The Hookah Lounge

I’ve camped with the Hookah Lounge for two Burns — 2014 and 2015 — and probably the best review I can give is to say that I am excited to be heading back there again for 2016! Let’s start with the basics… well, they are basics in the real world but luxuries on the playa. There is a pretty good sized communal shade structure with plenty of seating for campers and passers by as well. Speaking of passers by, the Lounge has had prime placement on A in the 4:00 sector. One block off the Esplanade and a couple blocks over from Center Camp mean easy access and plenty of company from neighboring Burners but a little less traffic than being right on the main thoroughfares, which is nice when it comes time to try to catch a couple hours sleep.
In addition to the shade structure are several shower stalls. You have to supply your own water, but having a place to wash off the dust is a luxury that one can’t fully appreciate until being there. As part of the Black Rock Power Co-​op village, there are generators available to power/​charge smaller devices, or if you are in an RV, to plug in for the entire week.
Of course, there is the camp’s namesake — the hookahs, every evening just after sundown. Taking a few puffs with friends is a great way to start the evening adventures.
But the thing that probably sets the Hookah Lounge apart the most is the food. Every evening at sundown, Kim rolls out a feast for all camp members. There are at least 10 things from which to choose, with a little something for the carnivores to the vegans and everyone in between.
On top of all that, I’ve not met anyone in camp that I didn’t like. In fact, several camp mates have become great off-​playa friends.
Kim and F’jord are great hosts. The contribution to camp at the Lounge is incredibly reasonable, and unlike many other camps with similar amenities, there are no assigned work details. Everyone is expected to help with MOOP pickup throughout the week and to help carry out a garbage bag or two at the end, but that’s a small price to pay for the flexibility to camp with great people, have a nice home-​cooked dinner every night and have freedom to Burn your own way.

Hookah Lounge is absolutely one of the best camps I have stayed in at Burning Man. I stayed with Kim and Fjord’s Hookah Lounge for Burning Man 2013. I arrived late and stressed out on Monday night after waiting for 3 ½ hours to get though the gate. When I arrived Fjord jumped up and helped with camp placement. Kim jumped in and fed us. Great first meeting!
The next day we got settled and got to know the camp better. Without going overboard on all the nice things I can say… I’ll sum it up so I don’t type for hours on how amazing it is.
The Camp Coordinators (Kim and Fjord) = A+
The Camp Location = A+
The food that was provided = A+++
The showers = A
All around I would stay here again and again and again. If you read my other Unilocal postings you will know that I am very critical about my reviews. So what you read is what you get with me. NO BULLSHIT!
The food was amazing. Every night there was something different. Lobster raviolis on the playa? YES!!! Bourbon Chicken on the playa??? YES!!! Scallops on the Playa? YES YES YES!!! I am a foodie and the food was F*%@ amazing for a Burning Man experience. They rocked it out!
When I found out about Hookah Lounge I contacted Kim and Fjord. I spoke to both of them several times. Choosing a camp at Burning Man is vital and will make or break your experience. Let me tell you that it totally made my experience. Everything… I mean everything was awesome. No complaints!
Anyhow, if you get the opportunity to go to Burning Man and you need to pick a camp. Pick Hookah Lounge! You won’t be sorry! I promise you!

Phenomenal camp, food that is nothing short of amazing, and friendly, fantastic people. I ended up spending more time at hookah lounge this year at burning man than my own camp. Can’t wait to go back next year, thank you so much to everyone at the hookah lounge for making my first burn as awesome as it was!

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD; A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A NEIGHBOR
Hi neighbors! Having camped next to the folks over at Hookah Lounge for the last few years, I’ve been able to get to know some of the members fairly well. I wish Unilocal had people reviews because I have so many wonderful things to say about these pepole. But I’ll try to stick to reviewing the Lounge instead.
Wonderful, welcoming, warm. That’s the general atmosphere you get when you walk up to this friendly camp with its collection of seating that includes: pillows, chairs, bean bags and other comfy items. You can relax here, cozy up, or hang out and play some chess. All while having your hookah needs tended to. The place is clean and the hookahs are tasty. Lots of flavors.
Note: I noticed some people had personal caps they put over the mouthpiece of the hookah, so as not to have to share with others. A good idea if youre wary of germs.
This camp is also notorious for taking care of the people camped there (and their neighbors!!) which includes letting us share a few meals with them. And when I say meal, they feast all gourmet-​like. Lots of folks bring their kitchen magic to the playa, but I imagine Kim would win a playa-​cook-​off. It’s unreal. And lots of work goes into it, as if she didn’t have tons of other stuff she could be doing, this is an amazing gift if you’re lucky enough to enjoy an evening with this camp.
There are a lot of great camps at BurningMan. If you haven’t been to the event, it’s too much to explain. If you have been, you know that even if you wanted to, you could never visit all the wonderfully unique camps in a week. Especially because part of stopping in at a camp is getting to meet the people camped there. And experience the playa gift they’ve brought. Aside from all the hookahs and food, the best gift from this camp is the people.
Happy burning!

I stayed with the hookah lounge for my first burn this year and could not have asked for a better camp. The food is great (a different theme for the dinner every night) and the people are friendly and welcoming! The shower tents were an added bonus and very much appreciated. I personally don’t smoke, but hanging around the hookahs was a great way to meet interesting people from all around the playa. Also, since it is the hookah lounge, there is a tented area with a ton of seating and air mattresses so you can just lounge around. .. This is key for the daytime when it’s scorching outside!

I camped with the Hookah Lounge for BM2011 and could not have chosen a better camp to join. I loved coming back to the lounge in the wee hours of the morning and sharing a hookah with the other wanderers as well as lounging there during the day. The cushions and chairs made the lounge very inviting and a great place to relax. Sometimes you need to get away from all the loud noises and lasers and the Hookah Lounge was perfect!

The Hookah Lounge, is, and always will be evolving, and growing to more effectively meet the needs of those who camp there. The food is prepared with the best ingredients, the most important of which is love. They take pride in making your experience as amazing and majickal as it can be, providing a great deal more than average playa standards from burger nights ranging from beef to chicken to lamb and salmon to exotic mediterranean fare it is an experience you will not soon forget.
Namaste,
Liesl…aka the Caramel Covered Redhead

Hookah lounge was awesome! Great, hospitable people and great times. Made be feel right at Home ;)