Espresso Art Cafe, Cocktail Bar & Hookah Lounge — Restaurant in Tucson

I used to like this place. It's dark & cozy & smells like hookah. The back room would be the best place to work, but it's always crowded with friends of whoever happens to be working at the bar.

Today was the first time I'd been in for a while, and it was horrible. One of the baristas was rude to my friend before I even got to the shop (which I found out later). The same barista had 4 fingers inside the cup she planned to serve me with. I asked for a new one that she hadn't touched on the inside, and she rolled her eyes and put the contaminated cup back on top of the pile, ready for the next customer. Then I was charged THREE DOLLARS for ONE SHOT of espresso. They call a "small" Americano this 1 shot, in a filled 12-oz cup. I asked them to only fill it 2/3 full, but they still filled it up. Not in the mood for diluted brown water (& since I had requested less), I asked them to re-make it. This annoyed the hell out of them both. (for those who don't know it, an americano is typically around $1 per shot, and 2 shots for a 12-oz cup.) I was charged an extra 20 cents for using my card. I get it - BUT I wasn't informed there would be a charge, and it isn't posted anywhere.

I'm granting 1 extra star because I somehow ran into a relative of the owner - who I'd never met before - just after I left. When I explained some of the above, she was very sweet and apologetic. Probably won't convince me to go back, but hopefully the owner will at least hear about the germy hands...

I love this little place. I lived in Sierra Vista and would drive all the way to Tuscon just to visit. My husband and I loved the hookah and we especially enjoyed their house flavors (Ice Flower being my personal favorite). They don't offer fruit bowls or the ice hoses but honestly the shisha options they have more than make up for that. The staff was very attentive even when it was busy and would frequently check in and bring fresh coals. It's also very affordable. The bar had great drinks and the whole atmosphere was just overall pleasant. On weekends they have themed parties, karaoke, or a DJ so it's very lively. During the day the outside patio is also a nice place to relax and smoke with a coffee. We just moved to North Carolina and we have yet to find another hookah spot that even holds a candle to this cafe. We miss this place a lot so if you have the opportunity to go I...

I’ve been going to Espresso Art for many years now. Unfortunately the bar staff I encountered this evening was hostile enough for me to never want to return. I came in with my husband and another couple for a night cap. After waiting at the mostly empty bar for a couple minutes, we were acknowledged. My friend ordered a shot of fernet, and a lemonade for me. I don’t drink alcohol, so a sparkling lemonade (bubbly water or club soda) is my go-to easy beverage order. The 3 ingredient drink was too inconvenient or advanced for our male bartender. He said something along the lines “I’m not going to make you some weird drink”. Really disappointing. We left. My friends were upset. I felt uncomfortable with the aggression I received when I asked if he had lemon juice and simple syrup… The drink takes no time to make, and the bar was...