There are relatively few places in Baton Rouge to experience a true hookah lounge, and Zoroona Mediterranean Grill is looking to change that in a classy and comfortable environment. In a space adjacent to the restaurant, general manager Bill Qasem has built a full-service hookah bar with plush lounge seating, flatscreen TVs on the walls and a garage-style door that opens up to a covered patio with more seating and an area for live music.
The lounge held a soft opening at the end of June and the Zoroona team is hosting a grand opening Thursday, July 7.
Besides more than 30 flavors of hookah—from mint to watermelon and even fall-ready pumpkin spice—the lounge and café also features a small food menu with items fans of the Mediterranean restaurant are familiar with, such as hummus, falafel, halloumi fried cheese, wraps and desserts. The drink menu includes different types of tea and coffee, authentic Turkish coffee and fresh juices that are made in-house upon order.
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Qasem says he sees the lounge as a place for people 18 and older who want to go out at night but don’t want to go to a bar. Besides the hookah, smoking isn’t allowed inside the lounge, and there is no alcohol served. Outside of musical performances on the patio, there won’t be loud music pumping through the speakers—Qasem says the aim is for a relaxing atmosphere to have conversation with a group of friends.
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“This is a high-class hookah lounge,” Qasem says. “It’s very comfortable in here and I think it’s going to be an unforgettable experience for people.”
Zoroona and its adjoining Hookah Lounge & Cafe are at 6900-D Siegen Lane.
