Sphinx Cafe

Worst place ever!!!
Hookah sucksss!
Service is terrible! The guy literally told me not to come back if I was not happy!!!
Seriously «not okay» !!
Lack of professionalism !!

Seems to be a popular hookah lounge. Many places to sit, along with plenty of staff to keep your hookah fresh. Seems to be a very chill environment with hipster music that isn’t too loud. Definitely a cool place to smoke if you are up for it!

I’ve read a lot of not-​so-​great reviews on here, and I’m kind of surprised, because I had a really good time here. If I had to complain about anything, it’s that I didn’t find out that their card readers were down and I had to get cash out of a charge ATM. Other than that though, I really enjoyed my experience here. The atmosphere was relaxing, but it also made me feel like I was somewhere fun at the same time. I liked the hookah I smoked, and the guy who was our server was really nice, and quick to get us anything we needed. I was able to get my hookah in a relatively short amount of time, and I stayed for quite a while too. Check it out if you get the chance. Just make sure to get there relatively early so you can find parking.

Worst hookah bar ever. Hookah is subpar. No music. 5 $ byob which is not displayed on the front door. Colorful chairs that look nice but are hard plastic that are uncomfortable. Only good thing is that the waiter can’t remember her name is very nice. So Unilocal folks, if ur looking for hookah look elsewhere because this isn’t it. 1 star for Sphinx.

After my prior review, I went to purchase a new Khalil Mamoon hookah from the Sphinx. The entire experience left me feeling insulted and extremely frustrated. If anyone knows anything about hookah towers, it’s that Khalil’s are easily the best on the market. With quality, however, comes a price. Your average 3 – 4 foot KM goes for anything from $ 100-​$ 200, depending on customization, size, etc. I was lead to the front of the room where they had an open display of all their hookahs that I was told were brand new and unused. I noticed a few were clearly not brand new and were obviously owned by prior hookah smokers. I searched until I found a gold and black inlay Khalil with a grand design to it. It looked to be spotless. I was willing to shell out the $ 125, as proper treatment/​care of a Khalil will allow you to use it for literally your entire life. After the girl waiting on me took it off the shelf, she said they didn’t have a box for it. After 20 minutes of waiting (while my girlfriend was growing impatient outside) she returned with what was essentially a few pieces of long cardboard duct taped together. Clearly they didn’t have the original box. I was told with my purchase comes a free shisha bowl and 100 grams of their own house mix. The bowl itself was way too small, cracked (then a hack job of a repair was done to it), and ultimately useless for this hookah. On the back of the kitchen is a whiteboard where management encourages employees to sell shisha that isn’t selling too well. The two on the list? Apple/​Cinnamon. What mix did I get with my hookah? 100 grams of clearly stale apple/​cinnamon. Wonderful. I took my hookah to another hookah bar in South Side where I smoke with friends, and then the s**t really hit the fan. The weld of the tip of the hookah where the bowl goes clearly broke off at some point, and was poorly welded back on, ruining the fine and ornate design where the ash tray would lay. The ash tray itself was not Khalil, but some dented piece of sheet metal made by a Neanderthal. The tower itself had no valve and ball where you can blow out smoke, because it was completely snapped off and missing. The tower was also NOT the right size for the base and would not properly fit into it, meaning it wobbled around, which is a huge strike for the fact that the coals could easily be knocked off. The base itself is where I was most infuriated. The beautiful, ornate designs that Khalil is known for was clearly scratched off at some point, and repainted by someone with mere wall paint. I rubbed it all off with a DRY paper towel and now there’s nothing on it. Plain as can be. I’ve never felt so cheated and insulted that a place would try something as snake-​ish as this. The owner gave me the typical «no returns» policy, was incredibly rude, and wouldn’t even see my hookah for me to explain my case. For my final recommendation; Head to Sahara Hookah. 1205, East Carson Street. The Sphinx is TRASH.

I guess if Sphinx was close to home rather than being almost 400 miles away I would probably give them another shot. Atmosphere was really kind of cool, with comfy couches kitschy seating and, surprisingly, patio furniture that I suppose was there to save money on décor. Being in an old church really added quite a bit visually and I was more than pleased.
Rules abound here. No touching the hookas. Have ID ready. No cigar smoking.
Hooka was on par with anything else I’ve had although the two of us shot through it much quicker than we had at other places. Food was okay but nothing to write home about. Since there’s little competition in that area, I assume that they can draw crowds without having to set the cuisine bar all that high. Worth mentioning is that even though everyone was smoking, it really wasn’t smoky. Ventilation is top notch although I think the 30 foot ceiling also may have had something to do with it. My clothing didn’t smell afterwards either.
Our server was quite pleasant and attentive even though he was responsible for taking care of the entire room. I was, however, kind of confused when I received the check and there was a $ 5 service charge. WTF is a service charge? I don’t think it was a gratuity because it didn’t say so. I guess it’s just money that they tack on because… wait, I don’t know why. For a hooka, pot of tea, felafel and an order of houmous, it was $ 55. Really no big deal but if I was a student, as much of their clientele seems to be, not sure how often I would splurge. Solid 3 Stars.

I gave two stars just because the atmosphere was nice and the chairs were cool because they lit up. Anyways, I am extremely appalled at what kind of business sucks you dry for your money like that. Scammed into VIP for $ 2 per person because the «service is better,» yet we waited 45 mins to get our hookah. Not to mention they did not touch the coals once after the initial setting of them. Barely saw the guy working but when I did he made sure to try to nonchalantly add something to my bill. Did not mention anything would be extra, just asked if you would LIKE to add this this this this and that… As casual as he could into conversation. (not to mention bottled water was 2.50)
****you must buy drinks with your hookah**** not sure what kind of rule that is but hey, whatever gets your money. All drinks averaging from about 4.50−6 $ each.
Terrible service and terrible rip off. Recommend going to south side opposed to this cheap place

Sphinx isn’t the best hookah I’ve ever had, but it’s a great place to relax and catch up with friends. That being said, however, do not come in a hurry because service is extremely slow. Emily is a really fun person who typically has great recommendations every time I visit, but I tend to go with some variation of my favorite (pro tip: Starbuzz Pirates Cave… it’s a few $ extra, but it tastes like Skittles). Hookah of the day is half off (or at least it was my freshman year), so ask about that.
Expect to park on the street since it’s South Oakland. The whole «smoking in an old church» feels risqué, but Pittsburgh has an obsession with turning old churches into things, so I’m desensitized.

Horrible service, subpar product, terrible atmosphere. Probably the worse hookah place I’ve ever been to. No respect or care for customer or art of hookah. Embarrassment to the hookah community.

Went here again a couple nights ago and I stand by my previous review. They seemed to have upped their service game. Our server Emily was awesome. They also added cool light up seating instead of the couch cushions (way more comfy) they used to have for the seating in the middle as well as multi colored lights. Not sure it goes with the vibe but it didn’t kill my vibe. Check this place out! Also ask about their hookah of the day because it’s half. Thankfully they don’t do that godawful dr pepper flavor anymore!

I have allwase enjoyed sphinx the music the atmosphere the hookah, the owner is nice Egyptian guy and the servers are all good, if you plan on going bring your Id and all your patience muscles. Hooka especially at sphinx is ment to be a slow relaxing very chill endeavor service is slow the mood is chill
They recently got new glowy/​superfluous furniture
It’s neat but not comfortable I liked the idea of it but every one in my party preferred the floor pillows over the new furniture.
Get there early parking and getting seated will be easyer.

Before I was old enough to start drinking this was my slightly-​illicit-​late-​night-​teen-​hangout place, and now that I’m over 21 this is my not-​at-​all-​illicit-​late-​night-​bring-​a-​bottle-​of-​wine-​with-​friends-​hangout place. The space is awesome – an old 19^th-​century church totally redone in rich fabrics and knockoff Egyptian paintings, with cushions along the walls on the side. For a dollar extra you can sit upstairs in the ~VIP~ room, but I’ve never done so.
Parking is a literal nightmare, but it’s South Oakland, so that’s par for the course. Service is very, very, very slow – I think they are encouraging you to linger as is traditional in most hookah-​smoking countries. You have to order food or a drink to smoke – try the mint tea, or just get a bottle of water if you’re not hungry. The tobacco selection runs the gamut from the very traditional – molasses or apple – to weird cocktail-​based flavors. I like pomegranate. For an extra fee, you can get ice (to cool down the smoke), juice, or wine in the base of the hookah.
I always see people with their laptops doing homework or writing. But others are chatting, drinking, or just chilling. This is a very mellow place in nutty South O, and is a nice respite from Oakland as a whole.

I had an amazing night at Sphinx café tonight. Sphinx is located in an old church, the layout is very open. There is seating along the walls and at tables. I loved the décor, very chill and relaxing.
While we were there, we had dinner and smoked two hooka bowls. Emily was our waitress. She was super attentive and friendly. She changed our coils frequently and was attentive to us. She was also very knowledgeable about the available products. We had the peach shisha and raspberry shisha – both were excellent. We split some appetizers as well.
I agree with the other reviewers that the fees were a little surprising when the receipt came (.25 extra for each user of the hooka – including the first user and $ 1 fee for paying with a credit card). The fees were minimal so they did not bother me but I can see how they would annoy people. It would be better if they just worked these fees into their menu prices.

With an eccentric feng shui, this historical building makes for a relaxing experience. The music is great, and the set-​up is perfect for conversation with friends. I didn’t eat, but drink orders are mandatory with your visit.

Nestled into the very young and undergrad inhabited area of oakland, a friend and I stopped in here after work one day. I definitely enjoyed the décor much more than the new hookah place that recently opened in Bloomfield, however the younger crowd in oakland usually doesn’t tickle my fancy. The staff was good, a little on the laid back (/​slow) side– but a hookah place almost demands that. The actual hookah was enjoyable, about average compared to what I’ve had. And I believe that it’s BYOB, so plan accordingly. I only know of two hookah places in the city, and I recommend this one more so than the other option.

I tend to check out this place for its open mic night and atmosphere. The atmosphere though isn’t worth the steep price. There’s a one drink minimum and I’m okay with that. The cheapest thing on the menu is water for $ 2.50. They do accept cards but there’s a fee for taking your card. I also didn’t like that my waiter tipped himself. He just assumed that my $ 2 was his tip. I probably won’t be a regular at this place.

Had a bad experience here. It was very expensive and the staff was not friendly. We got kicked out an hour and a half early after only being there for 45 minutes. Hookah is mediocre. I used to like the hookah place in North Oakland but now that is restaurant only. Why is there no hookah bar anywhere else in Oakland, Shadyside, or elsewhere East of downtown. *sigh*
Updated: I really like Mint which is a few blocks away. Friendlier staff and better prices with less restrictions.

In the middle of the around-​the-​clock college party atmosphere in Oakland, this lounge is inside of a towering old church. It is very hard to miss with its unique style in the middle of Oakland.
Once you walk in, you wait to be seated in the normal seating area, usually on cushions on the floor, or you wait to be seated in the indoor balcony above you. This balcony is known as the «VIP Lounge» and there’s an extra $ 1 surcharge per person up there. It is very similar to the first floor, but there are 2 – 3 couches to sit on.
The menu selection here is pretty great, but it is is actually very hard to sort through. The obscurity of the menu makes it hard to pick out what you’d like at you’ll end up asking a lot of questions to your half-​awake half-​attentive waiter/​waitress. You will also end up paying a lot more than you’d like. A 10oz milkshake will cost you $ 5 and a bottle of water is $ 2.50. This is to be expected, but I wan’t thrilled that I paid $ 5 for three sips of an orange milkshake.
The hookah is also very pricey. They make sure to charge you for everything they can. They divide their hookah flavors into three divisions– excellent, premium, and superior. Reading other reviews on here, I’ve heard they use a very good brand of hookah, but I believe this quirk on the menu is just to make people splurge and go the extra few bucks for the superior quality, even though the actual quality difference is debatable. They will also not hesitate to charge you for how many people you have, how many hoses you want (even though you already paid for smoking it), the juice to put in the bottom, and extra for ice.
The service leaves much to be desired. I’ve been there on different days of the week and of course it’s always busy on weekends. The service is OK at best during the week, but I feel trapped in there waiting for my check for 30 minutes every time I go there on a Friday or Saturday. I’m empathetic that it’s probably not the employee’s fault, but I would like to get about my night. My waiter usually ends up being an asshole, too.
In conclusion, you’re paying for the sweet building. The ambiance created by the old church, color-​changing lights, cool african paintings and fabrics strewn about makes the place a cool hangout. However, the service, price, and quality of what you order leaves something to be desired. Definitely a place to check out once or twice, but don’t make this a regular stop.

I went here on a Thursday night when it was pretty light attendance and kind of low key. The building is simply amazing, and the décor is nice. They have nice hookahs, and when my friend was partaking and had problems they came right away to fix the problem. They were very attentive to the quality of the smoking experience.
Food? Less so. Our waiter was attentive to smoking but slow on the food, and although the few items are good the selection isn’t that great. He also seemed to be utterly hating his job, and was not friendly at all. He checked the hookah but didn’t ask for more drink or food, and we had to kind of flag him down to get anything else.
The prices are meh. Probably more than they should be, but I was kind of irked that our party of 3 was charged automatic gratuity. Overall, a nice location to hookah but not so great at anything else.

I usually like this place because it’s chill and I like sitting on the floor. Lately though, the music’s been getting really loud, having to pay a cover charge for… belly dancers that I didn’t ask for, and just. it’s been meh. Also, there’s a one drink minimum. Also, it’s always difficult to find parking around there so that sucks too. But it’s okay I guess. The people who work there are usually nice.