Shisha quality
Reviews describe smooth, flavourful shisha, including custom twists and attentive coal changes.
Al Jaddaf
Old Monk Bar & Lounge is a shisha-focused bar and lounge in Al Jaddaf, with a relaxed setting for drinks, hookah and casual evenings with friends. Reviews point to smooth, flavourful shisha, cocktails, music that still allows conversation, and attentive service.
Source: Google Maps
Reviews describe smooth, flavourful shisha, including custom twists and attentive coal changes.
The music creates energy without making conversation difficult, which suits a long catch-up over drinks.
The lounge stays open until 3AM, making it useful for late-night meet-ups.
The rooftop has been praised for skyline views and a pool outlook, with ample parking mentioned by one visitor.
The bar can adapt cocktails to taste preferences, and reviews mention interesting variations and signature drinks.
One recent visit found the food and drinks well-prepared and served on time.
Check seating. Call ahead before relying on rooftop photos or offers; one visitor found hardly any rooftop seating.
Bring backup payment. Carry cash or confirm an accepted alternative before arriving, as several digital payment methods were unavailable to one guest.
Try afternoons. For a quieter visit, consider the afternoon: one guest arrived around 2:00 PM and found the bar uncrowded.
Allow time. If ordering shisha or food during a busier period, leave extra time because one review mentions delays on orders.
Ask for flavours. If you prefer a specific profile, say so when ordering; one guest enjoyed orange mint shisha, while another requested no mint.
Check offers. Ask about current happy-hour or Zomato offers before ordering; reviews mention affordable drinks and deals.
Plan the visit
| Mon | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Tue | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Wed | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Thu | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Fri | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Sat | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
| Sun | 5:00 PM – 4:00 AM |
Orange mint is one specifically praised flavour, described as enjoyable during a visit.
Pan zafran is mentioned as a favourite shisha choice.
Happy hours are mentioned as a way to find affordable drinks and offers.
Finger food is specifically praised as a good accompaniment for drinks and conversation.
One regular guest waited 15 minutes for shisha, then another 20 minutes to change the flavour after an unsatisfactory first bowl.
Indoor seating is described as small, while another review warns that the rooftop has hardly any seats despite attractive online offers.
One review liked the food but found the menu had few options.
A diner specifically noted that there was no non-smoking area.
Some digital payment methods, including PayPal, Careem Pay and Noon Pay, were not accepted by one visitor.
The Bottom Line
Old Monk Bar & Lounge is a shisha-led bar in Al Jaddaf for relaxed drinks, hookah and social evenings. Customers come for smooth bowls, cocktails, finger food and a music programme that keeps the room lively without drowning out conversation. It also stays open until 3AM, which gives late-night groups some flexibility.
Shisha is the clearest draw. Reviews mention flavour customisation, orange mint, no-mint requests and bowls that stayed running smoothly with prompt coal changes. The drinks receive similar attention: cocktails can be adjusted to personal taste, and one guest praised a signature cocktail.
Food is generally described as good, although the menu is not especially broad. The setting is cosy, with rooftop skyline-and-pool views mentioned by one reviewer and ample parking noted in the same account. Seating is the main practical caution: indoor space is described as limited, and another guest found hardly any rooftop seating despite the online images and offers.
A non-smoking area was also reported missing. For a smoother first visit, check seating and payment options ahead of time. Careem Pay, Noon Pay and PayPal were not accepted by one guest, while afternoon visits may be quieter.
Happy-hour and Zomato offers are worth asking about, but confirm the current details before ordering.