Art Hookah Lounge

Great place, great staff, my favorite relax place in San Diego. Come here every weekend.

Super spacious and super nice hookah lounge.
I think this is the only hookah lounge that I know of that has so much room.
Not only do they have tables and couches for large groups, but they also have bar seating for smaller groups.
You can get a regular hookah for $ 25
or a super fancy glowing fruit hookah for $ 40
Not bad for the price. Definitely not cheap but you get what you pay for.
They also have really delicious teas.
So far i’ve only had the coconut pineapple tea and it was amazing. No sugar needed.
I love all the paintings and décor of this place.
Great vibes and great service.

This place is really good! Amazing service! And most importantly amazing hookahs! It is very well priced and the staff was very friendly. We weren’t enjoying the shisha we had in one of our hookahs so they immediately swapped it with a different one. They also have really amazing Art hookahs with fruit bowls! Overall an amazing atmosphere and an amazing experience, I highly recommend this place for hookah rookies and veterans alike!

Aw this place is such a great find!
I go to hookah places all the time and have definitely added this to one of my favorite spots in SD
When you walk in you instantly feel the ambiance. Perfect lighting with a library feel in the back. The music is best described as mellow-​sounds like a Kygo station is always playing. This place is open till 4 a.m., which makes it the perfect spot to relax and spend the evening playing cards, sharing tea and conversation. If you can’t decide on a flavor: star buzz blue mist with mint (always a great choice).
You can choose between having a regular hookah ($ 25) or the art hookah ($ 40). The art hookah is an awesome glass piece that has multiple different options for heads (apple, pineapple, etc) and they add lime, strawberries, lemon to the water!
The manager is Russian so all of the workers there are Russian. Hey! Doesn’t hurt to have someone with a sexy accent help you out

It was expensive but it was worth it. Definitely special occasion hookah, the Art hookah I mean. I went with my friend and her boyfriend after a baby shower (we all don’t have kids). And was great, After you figure out the ordering process and the flavors its magical. Seriously, when it comes out it looking like a feat of apothecary madness! It was fun and incredibly smooth!
Over all the place has an eastern-​european vibe, which is different and kind of refreshing for downtown, so over all it’s a great place. My friends and I smoked and played Cards Against Humanity, always a good time.

Had my first nice evening there with friends, used to go to Divan, few blocks yonder, but this place is what i prefer now. Its warm atmosphere in the cold winter and the beautiful interior design what got my attention.
Accept me as a frequent costumer.
Five damn stars.

We were in town and looking for a nice hookah bar to go to on a Saturday night. When we first arrived there was a wait so we sat at the bar until a table opened up. Everyone who works here is extremely friendly and helpful. Not being from SD and used to the typical average hookah bars in LA, I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of this place as well as the knowledge of the staff.
Both my bf and I are very into hookah and we were so impressed. We ordered the art hookah which came with a pineapple head. each hookah is cleaned every single time per customer which RARELY happens nowadays. The hookah was filled with tons of ice and cold water as well as fresh cut fruit and coffee beans!!! So impressive. Next, we had never tried tangeers tobacco and our server packed our bowl especially with that. We also had hot tea which was perfect and enough for two!
If you order the glass art hookah, you get 20% off when you check in on Unilocal!I highly recommend coming here if you’re looking for a nice clean hookah as well as amazing service. I wish there was a place like this back home in LA. I would definitely come back.

The owner, Oleg, really knows how to treat his customers well. The atmosphere is awesome, the tobacco is also top notch, and I really enjoy bringing my friends here. I met Oleg at another hookah lounge in San Diego and developed a rapport with him, so when he told me he was opening up a hookah lounge downtown, I was pretty excited. I couldn’t manage to get there for a while, but after seeing the place on Unilocal and hearing about it from my friends, I decided to check it out for myself– Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I got there.
The location is a short walk away from the Gaslamp Quarter and, as a result, doesn’t get too much noise from outside (thankfully) — perfect to chill and smoke hookah.
The first thing you notice is obviously the atmosphere, which is very mellow and toned down. The hookah «curtain» was particularly cool. You can tell that someone really talented designed the look of this place and it is very functional; the back of the lounge looks like someone’s living room– there’s even a built in bookshelf and game trophies on the wall, which give the place a quirky vibe. They also play good music.
The staff is very helpful and friendly– I saw nothing but smiles from everyone who worked there, even though I wasn’t a regular. You order your hookahs at the bar to the side of the place, behind which is the «kitchen,» where they make the hookahs (another house metaphor).
You can order specific mixes (eg fruit flavors, coffee flavors, etc.) OR you can ask for something «Fresh,» «Fruity,» or «Sweet,» and let the staff make something for you from the brand of your choice– They have Nakhla, Al Fakher, Social Smoke, Starbuzz and Fumari, of which I decidedly prefer Nakhla and Al Fakher.
The hookah is really good her, as well. Smoking times of 3 hours without it (the hookah) getting harsh are not uncommon here, because they use really high grade tobacco, coconut coals, and quality hookahs. Sidenote– If you ever go to a hookah lounge, talk to the people next to you and ask how their bowl is going– Ask them how long they have been smoking that bowl, if it’s harsh or not, etc. You’ll get a good indication of whether you will enjoy yours or not.
Overall, I can’t say enough good things about Art Hookah. The only 2 things that I would complain about is that its far from where I live and its somewhat more expensive than most hookah lounges (although the price is ok relative to other lounges in Downtown). They do have happy hour specials, so if you’re there early, the hookahs cost a lot less.
Long review, I know. Deal with it.

I am so glad that we happened to stumble onto such an amazing hookah lounge! It’s located on the outskirts of Gaslamp (right across the street from Boiling Crab). Parking can be annoying but that’s expected with any downtown parking. We decided to hookah (friends were visiting) and this was the closest one. When we first came in, they were full and we had started looking else where. However, a table opened up and the lovely (and GORGEOUS) hostess came out and told us that they had a table for us!
The ambiance in here is awesome. Of course, there’s smoke from all the hookah’s but it’s nice and roomy and there’s actually LIGHT in here so you can see who you’re actually talking to (not bright light, just brighter than normal hookah lounges). Our waiter seemed really young but was really informative and checked up on us regularly. We weren’t sure what to get so we told him what kind of taste we were looking for and he pretty much just helped us pick flavors. There’s regular hookahs for $ 25 ($ 12 for refills) and art hookahs for $ 40 ($ 20 for refills). There were 6 of us and we decided to go with 2 art hookahs (YOLO :p haha jk). The hookah itself was very entertaining, bright lights that changed colors. However, the quality of it was amazing. We were there for probably 3 – 4 hours and the smoke never got too harsh like it usually does. Our waiter came and checked on us regularly and changed out our coals when necessary.
They have teas, drinks, and smoothies but no alcoholic drinks. They don’t really have food either (acai bowl and yogurt I think were their options) so maybe something to add or consider in the future! Overall, LOVED this place and I’ll definitely be back.

I finally came here last night with my boyfriend after hearing such great things about it! Everything about our experience was wonderful. Tolmas gave such great service and made sure everything was good. My boyfriend and I ordered the «Art Hookah» and it was definitely worth it. We opted for the fruity flavor and enjoyed it. Hands down one of the best hookahs I’ve had. The lounge is very clean and does not smell like smoke at all. Art Hookah uses top quality hookahs, which is a big deal to me. Very laid-​back atmosphere with lounge-​like music, which I enjoy. I’m tired of the wannabe club scene hookah bars and this place definitely was a nice refresher. If you’re looking for a clean, classy place to smoke hookah with soft, chill music you have to check this place out.

The best hookah in city) nice waitress, good tea)
Also you can charge your device. wife

Came in with my girlfriend tonight! I have been here once before and both times I have had WONDERFUL service! The hookah is amazing, there are plenty of hookah lounges in San Diego but Art Hookah is one of a kind! The atmosphere is modern and laid back! We smoked our bowl for 3 hours, it never got harsh, very smooth with vibrant flavor the entire time! They have plenty of different options from sweet to fresh to fruity, using different types of shisha which is wonderful because they really make it personal! It is a true art here! On top of having wonderful hookah, Tolmas is AMAZING!!! The best customer service in town! He is hilarious, he has some pretty awesome jokes! He tries to interact with customers every time he walks by! He took great care of us! I can’t wait to come back!!!
Thanks Tolmas for being attentive!

Came in here with my baby mama for the first time and was pleasantly surprised at the level of service provided especially given it was a slower time of day. We got some tea and hookah and didn’t realize it also included in-​house entertainment in the form of Tolmas. The quality of tea and hookah was highly apparent. In fact, I felt so classy I smoked the hookah the entire time with my right pinky elevated (true story).
Also it certainly helped that the staff was extremely attentive and life lessons were imparted in the form of comic lines from Tolmas. Ask him what happens to people who have nothing to do.

Not surprised at all that this place has 5 stars with the amount of reviews, I am worried that it’s going to get too popular! :)
Great décor, very relaxed and chill, and great service. The music in the background was just the right level of volume, and same with the lighting, it’s lighter than most hookah bars but still gives it a romantic ambience. The hookahs are gorgeous themselves, bright with colors as well as just the normal hookahs. I’d say that they are pretty pricy BUT they last a long time too, and great taste! They also have all kinds of different teas and drinks that you can get, no alcohol though.
I have to say that I’m pretty hooked, I am eager to go back to this place and just lounge around and smoke, great place!!! :) bombdotcom in my book!

Great hookahs and variety of hand-​picked teas. But mostly important: Acai Bowl with fruits and honey. Yamy process starts now.

I found the place out through a friend of mine, both of us are casual hookah smokers. Once I entered the lounge I was instantly blown away on how relaxed this place is, atmosphere the decorations and hospitality. The music is not loud at all, you can have a normal conversation with friends without shouting to them to get over the music. Alex who makes the hookah behind the counter knows how to make a great bowl! From a relaxing, mellow flavor to a berry flavored bowl. If you don’t know what to some to make your kind up just ask Alex to something that he likes, you will kit regret it at all! Rather than using classic metal hookahs they use Regal kooahs and Art Hookah that hit every well on any occasion and look great!
I would not go to any other lounges in Downtown San Diego other than Art Hookah Lounge! Thanks for the great hospitality and shout outs to Dennis, Alex and Oleg for opening this place up!

30% off your entire check with Unilocal check-​in so don’t forget!
Chocolate mint: We ordered this combination flavor. I love chocolate. i love mint. i love them two together! Sounds kind of weird for hookah but try it! ;)
Pros:
–pretty, glowing hookahs! We had this pineapple leaf stand thingy for the coals. so pretty! There was only one hose but a mouth piece for each person :)
–The couches were comfy! each table had a pretty assortment of small, tiny flowers as décor with a lit candle
–cute small, fluffy, colorful pillows on couches
–there are board games by the wall shelves
–pretty decent, chill, lounge-​y music
Cons:
–there are teas and smoothies, but no food to order?! Saw a couple next to us bring takeout in and eat it so I guess you can bring takeout in? Only reason why I knock one star off

Great atmosphere for lazy evening. That feeling when you want to go out but u don’t want all that nosiness at the bar or night club, just something cool and chill. This place would be perfect. Went there with couple of my friends a few days ago. Service was awesome! Guys there are super friendly and helpful couz we didn’t know what kind of flavor to get, so they choose for us and it was really good. we got our hookah really fast and it was perfectly made. Great job! We will definitely come back!
One more thing I have to say is amazing music! love it!

Just found my new favorite hookah spot! Come say hi to Oleg and Dennis at downtown’s newest spot! Super friendly, great service. Art Hookah manufactures their own hookahs, and the quality of these things are the best I’ve ever had. Made me want to sing like Drake… they also are the only hookah lounge to offer more premium tobaccos that enhance the flavor and experience.
The ambiance is A+, very very nice inside and relaxing. Decently priced for what you’d expect in downtown. They are giving 30% off to customers who check in on Unilocal.See you soon guys.
HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Hookah connoisseurs rejoice– Art Hookah Lounge is the first legitimate hookah lounge in the Gaslamp that approaches hookah preparation like art, just like the lounge’s name suggests.
The staff at this place are trained by the true hookah masters. When you order a hookah you know that you will not be coughing in ten minutes because these guys use the best quality product. This quality is not just evident in their tobaccos, but in their coals, hookahs and even their hookah hoses!
The atmosphere is also impressive. The owners went above in beyond to provide their customers a comfortable, modern and enjoyable spot to hang out with their friends and enjoy quality hookah.
Finally, the owners of this lounge manufacture their own, glass hookahs. If you get a chance, try smoking from their signature Art Hookah. It’s a completely different experience, which is definitely worth a few extra bucks.
Hookah lovers– enjoy this gem!