Sometimes we get confused or run out of ideas. After all, when’s the last time you stayed out past midnight and didn’t have a drink? Booze and a night out in Toronto are pretty much synonymous at this point, which is why we’re happy to see a place that’s offering a different type of experience – and one that lasts just about as long as you want.
Because Shishalicious (235 Jarvis Street) doesn’t offer alcohol on its menu, it’s not bound by the same laws as many bars and restaurants throughout the city. Its doors can stay open (and often do) until 4 or 5am, and both food and hookah are available the entire time.
For those of you who’ve never tried smoking shisha, it’s just as communal an experience as ordering rounds of pints with your friends – but one that doesn’t end with you at Pizza Pizza at 3am wondering if you have enough change left in your pocket to get a slice of pepperoni and a small poutine. In fact, owners Theva and Wael Ben created Shishalicious with the idea of community in mind (don’t worry, everyone gets their own mouthpiece). WiFi, cards, and board games are all available for free. Several couches line the space, allowing you to settle into your hookah for a few hours at a time without worrying about being uncomfortable. Even the music changes based on the type of crowd that’s currently smoking away.
Shishalicious has more than 70 hookahs just waiting to be set up with one of their 20 flavours of shisha. Beyond your standard fruit and mint flavours, however, Theva and Wael Ben will be happy to mix you up a cocktail that contains a blend worthy of any occasion. Think birthday shots but without the hangover.
With an extensive menu of well-priced snacks including sandwiches, salads, and desserts, Shishalicious is definitely designed to be the kind of place you can linger for hours. The selection of tea, coffee, and fresh juice (mango banana shake, anyone?) all combine to help clean you up after the bar or simply enhance a nice summer night out on the two-tiered patio.
Open seven days a week from 1:30pm until, well, pretty much until you leave, Shishalicious offers both an alternative to the bar scene as well as place to go after a few drinks if you want to keep the night going (albeit in a more relaxed way). If you’ve never gotten to know a good pipe, here’s your chance to change that. And we promise we’ll never ask you whether or not you inhaled.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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