Karma Cigar & Hookah Lounge

This place is one of the nicer hookah lounges in Manchester. As in it knows what it is unlike some other hookah lounges that try to be clubs as well. Its classy and more prestigous than any of the bars directly on elm street. However unfortunately for some reason it is not that popularm. But the hookahs I’ve had there kinda aren’t the best and I’ve used my fair share of hookahs and it’s not that there is anything wrong with their blends it just takes forever to get a steady smoke flow coming out. And no it’s not my technique issue it’s just something about the hookahs themselves. It also kinda bums me out that they pride themselves on being a hookah bar but don’t have any real authentic middle eastern/​Asian vibes. Hookah lounges as supposed to be classy and filled with decent people but they are also supposed to have a friendly and inviting atmosphere which karma doesn’t specifically have. In other countries ive lived in around the world the use of hookahs is commonly done in groups. Its a social gathering that brings people together for good laughs and good conversation. The lounge couch areas of course make the environment more classy but they also ruin the unique culture of hookah smoking. Honestly if I’m not with a big group I don’t feel comfortable going in by myself. If you are looking for an intimate one on one lounge this is perfect but that’s about it. If you are looking for a traditional hookah smoking environment where you can sit on rugs on the floor and talk to the group’s next to you, make new friends, and just have a great time socializing. Then karma is not the place to go.

Comfortable, relaxing, inviting, and friendly. This place is great. First timers, this is a great place to come!

Came in last night and was very very happy with my experience!
The décor is simple a little middle eastern, dimly light and seating was black leather couches and chairs… very intimate. With no one in there we were able to pick the music they were playing which was a great way to cater to us. They have a full bar. The girl working was very sweet and attentive. The hooka was clean and hit beautifully. I will absolutely come back!

Walked by Saturday night. The outside doesn’t look like much but I figured, hey, cigars and hookahs, I’d check it out. The inside was a pleasant surprise. Very well ventilated, for one. A hip but not obnoxiously so crowd, and a couple of nice people at the bar who helped me (the «first-​timer»). The staff was super-​friendly; both bartenders came over and shook my hand and introduced themselves, and pointed me at the humidor, menu, and so on.
I greatly enjoyed my cigar and drink and did some people-​watching, only to be pleasantly surprised when a drop-​dead gorgeous belly dancer came out and danced throughout the restaurant. Having lived in the Middle East and seen the real thing, I was not disappointed — especially when she did a dance using a scimitar as a prop. I will definitely be back with friends. Wish I’d known about Karma before!

I went here with a young lady after dinner. The service was good and the enviroment, although, not expensive, was well done.

I like this place. I think the cigar selection is adequate. Wide selection of Rocky Patel’s which I enjoy.
The spirits selection is pretty good for such a small bar. Also, while the beer is kept in one big cooler, I enjoy the ability to try a number of different beers. I’m not a snob either, I can deal with it out of the bottle.
Cool atmosphere. Dark, lots of couches. I have alway sat at the bar (pretty small) though so I can’t comment on the couches.
Parking sucks but so is the norm for that street.

Karma could be five stars easily but it’s lacking in coordinated service, efficient seating, and music fitting the ambience but they are so close to getting it right. The place is tight, and the chairs take up a lot of space so it’s difficult to fit parties of 5 or more. The atmosphere is swanky and fun like a restaurant in the Back Bay but cheaper and less judgmental. Drinks are what you would expect but they could have more options. Hookah is standard but on multiple occasions they have been out of the flavors we’ve chosen. Many times the live bands are cramped into a corner and play blues. The placed is dimmed with black and red paint and Buddha decorations so unique world music would seem more fitting. Overall, it’s different than most of what you’ll find in Manch-​Vegas and it’s refreshing to have something besides an Irish pub.

nice cigar shop– not a big variety but they had some fun flavors. The hookahs are pretty good and they have quite a selection, I have only had fruit flavors. The place draws a decent crowd at night and overall it is a pleasant atmosphere. The only disappointment was that for a sat night there were only two gals working so getting a drink was tough. But both gals were nice and polite, which goes a long way.

Big fan of Karma. Cigars, hookah, alcohol, and just the right amount of class. Oh yeah, and great live music, sans cover. And who said Manchester doesn’t know how to keep it classy?
Karma’s also got top notch bar staff, the manager on the last night I was there was absolutely awesome, and extremely accommodating. I brought five of my friends up with me from Boston to bring them to one of my favorite spots from back home, and they loved it too.
I just only wish the humidor had a little bit more to offer — the other smoke shop joints in the area have a more broad variety, so keep this in mind if you’re only in this for the stogies. However, they’ve got a decent selection in their own right, and they’ve always got a full compliment of whiskey and scotch, plus some really interesting shisha flavors (pumpkin, anyone?), so that certainly helps ease the burn here.
My recommendation? Class it up a bit and hit Karma for a smoke and a whiskey like a boss, you won’t regret it.

Love this place. Very chill… friendly staff, and great selection of hookah and drinks.
The place could do with being a little bigger. However I’m not going to hold it against them!
Expect a dimmed lit, well ventilated, narrow space with leather couches and decent music.
I have to admit i’m not much of a hookah expert, so I cant comment on the quality of their tobacco. However out of the few places ive smoked hookah… it’s not dreadful.
They have a full bar, bottled beer only (good craft beers) and a walk in humidify for their cigars.
Check it out!
PS
Some nights the service can be less than desirable. However we had a new waitress on the weekend and she was good, so our faith is slowly getting renewed on the service front.

When Karma was first born in Manchester I was there consistently working liquor promotions. The staff was EXCELLENT, providing top notch products and service. I have since moved across the country. I came back to NH for this week and thought I’d stop in with some friends and see how business was doing. The service and staff seemed as if a complete 180 had taken place. There was only one young lady servicing the entire floor, and she lacked all communication skills. She only checked on us once for the two hours we were there and in order to catch her attention we had to walk up to her. It was a shame as how completely different the environment was. If it was my first time walking into that I would never go back. I do know that Karma has potential, and wish them the best!

Needs a major air purifier, ventilation system or lots of fresh air that allows you to BREATHE. I literally could not take a breath it was so bad. Awful. I’m not a smoker but do enjoy an occasional puff now and then, so maybe its my own personal low tolerance to smoke, but I found the smoke unbearable.

The staff should get more stars, because they were great. Bartender is cool and the waitresses are cute and bubbly.
The hookah, on the other hand… not so much. First thing you’ll notice is that they use quick-​light coals. These type of coals are covered in black powder similar to a matchstick that allows you to light it with a lighter rather than a torch. Tisk tisk. These coals not only go out very quickly but make the tobacco taste like garbage. I’ve also heard that they’re not that good for you as they have chemicals in them.
They have a pretty good selection of hookah, and should they change to actual coals, I might consider going back. But until then… I’ll stay away.

awful service!!! The tobacco was bad and the server’s cell phone was ringing while she was talking to us.
Would definitely not return.

great place good flavors

A huge upgrade to most NH residents first Hookah experience in the tents in the weirs on motorcycle weekend.
The waitstaff are friendly and know the menu. One woman offered a particular flavour and a beer to compliment.
The atmosphere is trendy and dark lit. not good for one on ones due to how loud it is, but is great for a group of friends.

Surprisingly swanky cigar and hookah lounge that serves beer, mixed drinks and live music in downtown Manchester.
We saw a drummer in a fedora in the window arranging his marching band snare on his shoulder and we wondered what the heck is he doing in a cigar bar. I don’t smoke, but we stopped in anyway to listen to the music. The drummer was part of a trio. A guitarist and a singer with a harmonica (with a blues mike) were the rest.
At the far end of the room, beyond a couple of low tables flanked by couches, was a small bar with bottles of liquor and beer. Drinks were pretty reasonable — a dirty martini was $ 7 and a bottle of beer (Magic Hat #9) was $ 4. It doesn’t look like the place serves food, but it looks like food can be brought in.
Beyond the bar is a walk in humidor. Although there were a number of customers hanging out on the couches smoking hookahs and cigars, the place wasn’t particularly smoky. It seems as if there is pretty good ventilation. We still went home smelling like smoke, but that’s not the bar’s fault.

I brought my best friend here last weekend because I really wanted to impress her. She was visiting from out of town, so we didn’t have a lot of time together, so it was important for us to really enjoy each other’s company and our surroundings.
The waitresses were super sweet, and one of them helped her choose the perfect bag of cigarillos for her dad. Although there were plenty of friendly people around, we were able to find a cozy spot on a couch just the two of us and talk for a while.

Class in Manchester? NO WAY.
This a stylish, quality joint right on Elm St. that offers drinks (well-​made from what I hear, but haven’t tried them myself), a vast cigar selection in their walk-​in humidor, and a variety of shisha for the hookah delivered right to your table. Hookah is $ 15 a person, which I consider a little steep, but goes down if you’ve got more folks with you, which is nice. Additionally, refills are only $ 5. the interior is dimly lit and the walls are well-​decorated with Buddhist-​inspired art and other pieces to set an overall very nice and relaxing tone.
Totally worth the price in my opinion. To have a place that could easily fit in Boston or even Vegas is quite the opportunity for those of us stuck with the typical trash in Manch (although things have generally been improving).
The waitress we had told us how business has been slow so far, so c’mon Manch! Don’t let this one get away! It’s a must on Elm!

Finally a hookah lounge in Manchester! Kharma is a great place to relax with a few friends, try some tasty tobacco and have a drink. Although they now have their liquor license, it is not a bar so don’t get confused about that if you’re walking down Elm St. and peek in. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, quiet and laid back. They do expect appropriate attire, whatever that may mean. It isn’t cheap either, but it is worth the price.