Tailored shisha
A shisha mixologist has been praised for tailoring tobacco strength and flavour blends to guests’ preferences.
Black Star Lounge - Best Russian Shisha
Business Bay
Black Star Lounge is a Russian-style hookah bar in Business Bay, known in reviews for carefully tailored shisha blends and a lounge atmosphere with music, cocktails and food. It may appeal to visitors looking for a longer shisha session, but pricing and ordering transparency deserve attention.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
194 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Long sessions
One review says the hookahs were tasteful and lasted for hours, making the lounge suited to an unhurried visit.
Russian music
Several visitors enjoyed the Russian music, including a couple who described it as fun and relaxing.
Stylish interior
A December review highlights the stylish interior, music and atmosphere as reasons to stay and return.
Cocktail guidance
A visitor said the bartenders explained each cocktail in detail, useful if you want help choosing a drink.
Food portions
One customer found the food delicious and the portions generous, although other reviews disagree about value.
Tips for a Better Visit
Check menu. Ask to see the menu and prices before ordering; one 30-minute visit reportedly reached AED 3,050.
Confirm hookah. If you want Arabic hookah, confirm availability and the price first; one guest was offered a costlier Russian hookah instead.
Find entrance. At Taj Downtown, ask for Billionaire and follow the assistance to Black Star Lounge rather than searching for a prominent separate entrance.
Watch invitations. Be cautious if a newly met stranger strongly insists on bringing you here; several reviews connect that situation with unexpectedly large orders.
Check AC. Call ahead to confirm the air conditioning is working, since one visitor said it was not operating despite calling before arrival.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Taj Hotel - Burj Khalifa Blvd
Business Bay, Dubai
Popular Mentions
Russian Hookah
The lounge’s Russian hookah is the defining offering, with reviews describing European tobacco options and customised strength.
Arabic hookah with Lime mint
Arabic hookah with Lime mint was specifically requested by one visitor, though availability and pricing were disputed.
Common Concerns
High prices
Multiple reviews describe drinks, food and hookah as expensive, including a reported AED 3,050 bill for a 30-minute stay.
Order pressure
Some customers say staff pushed them to order more, particularly during visits involving someone they had just met.
Slow service
Service was inconsistent: one visitor waited around 30 minutes without anyone taking an order.
Entry confusion
The entrance is not obvious, with reviewers saying it can look like a staff entrance or require access through Billionaire.
Comfort issues
A review reported that the seats were uncomfortable, while another said the AC was not working during a visit.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
1000 AED
shisha
“And that for 2x Hendricks Gin Tonic, 2x Whiskey Cola (where an 18 year old was served without asking), 2x water and a shisha for 1000 AED”Google review · May 2025
AED 3,050
bill for 30-minute stay
“We ended up with a bill of AED 3,050 for a 30-minute stay”Google review · May 2025
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Black Star Lounge is a Business Bay hookah bar with a distinctly Russian angle. The main draw is shisha: reviewers describe European tobaccos, blends tailored to preferred strength and flavour, and hookahs that can last for hours. The lounge also serves cocktails and food, with some guests praising the generous portions and cocktail explanations.
The setting is one of its stronger points. Visitors mention Russian music, stylish interiors, a relaxed atmosphere and a quieter feel than the Billionaire venue sharing its entrance. Service reviews are mixed: some describe friendly, attentive staff, while others waited about 30 minutes without being approached or felt pressured to order more.
Price is the biggest caution. One review reported AED 3,050 for 30 minutes, including two Hendricks Gin Tonics, two Whiskey Colas, water and a AED 1,000 shisha. Another said a basic hookah was expensive and adding fruit tripled the charge.
Ask to see the menu and confirm every item before ordering, especially if someone else is choosing the drinks or shisha. The entrance can be confusing: reviews say to go through Billionaire at Taj Downtown and ask for directions. Also check the AC before settling in, as one visit found it not working.
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