VIBE

This medieval-themed café and hookah bar is an East Village favorite, especially during the summertime. Starry-eyed couples and quiet conversers come to unwind in three lovely settings: the Dining Room (decked with gargoyles, suits of armor, period swords, and stained glass windows acquired from an actual church), the Garden (an outdoor patio with a working fountain and greenery hanging from an overhead lattice) and the Hookah Lounge (a chill space with trippy murals). This place is one of the more affordable spots in the neighborhood, especially considering its beautifully lush surrounds and romantic ambiance.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Keep it casual; a simple tee shirt and capris with sassy flats.

GO HERE WITH

A few friends; significant other; a date

CROWD

East Village locals, hookah fans, and a handful of couples looking to keep it low-key.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The charming outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two, especially during the warmer months. And we love the hookah (with more than 40 flavors available to boot!)–they’re increasingly hard to find in NYC.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The drinks are nothing to write home about.

GOOD TO KNOW

Happy hour runs in the early evening every day. No need to fret about the exposed layout during the chillier months–they use a wood-burning stove during the winter to keep guests warm. And at ease sports fanatics: the large screen television in the Hookah Lounge is usually tuned in to the game.

CLOSEST COMPS

Le Bazar Egyptien (Paris)

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