Mediterranean Hookah Lounge and Cafe

This place was kind of like falling into bizarro-​world. I love hookah, so I will definitely go back, but probably not on karaōke night.
The building itself is situated on the edge of a trailer park. It’s very David Lynch-​esque when you’re driving up the winding access road (77 Sirloin Strip – yeah, really – like steak). When you walk in, it looks like the kind of dive bar you’d imagine Kenny Rogers must frequent. The clientele represent all ages and walks of life. The bartenders are quite friendly, but I got charged $ 14 for a double. When that happens, I stop buying drinks. $ 14 for a double is ridiculous. $ 14 for a double in the middle of a trailer park? That’s just effing crazy.
The karaōke leaves a bit to be desired (disclaimer: I’m not a fan of karaōke anyway). The music itself is mostly those karaōke-​specific covers that sound like a synthesized broadway version of whatever you’re singing. Kind of annoying. I couldn’t decide if the poor sound quality was an error on the DJ’s part, or just bad acoustics. Either way, it was a bit painful.
I did really enjoy sitting in the easy chairs and hitting that hookah. Individual mouth thingies are provided (hooray for being sanitary!). Next time, I’ll sit in the dining room, away from the bar. And next time, I’ll pre-​game so I’m not paying for drinks that cost way too much.
One last thing – the bathrooms are a little scary. Doors don’t quite lock, and as my friend said, the toilet seats look like they got into a fight with some battery acid. I’d like them to take all my drink money and fix up the bathrooms a little. lol

This place is pretty interesting. I am of odd bars, so obviously I was pretty stoked to come here for a friend’s birthday. She describes it as «gay hookah mediterranean tranny trailer park karaōke» and I can honestly say I saw every part of that description in living color at this wonderfully divey hole in the wall. The bartender was cool, the karaōke was in full swing, and the establishment was most definitely located in a trailer park. Rock on, Madison.
Can’t comment on the café part, but I’ve heard it’s pretty good so I’ll probably check that out sometime.

I had high hopes but sorry I can’t recommend this place. The baba ghanouj was ok, the rest was fair at best and the fatayar was burned. We were literally ignored by our server the last 20 minutes when trying to leave. She wouldn’t make eye contact and our family stood for six minutes by our chairs indicating we had to go. The server went into the kitchen and never came back and I had to just put some money on the table. We left without ever receiving a bill.

Don’t judge a book by its cover. This place is located in a Mobile home area, but it has a lot to offer! There is one side that is a bar area, more for drinking. The other side, the ‘hookah side,’ is much more classy. My boyfriend and I almost left before we realized there was a dinner section as well. One Hookah is $ 22 for one flavor. The food came very fast. There are belly dancers on Fridays and Saturdays! We had the ‘Double Apple’ flavor and it as great! Server was a little slow, but she was new. All together is was a great experience and I will go back!

I haven’t had the food there. I came here with a buddy on a karoake wedsnday night. Karoake is always fun. But the place was boring and weird crowd. I will have to try a different hookah lounge. There aren’t many. But I will have to pass on this one next time.

Was craving hookah last night and falafel. Used to frequent a place out of town that had very authentic Mediterranean cuisine and over 100 tobacco flavors/​combinations to choose from. This place made me long for my former city. I will give it props for delicious and well seasoned falafel, however I can’t look past the dingy interior, overpriced hookah and inedible fatayer. The menu was also extremely limited with only 3 red wine selections. Pours weren’t generous considering the $ 8 price tag for a lowly ménage a trois.

I was not sure what to expect when I came to this Hookah lounge. The location is a little odd. It is right next to a trailer park… but the restaurant is really nice inside. Their hookah is actually well done and the mint was good. There is karaōke which has some regulars that are actually pretty decent. They also have a full bar and a nice bartender. The food was surprisingly good. I have found that when a location tries to do too many things they almost always fail at something, but not here. If you are looking to meet women though this is not the place…

We really had a good time here! Had a few beers, a bottle of Riesling, and cherry flavored hookah for $ 80 before tip.
The hookahs are $ 22 and refills ½ off.
They even had fish fry for $ 12 and by the signs of the full dining room, it had to be pretty good.
Belly dancing was at 9:30pm but only in a certain area and only for 15 min. We’re sad to say we missed it.
Staff are very nice and the karaōke looked like a blast. Definitely will come back and check out what the rest of the place has to offer!

Please give this place a try, you will definitely be pleasantly surprised.
I was amazed by the delicious food, relaxing and classy atmosphere, and the excellent service. If you are looking for a somewhat hidden treasure, this place is really it.

Very inviting wait staff and such a warming atmosphere here at Mediterranean! Great for a group gathering or just a small get together of two. Great drink specials and with a late night appetizer menu you can’t go wrong. Gotta check this place out!

Wonderful food, entertainment and friendly staff. John was very knowledgeable of the menu friendly and attentive. Great atmosphere! And they have karaōke!

Wow, who knew? Great Mediterranean food on a hill in a trailer park overlooking the Beltline. Excellent service, great belly dancing, hookahs on almost every table. Highlights included chicken kabob with fresh grilled veggies and chicken on bed of incredible couscous, Mediterranean pasta and falafel. Only negative was they were sold out off eggplant parm from the night before!

This place is such a trip.
I’ve been here many a Friday/​Saturday night to watch some belly dancing (every Friday and Saturday at 8 and 9:30pm) with some friends. The dancers are usually very good, though I have been disappointed on occasion. The dancers dance throughout the lounge, and it’s pretty chill, so if watching belly dancing is not your thing, you can kind of ignore it and continue your conversation/​hookah smoking/​drinking. There are a lot of hookah flavors to choose from, and there are several decent drink specials ($ 4 old fashioneds on Fridays). My boyfriend got a burger there the other night and said it was really good.
What’s really interesting about this place is the fact that it is 2 bars in one building, with two completely different vibes. There’s the hookah lounge, which is a slightly more upscale-​feeling restaurant-​type space. Then, just down the hall, is a divey karaōke bar that definitely feels more like it belongs in the trailer park in which the building is actually located. I say this latter comment with no disrespect, because I have had a lot of fun in that bar. The karaōke screen is in a corner, so you don’t have to look at other people when you sing, if you’re a little embarrassed/​nervous (as I of course was). There’s usually a pretty congenial feel, and the karaōke MC is funny and welcoming.

I LOVE this place. This is one of my favorite places in Madison. Ignore the surrounding area and the look of the building from the outside. The hookah is amazing. I’ve been hookah’ing at home for three years and I can never seem to get it as good as their’s. Their food on the weekends is also amazing. I don’t usually care for the appetizers during the week, though. The atmosphere is prefect. It’s so relaxing and comfortable. One of my favorite things about this place is the belly dancing! Anya Sofia is the best! I go every time she dances! The owner is a really great friendly guy too. Overall this place is great!

Great food, excellent service. Belly dancing on the lounge side was great.
The bar side is a good place to karaōke.
The location is strange as it is basically on the edge of a trailer park, but don’t let that stop you because inside it is nice.

This place is fantastic! I wish we had one like this in Minneapolis. They offer a full-​service bar, delicious mediterranean food, plush couches and chairs to sit on as well as a wide variety of sheesha to choose from.
The location is a little odd since it is in an auto mall but once you get inside, it is completely worth it!
Check them out for something a little different to do :)

There’s a lot to love about the Hookah Lounge and Café once you get past it’s tough exterior shell. (Seriously close one eye on the drive up the hill no matter which way you go and avoid looking around too closely as you go inside. Once through the door, eyes open. Take it all in.) [1] But let’s be honest, a lot of things have a tough exterior and delicious insides.
M&Ms
Star Fruit
Cornucopias
the list goes on
I suggest you start your evening in the bar area. The Friday I was there, there were some inexpensive drink specials, and the space is so large that even when I arrived around 6 it hadn’t filled up. You’re not going to get the full experience sitting at the bar, so after a bev or two (you can take unfinished drinks with) walk over to the café part. There’s another bar (win!) and a smattering of tables. The menu has a number of options sure to please anyone’s propensity for Mediterranean. I got the shaved lamb plate and couldn’t polish it off, it’s seriously huge. Your meal will start with some pita and Zatar (look it up) which is an über authentic way to get things going.
Didn’t stay for the hookah or for the belly dancing. I get super uncomfortable when those ladies get close. Personal space please, personal space.
[1] Don’t actually close one eye. That would be dangerous. Unless you’re trained.

The fact that this place is located on Sirloin Strip on the edge of a trailer park that overlooks the Beltline highway can be misleading.
It’s a good spot for Mediterranean food (at least in Madison). Service is pretty attentive and if you are lucky you will smoke a hookah and see a belly dancer. The other half of the building is a divey karaōke bar with a much more local crowd.
Food — 3.5 stars
Atmosphere /​uniqueness /​service — 4.5 stars

I LOVE the Hookah Lounge! I have been coming here once or twice a month for a few years now, almost always on Friday and Saturday nights to watch belly dancing.
Food is good, I usually go for the Friday Fish or Shrimp Scampi. Once I had a prime rib special that was also terrific.
The martinis are pricey, usually $ 7 to $ 8, but they don’t skimp on alcohol, especially when Billy is behind the bar :) One or two and I’m good for the night! They also have drink specials, like $ 4 Old Fashioneds, or $ 3.50 Leinie’s pints.
I tried a Hookah for the first time a few weeks ago, and it’s quite enjoyable. It is tobacco but it doesn’t give you that scorched lung feel, the taste is great and the smoke dissapates. Four of us shared a mango hookah and it seemed to last forever, though by the end I was a little tired of the flavor, but mango isn’t my favorite to start with.
I went one Sunday on for a Packer game, and it was a nice little crowd, plus free shots when the Packers score a touchdown.
I’ve never been for Karaōke, but that’s another popular draw.
The location is kinda random (in the middle of a trailor park!) but it sure beats the overcrowding and limited parking downtown.
LGBTQ friendly.

Very good food, decent drinks, but the hookahs are the big draw. I don’t really smoke, but I love the rose-​flavored tobacco drawn through the big water pipes. Very mild and it’s supposed to be all natural. Mideastern cuisine is their specialty, but the duck is very tender.