The Local Seat — Begum's Mind

“Experience local culture”

— The Local Seat's very fitting slogan

2018 is my year to explore more Black owned spots in Houston that offer more vibes, feels, and camaraderie when I walk through the door. My favorite hangout to go to lately is a hookah lounge that feels like a mini-hipster get-away on weeknights called The Local Seat. It's located in 3rd Ward not too far from the campuses of The University of Houston and Texas Southern University off of MLK and Old Spanish Trail (4822 MLK). If you ever step into the establishment you can find any of the three owners, Kevin Mokoli, Natalee Tadassee, or Quintin Conwright floating the space and serving customers themselves. It’s a decent-sized space that feels open and welcoming.

The space has hosted art shows and poetry nights, alumni events, as well as holiday parties that allowed people to come and be themselves and create new friendships. Not only has this spot put in efforts to give our community a place to have fun, the owners also made sure to make this spot a hub for donations during the trying times Harvey’s floodwaters. After cleaning up their own damages, they made sure to create a connection with Dallas to gather donations and have them brought to Houston to give out to families in need in the Third Ward and Greater Houston Area.

There’s never a bad vibe here. Depending on the event, you can either find yourself sitting back chilling, puffing on a hookah for the night or up and out of your seat pouring up spirits and dancing with friends to the music.

It's currently a Monday night and I am capable of listening to soft beats boom over me with current R&B tunes as I watch poets roll in through the door to put on for an open mic night, plates of cajun pasta being sold, and intellectual conversations happening around me all while I study for an upcoming exam. I know, I know, it sounds hectic, but in fact - it’s the most laid back feeling you could ask for. It gives you coffee shop vibes, but let's replace the coffee with exotic and potent blends of shisha that promise nothing but a big effin' smoke.

On Fridays and Saturdays you can catch the in-house Disc Jockee and owner, DJ Bananaz (Kevin Mokoli) spinning tunes that slowly picks the tempo of the night up for the feel of what your favorite college kickbacks felt like that lasts until 4am (Yep, they're open until 4am on Friday and Saturday, so your night doesn't even have to end early after you go out!).

If you're looking for a place with a great decor, great staff, great hookah, other patrons that become your bestfriend when you walk in, and did I mention it's BYOB? Then this is the spot for you and your friends, you and your date, or you and your books to come in and spend some quality time. Whether it be a Monday night and you want to catch some poetry and vibes, or a Friday night where you just want to chill and pour up in good company, this place is what you're looking for.

Take a seat, pop a bottle, listen to the music, blow smoke and vibe out. The Local Seat is definitely the burgeoning Black hangout worth visiting in 2018 and beyond as new ventures occur. Hope to see you here one day!

Owner, Natalee preparing hookahs for guests

- Begum, over and out! ;)

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