Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/550304
60 tobaccoasia People in Manhattan are reported puffing in barber shops and the pastime seems to have caught on with rappers. Shisha parties, in which groups of friends gather in parks, are also on the up, and increasing numbers of smokers carry por- table pipes around in their pockets. Below is just a small taste of shisha joints light- ing up around the globe. Suite 55 47 W.55th Street, New York, NY, tel 1 212 957 1899, www.suite55nyc.com. The huge list of hookah flavors at Studio 55 includes standards, but they also dole out specials with tempting names like Big Apple Pie, Cuban Hurricane and Miami Kiss. For those with a few extra bucks in their pocket, they also offer a stand- out of Hookah with Cristal champagne at $1,500. Order that and you get to take the hookah home with you. There are DJs spinning House music, a dance floor and live samba and belly dancing shows from Thursday to Saturday. The extensive food menu mixes North African, Middle Eastern and western food in dishes like lamb merguez, couscous tajine and New York striploin with pep- per sauce. Cafe Cairo 88 Landor Rd, London SW9, tel 44 207 207 0926, www.cafecairo.co.uk. A venue very much dedicated to cultural events, Café Cairo often has live music, talks, and film shows. The cafe has free wifi and a menu with desserts, hot cocktails and teas. Sideshows include books to read and games including chess and backgammon. A crucial fea- ture is the shisha garden with its own Bedouin Left: De Ja Vu in Kuala Lumpur style tent at the back, complete with floor cush- ions, low tables and Turkish coffee. Open Thurs- day to Sunday. Bar De La Comedia C/Principe 16, Madrid, tel 34 91 521 51 64. Described as an "urban club", Madrid's Bar De La Comedia draws 20- to 30-somethings for DJs spinning a blend of hip-hop, reggae and R&B. But one of the favourite spots is the attached hoo- kah lounge, where flavored smokes offer some gentle respite from the heaving, dancing crowds. Open till 3.30am, it usually has free entry, but a service charge will often kick in from Thursday to Saturday, depending on the event. The Green Room, Leopoldstraße 13, Munich, tel 49 89 3306 6352. This small, intimate space is packed with stu- dents and young professionals enjoying the menu of flavored tobaccos. The night is helped along with a list of over 150 cocktails and DJs who pro- vide funky but laid back lounge music. There's an outdoor terrace and the food is Thai, with the usual spicy curries, soups and salads featuring strongly. De Ja Vu 104, Dataran Jelatek, Kuala Lumpur, tel 60 3 4253 2101, www.facebook.com/dejavukl. Handmade shisha flavors are the star attraction at De Ja Vu. They come in recipes such as Mixed Soda, Orange County and Green Lemonade to en- joy while chilling out in a very stylish interior. They have a restaurant and flat screen TVs that show the sport, including all live matches in the football season. The place has become so popular it has doubled in size since opening six years ago.