Top Hookah Bars: Zeeba Lounge

The Specs

Zeeba Lounge is Baltimore's first hookah lounge and hottest new after-hours hangout! Has great food, a great atmosphere and is the perfect place to take a date!

Pass through the doors of 916 Light St. and pass into another country. Baltimore's first hookah lounge is a refreshing contrast to typical Federal Hill bars, and an ideal spot for those who want to hang out on the late tip (it's open til 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays). "Zeeba" means beautiful in Persian and Zeeba Lounge, with a scented, dimly lit, Oriental rug ambiance, is just that. It invites you to abandon the humdrum and lounge like a sultan.

The Scene

The owners have made an effort to make Zeeba a romantically inviting place that would suit couples and conversationalists alike. This is apparent by the 18 to 40-something crowd that has made Zeeba theirs. There's an overall mature vibe with a smattering of tame teens and 20-somethings.

You'll be transported to another world by an eclectic mix of Gypsy strains, French pop, flamenco and Arabic hip-hop. Arrive after hours and people dance like they're in a disco in the Middle East.

More smoking than drinking here. Compensate for the noticeable lack of liquor license by bringing your own (before 2 a.m.) and paying a small corking fee.

Zeeba staff makes their guests comfortable and happy. Take fragrant sips of hookah (20 flavors) and choose from a menu that includes Mediterranean tapas, baklava, Turkish coffee and tabbouleh. The place is clean (disposable hookah mouthpieces) and airy (scented smoke yes, cigarette and cigar smoke no).

Zeeba provides more than hookahs and gyros -- a visit in itself is a new experience.