cash & all our cards. On our card receipts to her we all wrote "thank you". Here tip made up for what should have been the original price had we not been fucked over it would have gone to viceroy as a whole but very happy its went in her pocket in stead. She kept it together after coming into a situation she knew nothing about and was determined to do HER best to make us happy.
Will I come here again? HELL F***IN NO!!! But I hope we made that waitress' night.
The one star is for the interior décor, its great.
*In no way do I mean to offend any racial group with my review, only used specifics to point out a pattern that may be consistent with the shitty service my friends and I got.
So, is showing pornographic music videos a normal thing for hookah bars?!??! Â
Went for first time last night, a Tuesday, around midnight. Â I really liked the decor and the music they were playing. Â I did have a problem with the chair/table combination - not a comfortable fit for us 6' and large frame folks.
I enjoyed the hookah (white grape) and didn't have any service complaints like I've seen in other reviews, although I am no hookah expert to know about how the coals should be handled, etc.
But I just could not get over the fact that around 12:45/1:00am, they started playing PORNOGRAPHIC music videos on the big screens, like it's a normal thing to do. Â No, not just a boob here or there. Â I know I'm more of a prude than some, but I was just a little shocked and distracted from any conversation my date and I were attempting to have. Â I mean, it was kind of funny since we had heard these videos existed but had never seen them.
BUT bottom line, I would consider returning. Â I'm can deal with seeing porn, but I personally found it to be an inappropriate setting.
This place is frickin AWESOME! The ladies working here were absolutely amazing. Appetizers rocked, we ordered the avocado egg rolls, margherita pizza, hummus with pita which was beyond amazing, the hookah ROCKED... Plus they accomodated our request for house music all night long. What more can you ask for?! Great decor, great people, and super friendly staff... Hats off to Kim, Daffany, and Lynn, y'all ROCK! We'll definitely be back here to conclude our late-night soirees.
Review Source:My friends and I really did not have a good experience here.
We got sat at an extremely small table, that grew to be problematic; so picture this: we were sitting there (six of us) at a small table with about 12 plates on the able, six that were clearly being unused and definitely not needed, and the waitress failed to change out the plates in a timely manner, yet had time to spray and wipe down tables, that had just been wiped down by someone else.
Keep in mind we were a party of 6, so they automatically include tip in the bill, which is fine/cool, whatever, except I like to pay my tip with cash. When I told the waitress to only charge me for food and hookah, and I'll pay the tip with cash, she completely disregarded my request and charged everything to my card, she gave the excuse "that's what the computer automatically does when there is a party of 6".
I asked to speak with the manager because quite honestly I don't believe she deserved a 16% tip that was forced upon me to pay, "because of our party of 6". Needless to say a manager never came out. Biggest don't in restaurant business!
The hookah took forever to come out! A good 30 min, it wasn't good, at all! and it was not a very busy night, maybe 5 tables going, no reason for it to take that long.
I really wish the service had been better, had the manager come out, it would have redeemed the shitty one star I had to give, which is a petty one star simply because zero stars is not an option.
*Treat everyone the same Viceroy Hookah Lounge!
If I could I would give this place no stars. So went last night to this place with my girlfriends. It's a one drink min. Fine! I asked if I can have water she said we have only bottled water. I said ok and how much is that? She says $5... $5 freakin dollars for a water bottle.. That's ridiculous!!! It's really narrow and maybe like 10oz of water. They are crazy. So my friend ordered a salad with two sides of avocado and we got a hooka and French fries with 5 drinks. Not only that's all we ordered but we were waiting for our waitress for a while... Horrible service. So we ask for the check. We've been waiting already 20 min. No waitress!!! Wtf! And it's not like the place is crazy packed with people out the door. Their we're maybe four tables taken inside. So I got frustrated and went to her and said we're waiting for our check. So she brings it, and its $114.00 wtf!! I'm shocked!!! Go back and read what we ordered. They also have the audacity to tip themselves. So she tips herself $13. Which I had horrible service and have to tip that much nooo wayyyyyy!!! Â I'm sorry but yes the place is beautiful but not worth $114.00 for what we ordered and horrible service. Trust me save yourself the money your wallet and you will be very happy. Oh btw I had to go and give her the check because it was taking her another 20 min to come and get the money... So pissed off!!!
Review Source:LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! The amazing new remodeled facility and decor is just beautiful. Its a very casual but very HIP setting. If your looking for the nightclub "look" but not the hustle and bustle of the night club, this is your place. You can order wonderful appetizers while sipping on a delicious cocktail and sit back and enjoy your hookah! Its a bit on the pricey side, but I highly recommend! Â LOVE IT!
Review Source:I really wanted to give this place 4 stars, but couldn't get over the amazing interior design. The place was beautiful- so modern and unique I absolutely loved it.
Besides that, the hookah was above average, and the cheese fries were really good! They don't use that imitation yellow cheese like other places.
I really did NOT enjoy my margarita- it might have been my fault ordering a margarita at a hookah bar, but well it sucked. Â
The waitress on the other hand was super nice, I was with a large crowd and she managed to get all out orders correct.
I will definitely be back!
Probably the best looking hookah bar in the valley. The owner really put in a lot in regards to decor and the whole experience, I dig it. The hookah there is great and they even have Lavoo hookahs, although it's pricey. (but you get free refills)
Pricing isn't too crazy given the upscale atmosphere. I don't like the fact that they charge $5 for waters. That's gotta change. It's not even good water, nor is it served in a glass bottle!
The service sucks.
We got here around 10:40pm on a Friday night. There were 5 of us. I asked how long it would be and was told it would be a 20 minute wait by the girl up front.
At 11pm a gentleman who seemed to be the manager/owner started manning the door. I asked him how long it would be, he said another 10 minutes.
At 11:20pm I was told we'd get the first available table.
I understand the place is busy, but why if the staff works there, why can't I get a decent assesment of time for how long I need to wait with my friends?
We got the table around 11:30 - 11:40pm. An hour after we got there. Is it really that difficult to estimate when a large table will be free? Is all the staff brand new?
After that we gave our order of food and drinks and the waitress forgot who got what, and then brought an extra drink and charged us for it.
We waited probably 20-30minutes for the hookah. Then another 10 minutes for the drinks. "the bar was backed up"
After that we were checked on, once per hour, until we left.
When we got our bill and pointed out the extra drink it took another 10-20minutes to wait for them to remove it. "sorry I had to get approval from my manager."
The decor is nice enough, the hookah and the drinks seemed to be fine.
But the waitress just seemed incompetent and the hostess/ host just kept leading us on so we'd wait longer.
I wouldn't come back here.
Viceroy is probably the best hookah lounge I've been to in the Valley. As an avid hookah smoker, I appreciate a quality hookah and this place certainly delivers. I typically take Double Apple/Mint and even though they use Starbuzz Double Apple (I prefer Al Fakher) the quality of the way the head is prepared and the quality of the actual hookah (Khallil Mamoon looks like their standard hookah available) along with the coals they use present a great smoking experience. Their hookahs are also very clean (the coal catcher trays always look new - very good sign of how they do business here).
A unique aspect of Viceroy is its ambience and decor. It's eclectically decorated with tantalizing appeal. I've never seen light fixtures like the ones they have installed and the wall and ceiling fixtures contribute are also unique. You can tell whoever owns this lounge put a lot of money into the making of this lounge.
Some additional plusses: They offer beer & wine where not many hookah lounges do. Great spot to hang out at night. Waitstaff is very friendly.
Some things they need to work on: At night, they need to be a little more attentive at maintaining customers' hookahs. A night I was there, I wished they had come around more often with the coal bucket, blown out my bowl, and changed the coals. Additionally, service was a bit slow but not deal breaking by any means.
Overall, this is a 5 star review based on the quality of the hookah, ambience and decor, cleanliness, and friendly staff. I have yet to try their food offerings and specialty drinks so I cannot comment on those aspects, but every time I've been here, I've left satisfied. Check it out the next time you're craving a hookah!
went on a Wednesday night. Decor and ambiance were great. good selection of flavors for hooka. did not have food. Tea was cold. (and greatly overpriced)
Service was simply bad. Very unorganized. seemed like no one was in charge, and it was unclear who was waiting on what table. Â The staff were more interested in "hanging out" with each other than tending to customers.
Stopped by with some coworkers for some hookah and apps. Â The design and decor was surprisingly fresh and different than all the other hookah lounges in the valley. Â This one actually looks like a lounge.
With all the effort the put in design I was expecting the place to have lackluster hookah. Â I was wrong.This place carrys fumari brand among others and the gummi bear flavor we had lasted a long time. Â It never got harsh and was packed right. Â
The food here is good, not great. Â We tried some ceviche and calamari.Lava cake was great.
Drinks need some work done but at least this place has a FULL BAR , a rarity with valley hookah bars.
Parking can get messy. Â There is metered street parking before 8pm that you have to keep reloading. Â Valet starts around 6PM right in front of the place.
I've been here a couple of times in the past two months. I always pass it going up and down ventura.
Two of my best friends just moved somewhere on van nuys and ventura, so we've been going to the hookah place near by and decided to try something new.
***Viceroy and an amazing happy hour deal! And by amazing I mean A-freakin-mazing! Everything on the menu is 1/2 off from 11am-6pm Monday-Friday
therefore a normal hookah would be $12.50
This place is packed at night. Theres a great ambiance with flat screens and music.
Everything is clean
*Service during the day is very slow....if you can't stand bad service maybe go somewhere else. I wouldn't say it was awful or horrible service, I think its due the lack of customers during the day, so the waitress doesn't come by as often as you need her. I can deal with anyone, the price is worth it.
* I love the hummus and pita!
* the hamburgers are ok
*chicken wings are yummy too
This place has a very cool atmosphere/look and plays pretty good music. Â The wait staff is nice, however we had issues with the food and the handing of a customer complaint. Â My husband and I decided to try this place for the first time one weeknight when it was not busy at all. Â There was only 2 or 3 other tables there besides us. Â The staff told us they have the best burgers in town, so that's what we ordered.
We ate an appetizer and had two drinks while talking about our day, etc. Â After awhile we ordered 2 more drinks. Â Shortly after that time it donned on me that we had been waiting for quite awhile for our 2 burgers. Â I inquired with the wait staff and they said they'd be out shortly.
To make a long story short, we waited over 1 hour for 2 burgers in a restaurant that was not busy. Â The wait staff apologized and told the manager. Â She said the manager was int he back reprimanding the cooks for taking too long. Â She also mentioned that the cooks there that evening we not the better ones they had and that's probably why it took so long.
The burgers were good, but we were disappointed. Â The manager never came by our to able to apologize or anything. Â He didn't even offer to comp our 2 burgers for taking so long. Â The other bad [art was...the bill was $100 for 4 cocktails, 1 appetizer and 2 burgers!! Â That is ridiculous!!!! Â When we go to fine dining restaurants we don't even hit the $100 mark. Â It really topped the whole evening off for us and we left frustrated and in-shock. Â We don't plan on going back.
I've came to Viceroy before with mediocre experiences. Nothing horrible and nothing great to really push me to leave a review...until now!
I came here on a recent Saturday night with a couple friends to grab a hookah and some drinks (alcohol/coffee). Now not taking anything away from this place...the decor is nice and the soon-to-be porn stars walking around in booty shorts as waitresses are decent eye candy too.
Our service was okayy, nothing great, nothing special. The hookah simply SUCKED. It wouldn't hit properly and it seemed as if the mix was made by a 5 year old. It simply seemed like it wasn't properly packed. The charcoal guy rarely came around and when he did, he didn't even take the head off to take a blow on it. He simply just kept putting charcoal on the head. I had to risk burning my own fingers, taking the head off to dust out all the charcoal accumulated in the head.
Am i in my own garage?? or am I paying $25 for a hookah at a nice lounge on Ventura?? C'mon Bro!
So the above mediocrity didnt drive me to write a review, what happened a few days after did. I get a call from my friend who i was at the lounge with. She told me to check my credit card statement because on top of what she had authorized as a charge, they charged a separate transaction of an even larger amount to her credit card.
I immediately went and looked at my statement and lo and behold...I see the $15 charge i actually signed off on. and I see a SECOND charge of $63. $63!!! what crooks! I could understand if they accidently swiped my card twice and there were duplicate $15 charges, but how do you charge someone an extra $63??
This created an extra hassle of me calling my credit card company and filing a dispute. It is all a huge hassle and i doubt i will ever go back there again. If you're looking to not get ripped off, go down the street to Vibe, its not as nice but you won't get ripped off.
Now I gotta keep track of my credit card to make sure its not being used at Nordstrom's in Glendale! ;)
One star for the decor....one star for the waitresses in booty shorts.
One of my new favorite Hookah Lounges! (and I don't have many!) Lol.
Their service is attentive, yet relaxed and not pushy, menu is good. The fruit platter, chese platter, and Quesadilla are a for sure try. The Hookahs are clean and the plush seating makes the experience even better. I really like the Zen fusion of the decor, lights, etc. I will be back, would like to see a Riesling on the wine menu though. Parking is a bit tough, unless you do street, or valet. Go with some friends, or even a date and enjoy!
***Due to new management - The Viceroy Hookah Lounge no longer honors Groupons that were purchased sometime in late 2011!***
My husband and I received a Groupon for this place and finally decided to use it last week. Upon our arrival, we were told the aforementioned news BUT decided to stay because we were starving and the new menu looked good. It's not a huge selection and it's mostly American bar food.
We ordered the GRILLED CHEESE AND SHORT RIB SANDWICH (yummy and gooey but not very cheesy, so it felt more like a short rib sandwich first and foremost) and the SOURDOUGH CHICKEN RANCH SANDWICH (nice salty mix of textures, both chewy and crunch). Both came with skinny fries that we scarfed down.
There weren't too many customers, the service was really nice/attentive and lightly chatted with us about the basketball game that was on. Although we were disappointed in not getting to use the groupon, the waitress was kind enough to get us a 10% off discount. It's a cool spot, but we probably won't return since it's out of our way.
I came here for my friend's goodbye party, and she made a pretty good selection coming to Viceroy. My first impression of this place: MODERN. I guess they had recently went through a makeover, and let me tell you... it's rather classy inside.
With comfy leather booths and intimate lighting, this place is the ideal place for a romantic date, or a cozy get-together.
We ordered one hookah, 2 bottles of champagne, and a lot of food. The hookah was good, but I only had one puff because I was suffering from a sore throat. But the champagne, on the other hand, was extremely tasty. The server presented it with a small bucket and brought little champagne glasses which really put us in the mood. The server popped one bottle with enthusiasm, while the other was popped by my friend who had reserved the place.
The service was exceptional. We had a great server. He was patient, accommodating, and was able to get everything correct.
The food tasted like room service -- which I do not mind at all! We ordered the chicken tenders, appetizer platter, and calamari. The calamari was decent -- not amazing. I am biased with calamari, and only order it at Japanese or Asian-style restaurants. The food could be a little overpriced for those on a college budget, so I would examine the menu carefully before ordering.
They play great music as we had no problem jamming to the mix.
Parking could be tight, but cruise around Ventura Blvd and the side streets and you could probably snag something.
I will definitely return here for a special occasion or for my next group outing. Next time, I think we'll just stick to tea and hookah.
Definitely an upgraded version of the hookah lounges in the area. It's classier, but as most hookah lounges, the majority of their clientele are fooshy pooshy, cake faced, over dressed cocky individuals who lack personality. Â
My experience was slightly enjoyable until I became overheated and uncomfortable. They don't have circulating air it seems. I had to trickle water on my head because I was literally getting to hot in this place. The smoke doesn't help when you're hot. Most of us started taking off our layers because it was so hot. I couldn't enjoy my wine because I felt like I was in a sauna and all I wanted to drink was water. We asked the owner to turn on the air, but I didn't notice a difference and we continued to sweat and take a step outside for fresh and and to cool down.
They had belly dancers which was also a nice addition and the hookah was better then others in the valley.
I'd come here again, but I'd probably come dressed in a nice airy top and try to sit near the door so I get fresh air.
If they only had a dance floor....
I like their Hookah, the Teas, and their service.
Been here twice already, and both times I had very good experience. The crowd is mature, decent, with Arabic music  putting you into middle Eastern moods.
The menus are cool. You open in the dark, and VOILA lighted and bright in your face to choose whatever you like.
I am not going to rate the food because I haven't tried it. I was there both times for Hookah+tea+dessert.
The combo of these three was pretty good. Plus, my company makes all this restaurant hunting experience pretty fun.
Oh, did I mention belly dancers? For those who melt over the sleek hip movements (not me, I'm sure guys do tough), you can have an extra added fun towards your hookah experience.
xoxo
enjoy
Viceroy is probably the most high-end hookah lounge in the valley. The Food has never been that great, but my friends and I go there for Hookah, Tea, and the cool Ambiance.
The European music videos are off the chain! So much sexier than American videos.
Kevin is usually our server and is always super cool. He recommends the best Hookah flavors every time. Ordering Hookah in a fruit bowl is awesome. They put the tobacco in a pineapple which makes it taste great and last forever!
Overall, the ambiance is really what makes Viceroy great! It is gorgeous inside!
Extremely LOUD MUSIC. We can barely hear each other talk. Server wasn't too bad but she's just dumb. They don't come fix your hookah, which usually is included in service at any other hookah place. Service is super slow. We got two hookahs first then ordered another one but it was taking over a half hour so we cancelled it. Hookahs tasted pretty good but I doubt that I come again.
Music is WAY TOO LOUD and REALLY BAD taste.
$7 for beer?
$25 for hookah?
Skylights shooting up in the front?
This place should stick to being what it is, a hookah lounge, instead of trying to be a Hollywood nightclub.
My buddy and I came here 10pm on a Thursday, and it wasn't even half full. We asked to sit outside, but they said all the outside tables (20 of them) were "reserved".....WHO CALLS AHEAD OF TIME TO RESERVE A TABLE AT A HOOKAH LOUNGE?!
So we obliged to sit inside. There was a DJ BLASTING music, and we could barely hear each other talk. We didn't get helped immediately, and it was so hot inside, we got up and left.
This might be the only time I've reviewed a place on Yelp without even ordering anything. I had to share this story so others won't experience the same thing.
Found this place one night when we followed the spotlights over Sherman Oaks on a whim. Â After a short 10 minutes (and no wrong turns), we ended up in front of Viceroy. Â It looked somewhat promising and we later decided to come back for my birthday dinner.
They took our 9 p.m. reservation a week in advance and when we arrived seated us promptly.
On the plus side: great, long-burning, good-hitting hookahs. Â We chose the White Peach and would do it again.
Another plus: The Tiramisu Cheesecake. Â Would've added it as a picture, but devoured it too quick - though I guess a pic of the empty plate would say a lot.
Yet another plus: Our server, Kevin, was appropriately attentive and friendly.
Room for improvement: The Shrimp Entrees
After a great Muttabal (baba ganoush) appetizer I was looking forward to the grilled shrimp kebobs. Â However, they arrived surprisingly tasteless and mushy - not to mention being served alongside french fries and white rice (NOT mentioned on the menu) - nothing to write home about.
While I rarely send food back to the kitchen I had to on principal alone (plus it was my birthday, darn it). Â I opted instead for the shrimp scampi entree that my lovely wife had ordered and found there the taste I'd expected.
BUT the "potato puree" on which the shrimp scampi were set was nothing more than completely bland mashed potatoes - no garlic, no butter, no chives, nothing of anything really. Â Considering the other reviews, go for the chicken.
More Room for Improvement: General Ambiance
My wife said she read online how they are "trying to bring a bit of Vegas to the San Fernando Valley" - if that means almost-too-loud club music set to wall-to-wall video screens serving a gratuitous helping of bikini-clad beach-goers bouncing their jiggly bits then they apparently hit the mark. Â I'd recommend aiming much, much higher.
We were also looking forward to the belly dancers (we had a great time and a good laugh dancing with one at Marrakesh last year for my wife's birthday) who were set to start at 10:30 p.m. Â We figured a 9 p.m. dinner reservation would time everything just right. Â Well, at 11:15 p.m., as we were heading out the dancers finally started up. Â Not necessarily a deal-breaker, just be accurate in your advertising and considerate of your patrons' time.
Verdict: If you're the club-going type, drop in for some late-night apps and a hookah - you might enjoy it.
If you prefer a night at The Robin Hood Pub or Fox N Hounds then head to the pub instead - or a great microbrew at Laurel Tavern if you can elbow your way to a table.
Regarding Viceroy: Alright to visit once, but we don't feel the need to return.
I've never been to a hookah lounge before and i prolly would've never go but it was right next to senor fred's and we needed a change of scenery.
I like their champagne selection and the decor.
Staff was nice, AND i just happen to run into my old buddy from class! So it put me in a good mood.
The hookah was fun and tasty, with the help of my friend, i was able to taste some strawberry margarita and white peach.
MmMmmMmmmmm so good!
The couches were comfy and they were playing sexy music videos... and great music!
I kinda want to go back but I kinda don't....
I really do like this place, a lot. Great vibes, great music, great service. The first time I went, I had SO much fun! Its pretty rare to actually have FUN at a hookah lounge. There were 3-4 pretty belly-dancers who were really fun, danced great, and weren't annoying.The decor is beautiful, very classy and unique. The food is pretty good for the price. Good food, music, entertainment, chill crowd, a fashion show on tv, friendly staff.. LOVE.
The only complaint I have is the Hookah..
Like previously said, it burns FAST. For $23(if i remember correctly) the "specialty" flavors should last much much longer. Using and REusing cheap coals is only going to draw people away, no matter how amazing everything else is. As much as I love this place, nothing killed my last experience there more then the harsh hookah(and the throat ache after). I might not be a "hookah expert", but I have been smoking it for 5+ years now, so I do know a thing or two; especially my Starbuzz and Al-Fakher flavors. And if I'm not mistaken, tobacco is being reused also.. Big NO NO. I understand the guy (curly hair) genuinely wanted us to enjoy our hookah, but continuously bringing us his "special mixes" with used tobacco, didn't help the situation. You're not fooling anyone..
Like I said before, I really do like this place and I would love to see it succeed. Its about time we have a classy hookah lounge in the valley. Hopefully, management will take their choice in coals and tobacco into consideration. Other then that, Viceroy has the potential to be the BEST spot in LA, and I recommend it to anyone..
I was on my way to a restaurant in Sherman Oaks to grab drinks and appetizers with my girlfriends. When I pulled up, I realized there was a new place next door called VICEROY" and decided to check it out instead. There was great music playing and huge light beams lighting up the sky to bring in customers. Well in our case, it worked! Very inviting. We soon realized the restaurant also served hookah, which was originally going to be our second stop for the night.
The place itself was beautifully decorated. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly; from the security guard in the front, to the host, Lucy, our server, Irene, and the guy who was fixing our hookah for us, David. (I always make sure to ask everyone their names.)
We sat out on the patio, which was very comfortable because there were heaters outside. Our server, Irene, made very helpful and honest suggestions. We each ordered a glass of red wine and each glass was equally delicious- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir...YUM! I ordered the Seasoned Steak Fries and my friend had the Calamari. My fries were yummy and filling but, the calamari, although smelled delicious, tasted very dry and cardboard-like. I personally think they could do without it on the menu.
We ordered a White Peach/White Grape hookah. It was just okay and for some reason seemed to have burned out pretty quickly so, David made sure to do everything he could to fix the problem for us. He ended up bringing us his own specialty mix and it was GREAT. I named it the "David Deluxe." It was very sweet and yummy with Honey Dew, Mango, and I think Peach or Melon.
The DJ's music definitely got my girlfriends and I in the mood for dancing, especially after a few glasses of wine. It was a nice night and I will definitely go to the Viceroy again. I recommend it for a chill night out with your friends.