Babylon Hookah Lounge

I love this place. The hookah is pretty damn good. Some people say they don’t like it because it’s dark. and smoke everywhere, but I love that kind of atmosphere. Music bumpin, chillin with your friends. What more can you ask for? Love it!

THIS HOOKAH BAR IS AWESOME.
Let me tell you about it, its pros and cons, and why I keep going back
First of all, STARBUZZ sheesh. Best stuff I’ve ever had. When you go, and you have to go, try these:
Killer bee: Tasty fruits with mint, their signature flavor, and you’ll see why. I can’t get enough!
Frooty Loops: Very very fruity flavor, also with a side of mint. Stronger than normal flavor, almost tastes sugary.
Also, comfortable furniture, and they are always playing the most awesome asian fighting movies I have ever seen. That, or a comedy like Step Brothers, or something.
Other awesome sidenotes:
You go more than once, you will MEET the owner. Awesome white guy with some scruff. He actually sat down with us and smoked. @.@
sometimes they’ll have decks of cards all over the place.
I’ve stayed there for five hours one time, they didn’t even laugh at me.
small bowl, two hours, 15 bucks. Large bowl, as long as you can :), 20.
Downsides? There aren’t many. It gets hella smokey in there sometimes, and if it’s cold outside the drafts can make you keep your coat on. Also, the location is a little small, and tends to get crowded on the weekends.
They are open 7 – 1, if I remember correctly. Seriously, I drive over 30 minutes to get here WEEKLY. It’s that good. Give it a shot! You won’t be let down.

Owner is super chill. Hella friendly and can i honestly tell you how many people you will meet here? Very friendly a little intimidating when you walk in but i’ve met a lot of cool people just going to this hookah bar alone. Its a pretty dope place to just chill and smoke. They play trance/​lounge/​arabic music — they have a flat screen tv and they also provide beverages as well. The a/​c doesn’t make your smoke holes fade so thats one good thing (other hookah bars have circulating fans that effs up ur tricks). They also sell their own shisha. thats a PLUS!
Get mango — melon — mint. OMG thats my fav. haha if your not into fruity-​ness just get regular mint. :)

this place is shady… I showed up there with my girls @ around 10ish I had never been there before but a «friend» recommended it. As soon as I walk in it’s butt dark and smoke everywhere it seems like your smoking in someones garage. It’s a strange, dark hookah «lounge» good luck.

One of the best hookah bars I have seen hands down, (I have been to many in the OC, and about 2 in SD so far)
good points:
NO BS charcoal, and they keep bringing you those self lighting charcoals ahead of time so you wont have to wait for anyone
Service was good as the two dudes we saw were really chill
15 dollars for hookahs and 17 for special hookahs, I tried the 15 dollar and it was a starbuzz I think, it was REALLY good
clean and cool crowd, mixed crowd, persian, african, arab, american…
no stare downs basically
WAy better than others and OPEN UNTIL 2:30 AM
VERY MUCH RECOMMENDED

Absolutely the BEST hookah I’ve ever had. I had the peach flavor which had a minty aftertaste. It was soooo smooth and flavorful. Even after getting more coals, the flavor was still strong; there was absolutely no coal or ashy taste, unlike Sinbads. The owners are also really chill and friendly.
The only reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is because they don’t serve alcohol. I prefer a good beer with my hookah.
Definitely coming back to Babylon.

Babylon had the best hookah I have ever had: Peach Mango, with a minty aftertaste, per the staff’s suggestion. It was excellent! The actual portion of tobacco may have been a bit short, but the flavor was superb. Unfortunately, it was a bit expensive and a bit crowded. The atmosphere feels like an opium den, but kind of in a good way, and with a very diverse populace. The staff was very helpful, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I would definitely come back here.

Another hookah bar in the SDSU area.
Woo-​hoo!
[sense the sarcasm?]
When Zodiak’s is packed with pretentious, undress-​you-​with-​their-​eye kinda guys, and I feel more like just laying back without feeling like I’m getting stared… I go to Babylon.
Babylon is right off El Cajon Blvd and College. It’s between Toshi Sushi and a mexican food joint so if you’re hungry, you can head next door and grab some grub. If it’s your first time here, don’t get bombarded by the blasting hip hop or arabic music. This is mainly a hot spot for people between eighteen and the early twenties. That shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a satisfing sheesha sesh.
Babylon’s overall vibe is pretty cool and unpretentious. The interior is painted black with some ottomans and benches all around with plush pillows. The main window outside is lined with neon red, so the whole inside is red. I think the red light makes everybody pretty sexy, looking if you ask me.
The service here is awesome. My first time here, I was confused on where I should order, but I guess you could help yourself to the back and tell the hookah-​preparers what you want and tell them where you’re sitting. The owners and employees are really chill and hospitable… I like that.
On the weekdays, I like coming here with the regulars who are so close with the owners they help themselves to prepping the hookahs. I love playing backgammon and other card games while smoking hookah. It’s so relaxing. Babylon allows you to bring food and and drink and it makes me feel at home.
On weekends, a DJ is available for entertainment, however there is a cover charge. I think cover charges are lame, but when there’s a really good DJ, I guess it’s ok. On these days, the couches and benches are moved so that there is a dance spot in the center. Local breakdancers come here and show each other off. It’s pretty entertaining to watch people spin on their heads and do other acrobatic moves. I like the urban feel, it reminds me of back home.
If you want to avoid the louder and younger crowds, come during the weekdays. It’s not as packed and there is no cover charge. As far as the sheesha goes, it’s pretty good. For $ 15 you can get a authentic-​looking hookah with your favorite flavor; I recommend the plum, banana, or double apple.