You can smoke shisha in a cinema lounge in Mount Austin, inside a drainage culvert in the city centre, or beside a cocktail bar 15 minutes from the Causeway. Shisha in Johor Bahru has become a short-hop night out for Singaporeans, whose own country phased out shisha sales by 2016.
We’ve picked eight lounges across JB, from the city centre to Skudai and Bukit Indah. You’ll find what to order, prices, opening hours and the local rules for each.
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Shisha in Johor Bahru at a Glance
- Closest to the Checkpoint: FOOM Lounge in Taman Pelangi and The Culvert by Samballana in the city centre are the quickest to reach after crossing the Causeway.
- Late Night: Hukka Lounge in Bukit Indah stays open until 5am on Saturdays.
- Best With Dinner: Restoran Star Hadramout pairs Yemeni mandi and lamb with shisha on its outdoor terrace.
Why Do Singaporeans Go to Johor Bahru for Shisha?
Singapore banned the import, distribution and sale of shisha, and its last outlets had to stop by 2016. Shisha in Johor Bahru is legal for adults and a short drive from Woodlands. Lounges across JB serve classic bowls well into the night, many until 2am or 3am.
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8 Best Places for Shisha in Johor Bahru
Hukka Lounge, Bukit Indah
Hukka Lounge, signed as Hukka Cafe out front, is the late-night pick for shisha in Johor Bahru’s west. It stays open into the small hours and serves a full menu alongside the shisha, from pizza and grilled chicken chop to cocktails.
Try the Grilled chicken chop, pizza, cocktails. It’s also on foodpanda if you’d prefer the food to come to you.
Address: 24G, Jalan Bestari 6/2, Taman Nusa Bestari, Taman Bukit Indah, 79100 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Until 5am on Saturdays
Expect to spend: RM20 to RM100 per person
Contact number: +6018-974 1299
FOOM Lounge, Taman Pelangi
FOOM is the most polished place for shisha in Johor Bahru. It’s a cocktail bar and Chinese tea lounge in one, with indoor, outdoor and mezzanine seating.
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Shisha is served at the table, and the cocktail list is reason enough to stay. The Long Goodbye mixes mezcal, milk oolong, longan and toasted coconut foam. If you’d prefer to skip alcohol, there are alcohol-free cocktails and a menu of green, white, oolong and black teas.
Address: G-04 Plaza Mentari (Sun City), Jalan Kuning 1, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm to 2am. Sunday, 3pm to 2am. Closed Monday.
Expect to spend: RM80 to RM100 per person
Contact number: +6011-2728 3989
The Culvert by Samballana, Bandar Johor Bahru
Few places for shisha in Johor Bahru come with a setting this unusual. The Culvert by Samballana seats you inside a drainage culvert on Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, in the city centre. It opens in the evening and runs late, so you can settle in for shisha until 3am.
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Address: Lot 2813, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Daily, 6pm to 3am
Expect to spend: RM20 to RM40 per person
Contact number: +6012-704 8504
IIC Shisha, Mount Austin
IIC Shisha is the cosiest spot for shisha in Johor Bahru. The third-floor lounge is low-lit with deep sofas, and it has a cinema room where films play on a big screen.
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Bowls use Al-Fakher and Poison & Heaven tobacco. Pair yours with a mango cooler, an Oreo milkshake or a slice of knafeh. Try the Al-Fakher shisha, RM25. Lychee or mango cooler, RM7. Oreo or Nutella milkshake, RM10. Nuggets, RM10.
Address: 53-02, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Monday, 8pm to 3am. Tuesday to Sunday, 4pm to 3am.
Expect to spend: RM20 to RM40 per person
Contact number: +6011-6421 2516
Restoran Star Hadramout, Wadi Hana
Star Hadramout is a Yemeni restaurant first and a spot for shisha in Johor Bahru second. Book a table on the outdoor terrace, order a mandi, then call for shisha once the plates are cleared.
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Evenings can bring an Egyptian tanoura dance, and staff sing for birthday tables. Try the Mandi lamb, RM25. Maqlobah special, RM45. Turkish pottery with chicken, RM49, or lamb, RM69. Lamb shank, RM38. Grilled fish, RM35 to RM50.
Address: 3a, Jalan Tebrau, Wadi Hana, 80300 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Until 2am
Expect to spend: RM20 to RM40 per person
Contact number: +6011-1185 4766
Black Smoke, The G Place Taman Abad
Black Smoke is a no-frills hookah bar with tables in the open air under a canopy and a live singer on some nights. It’s one of the more relaxed spots for shisha in Johor Bahru.
Address: Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Taman Abad, 81100 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Until 3am
Expect to spend: RM20 to RM40 per person
Contact number: +6018-307 7838
Salsabila Shisha Lounge, Larkin
Salsabila brings shisha in Johor Bahru to Larkin, with outdoor seating, a bar serving food, and dancing on livelier nights.
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Address: 6, Jalan Kebun Teh 1, Larkin, 80250 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Until 2am
Expect to spend: RM20 to RM40 per person
Contact number: +6016-744 0440
Tipsy Monkey, Sutera Utama
Tipsy Monkey is a bar first, with live music, DJ nights, cocktails and beer, and it has served shisha in Johor Bahru’s Sutera area too. Call ahead to check shisha is on before you go.
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The food is classic bar fare. Order wings and a burger to share. Try the chicken wings, burgers, cocktails.
Address: 20, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai
Opening hours: Until 2am
Contact number: +6014-855 5894
Is Shisha Legal in Johor Bahru?
Yes. Shisha in Johor Bahru is legal for adults, and lounges serve it openly.
Malaysia’s Act 852, in force since 1 October 2024, bans smoking in eateries and within three metres of their tables, as well as in pubs and nightclubs, with fines of up to RM5,000. Smoke only where the lounge seats you for shisha.
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Tips for Enjoying Shisha in Johor Bahru
- Carry Your ID: IIC Shisha and FOOM Lounge admit guests aged 18 and over only. Bring your passport or IC.
- Don’t Bring Shisha Back to Singapore: Singapore’s ban covers bringing shisha into the country, even for personal use. Enjoy shisha in Johor Bahru and leave it there.
- Book Ahead: Star Hadramout requires reservations. IIC Shisha and FOOM take bookings by WhatsApp, which is worth doing on weekends.
- Check for Service Charges: IIC Shisha adds a 10% service charge. Ask about extras when you order.
- Plan Your Way Back: Most lounges close at 2am or 3am. Leave time for the checkpoint if you’re heading back to Singapore the same night.
For more ideas around the country, browse our Malaysia travel guides.
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