Taboo Lounge — Restaurant in New York

I definitely would not waste your time coming here. I’m from Atlanta and came to New York for the first time. I quickly learned that my type of fun happens in Queens or Brooklyn, but I’d already booked a hotel in Manhattan and wanted to go to a lounge that was close by and had other people that looked like me. Unfortunately, when I walked in, I was immediately disappointed. The venue is terribly small with literally only one section stuffed in the back corner. The music was okay but had horrible transitions and some songs would be played multiple times within the same 20 minutes (there was no DJ). The service was super slow, if you want anything past your first drink you pretty much have to go stand at the bar, be ignored there for a while, and then eventually the bartender will help you. It was so dead and boring that I literally laid my head down and started to fall asleep. I’ve never in my life done that at a lounge. I think the shots were either watered down or they poured well liquor into a top shelf bottle. Ive worked at a sports bars and lounges back home, so I’ve seen bartenders finesse. Also, I’m a certified lightweight and didn’t even feel tipsy after 2 $16 shots. The worst part was that at the end of our stay, a security guard comes up to our table and says that he needs it. Excuse me? He claimed that there was a 90 minute limit. We were never told this, didn’t see any signs mentioning this and he didn’t say anything to the other patrons around us who had been there just as long. He literally said that we can stay but he needs to take our table because someone else bought a [$100] bottle. We had already spent at least $300 and were planning to stay longer and spend more.We literally had a fresh overpriced hookah refill on the table. We were in disbelief and disgusted. Obviously we didn’t want to stay with no table to use. Then we didn’t want to pay after being disrespected like that and the bartender who ignored us the whole night told the security that we didn’t pay and he LOCKED THE DOOR and locked us inside until we paid and we didn’t get any discounts or accommodations to our tab. Everyone can feel energy and I don’t think they liked that we were from out of town and getting attention. About 5 locals came to our table and were mingling with us at one point and we watched the same security guard that kicked us off of our table tell them to stay at the bar and not go back to our table. This is a hole in the wall place that apparently is only for locals to enjoy. If you’re visiting New York you might as well avoid this place. You won’t be...

Terrible customer , listen nyc night life is already on”death row” , this has contributing factors like over priced drinks , and topic at hand poor customer service . Got in ordered a hookah , at 60 bucks , from some bald guy that rudely asked “are y’all getting a hookah or not! “ first red flag , me and friends proceeded to order drinks in which it took 15mins !! . The drinks were watered down , time went about -about an hour ! . No one came to our table to even ask if we needed and thing else , while basically sipping on melted ice we tried desperately to get a staff members attention , all failed , we then had no choice but to get up an go to the bar , at this point we decided to go , I ordered 3 more drinks , and the bartender got it wrong 3 times !’ No apology , while she stood there with the most harsh , unsympathetic look an her face like she was paying me to be there ! [ you can’t be serious!!]. No thanks guys on see you later upon exist . The place needs a paint job , poor display T.V ‘s. The fridge behind the bar was disgusting, and empty , instead on sports playing the had a pastor preaching the word 🤦‍♂️, So inappropriate . The only good thing that came out of this was a chance to meet A-boogie! . Makes you miss places like the 40/40 club . You guys need to...

DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE: if you care about customer service and how you're treating then this place isn't for you. Starting with the security (who wears a bulletproof vest) is VERY rude and isn't welcoming AT ALL. Not sure why he has a job that caters to customers.

The hookah is overpriced and $60 cash only is an inconvenience for those who don't carry cash.

The FEMALE bartenders are super sweet. Very attentive and friendly. They check on you, and cater to your service.

The gentleman with the bald head and beard is dismissive. There was an issue in the front, I asked to speak to a Manager, no manager around. I called the gentleman over, he looked at me, sat down and continued smoking his hookah with his guest. I guess it's personal while he's working...

I asked for the managers email, the person doesn't have one. I gave my information and the manager never contacted me.

The space is intimately small and uncomfortable. Not intimate and cute and cozy.

If you're looking for hookah, reasonable price drinks, a pleasant experience, and a good safe crowd there are other places near by you should look into. Even an...