It's funny how time can lead a person back to where it all began. Hkan was one of the first hookah joints to open in Pgh and it was the big shizznit back in the day. Then it fell off completely for me but has somewhat re-appeared on my list of acceptable places to meet friends.
Hkan is a somewhat schizoid place. It's part hookah bar, part regular southside bar, part indie/open mic joint. It doesn't do any of those individual pieces spectacularly but it doesn't really fail at any of them either.
The atmosphere is dark and low-key, which fits all three aspects of Hkan's personality. I'm not especially entranced by the musical acts they bring in so I won't comment on those. The bartenders are fun and will make you a pretty strong drink; prices for drinks are reasonable. The shisha is slightly expensif but the flavors are good and the pipes 'hit' nicely. I've come to appreciate Hkan's low-key, more adult ambiance and coupled with the drinks they serve, I do enjoy myself quite a bit when visiting this place.