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You can smoke here—but you’d still come even if you couldn’t. Benevolent bouncers usher you into the dark space, and when your eyes adjust, friendly bartenders beckon from behind the long bar. It’s a perfect place for larger groups—the low sofas and tables (upstairs and down) are arranged so that several people can take tokes from the hookahs provided. The downstairs lounge (called Club Karma) feels like a cool, covert party: the crowd makes itself comfortable on the low-slung seating against the red wall, leaving plenty of room for dancing to the stylish DJ’s funk and house. Karma also hosts an open mic night on Tuesdays, as well as a daily happy hour when almost everything’s half price. And with average-priced cocktails that are worth every penny, it’s safe to say Karma’s owners can look forward to a pretty nice afterlife. — Amy Allison