This is the place that introduced me to hookah, and inspired quite a hobby from me. Located just a block from the main bar-street of Ames, The Chicha Shack has reliably been my favorite place to relax with friends. The volume level is ideal for conversation; the music in the background is not too loud and the general acoustics are good. The air flow is managed well, when it's slow I can blow rings, and when it's busy the air is kept fresh. On busy nights, understandably, the servers can be slow to tend the coals. The drinks are reasonably priced (Guinness goes perfect with hookah, FYI). Mo', the owner, learns the regular's names and preferences. When I'm low on supplies it's easy to buy a bag of coals from them. I really hope they survive the smoking legislation, and I miss the place now that I've moved. A+
Ideal little hookah bar
This is the place that introduced me to hookah, and inspired quite a hobby from me. Located just a block from the main bar-street of Ames, The Chicha Shack has reliably been my favorite place to relax with friends. The volume level is ideal for conversation; the music in the background is not too loud and the general acoustics are good. The air flow is managed well, when it's slow I can blow rings, and when it's busy the air is kept fresh. On busy nights, understandably, the servers can be slow to tend the coals. The drinks are reasonably priced (Guinness goes perfect with hookah, FYI). Mo', the owner, learns the regular's names and preferences. When I'm low on supplies it's easy to buy a bag of coals from them. I really hope they survive the smoking legislation, and I miss the place now that I've moved. A+
posted by David Gustafson on Aug 18, 2009