Rotana Cafe

I made a reservation earlier tonight and the guy said there were only reservations available for couples. I said that was perfect there were only two of us and we’d be there within the following hour and I gave him my name. When I showed up with my boyfriend the staff was looking at us like we were aliens when I gave them my name and said we had a reservation the guy said «the reservations are only available for couples» my boyfriend says «well we are a couple, this is my boyfriend» the man replies «couple means boy and girl» my jaw DROPPED I answered «no, couple means TWO people and we’re two people with a reservation» he looks at me and says «well, that’s not our policy, we only reserve for girl and boy» I told him «why does it matter, we’re spending money just like anybody else?» At this point my boyfriend stepped in and tells me «look, let’s just leave I feel uncomfortable already, from the moment we walked in» I agreed and we left. I don’t understand how they can stand there at the door and discriminate so freely and openly as if it was ok to do. I don’t recommend this place to anyone! My boyfriend wants to sue for discrimination and I really don’t care to do so… He’s pretty persistent so you guys should be preparing for a lawsuit very soon! Maybe that’ll teach you guys something about equality and how discriminating against someone’s even in your business works here in the U.S. What they did was so disrespectful and out of line, denying service because why? We’re gay? C’mon! Who even does that anymore??? Then having the NERVE to say it’s your policy… It’s sickening

Nahhhh… Too dirty and too crowded from neighborhood… Wolfs sit there and look for victims. I’m talking about if you are a girl damn you better be there with your bf. I didn’t like it. And I don’t think I would ever come back.
Hookah is okay. Charcoal on time. Price wise they are okay.

Strawberry banana smoothie was fresh and delicious and the Blue Mist hookah was a hit. Very casual and calm atmosphere for small hangouts and friendly

I can and can’t understand why this place would receive less stars than deserved. Hookah bars are usually very chill and relaxed. This one is for the most part yet I’m sure with a place like that they have indeed hosted events. The interior is a lot more than one would expect while comparing it to the looks of the outside and location. Colorful lights and comfortable leather seats not your average tattered laid back hookah bar. Hours are very flexible and the wait staff are attentive and friendly. I never once had to ask for a new coal or a new flavor. Prices are average. I think the only not so nice thing I could say and my friends as well, I wish they would play some American music every now and then ;) aside from that this place is stellar. This bar over Alibaba ANYDAY.

Have been smoking hookah on lawerence street for years. This is a place i have always seen but never been to. One of my buddies used to swear by this place and came here all the time. So I gave it a shot. The parking lot was jammed pack, this made me think wow there must be a lot of people in here, nope. We were greeted by a man who looked like a CIA officer with a head piece and microphone, later I realized everyone had one. The inside was dark with lots of strobe lights and lots of seating. My initial thoughts were is this a strip club? On the many monitors was a slideshow of someone’s wedding on repeat! Music was loud and there seemed to be vip booths on both ends of the room like a nightclub. Also I saw signs posted that everything was being videotaped. All of this was too much for me on a Tuesday evening. I understand this place is prb fun and packed on the weekends but for casual smokers like me I enjoy a laid back lounge. The lights cameras and feel was very awkwardish! But I must say the hookahs here are good and clean, and they have a very extensive drink menu. Overall not my kinda hookah spot :(

Place is a complete joke! Bunch of fugees dancing with each other. Felt like I was at a kids Bday party!

What a miserable experience. For one the staff were cold an inattentive. It seemed nearly impossible to get our hookah checked on when it started to taste even more stale than it did initially — I’m inclined to agree with a previous reviewer that it tasted like they mixed in burnt tobacco or something. I’ve smoked plenty of hookahs but something just tasted «off» about this one.
Also, the atmosphere at this place kind of sucks. When I go to a hookah lounge, I’m looking for a place to relax, sit back and have great conversations with friends. The music was so damn loud that I felt like I was at an EDM festival. My friends seated across from me simply couldn’t hear me unless I yelled at the top of my lungs.
I haven’t been there since it was called 5 star hookah years ago. Sure, they’ve fixed up the place since then, but at least before they were friendly and I could go there and relax.

Do not go. We waited on our hookah while the staff is eating. If you like wasting money and shitty customer service this is the spot. Otherwise do yourself a favor and don’t go here.

Bad music that is too loud, bad atmosphere– uncomfortable seating, not for lounging or relaxing, unclean sticky floors and full of glaring old men, got the pervert vibe. The staff didn’t seem friendly or like they cared that we were there. Trying to hard to be a club and not a hookah bar.

it seems that this hookah lounge went under new management! the atmosphere is ok, but they need to do something about the furniture. but will be back

This is a great low key place to come have some hookah with friends. I’ve been coming here regularly for a couple months now. The prices are fair and the hookah is pretty solid. They carry most of the major flavors and mix some house specials. Voltage is our favorite.
Service here is pretty nice and relaxed. Virginia is the usual waitress and she’s a real sweetheart. We drank here once and they didn’t charge us any fees, unlike Ali-Baba’s and some other hookah places.
My only gripe is that it can be a little hard to hear each other sometimes around the couch area. I don’t think this is mostly because the venue is a room with a high ceiling and the acoustics must mess with the sound. It would be really cool if there were a couple more couch areas to sit by, especially by the windows, that are a bit further from the speakers.
We usually don’t come during the nights with life performances and dancing and all that, so I can’t really relate to the other reviewers.
Overall, a pretty nice place to bring some fiends and enjoy good smokes and conversation.

Okay, I had to write this review about Rotana because of the recent addition they have made to their round of regular singers. There is one singer there, I’m not sure what nationality he is, but he calls himself «Asser». A friend of mine dated this guy, and let me tell you, Rotana needs to check into the people they hire to represent their venue before they associate themselves with trashy people. This «Asser» is attempting to marry an American citizen for a green card. He also dates several white women at the time because he doesn’t have a car to get from place to place in. He meets them on the internet and tries to find ones who are desperate and have low self esteem. My friend was smart enough only to date him for a few days, and then she realized he was a user and got away. Through facebook, we linked up with several of the other women he’s attempted to use. Not only does he use them for rides and not even offer to pay for their gas, but one of them we talked to said that he sexually assaulted her when she repeatedly told him that she didn’t want him to touch her. Then, when she confronted him about it, he claimed that he didn’t go inside her… when she had bodily evidence to prove it!
Rotana, you are risking your entire reputation by being associated with this guy, as well as any other reputable Chicago establishment.