Creating A Hookah Bar

[KLD]

Now, before we start I want to state right off the bat that I just want your opinions on these matters and don't want you to do my homework for me. Please give me your honest opinions on the matter and hopefully I can provide a large population with the enjoyment of hookah like I have experienced

My father and I have decided to start are own hookah business. He has the money and is willing to spend some to make some, but we obviously have a long road ahead of us.

First off there is no competition in La Vista, Nebraska. The closest hookah bar is in Lincoln which is an hour away. I don't think we will have a problem getting people into the bar, but once we do I want to keep them coming back.

What type of equipment do you think we would need installed besides burners to light the coals?
What type of licenses do you guys think we would need? Excluding liquor if we started serving it
What type of lighting would you recommend? Black? Blue? regular?
What type of shisha would be the cheapest and best quality?
What decor would you guys like to see?
Would you guys prefer couches or chairs?
What coals would you suggest?

Please feal free to give me your opinions on this matter! If you have anything to say please say it and I will heavily take it under consideration.

[Akkbar]

candle light. no chairs or couches, but pillows on the floor. but maybe a few couches for those that cant sit on the floow. decor like a sultans tent. natural coals. serve al waha, but also al fakher for the high rollers.

thats just my idea of a great hookah lounge. good luck.

[Bryantos]

What type of equipment do you think we would need installed besides burners to light the coals?

Im assuming you mean only hookah accessories? You'll obviously need some speakers to play music over the customers. Some places play a mixture of middle-eastern type music, and some play modern and middle-eastern music.

What type of licenses do you guys think we would need? Excluding liquor if we started serving it

I don't know what its called, but don't you need a noise lisence?

What type of shisha would be the cheapest and best quality?

The hookah lounge here uses Al Fahker, and I must say its a good choice. Great flavor, great buzz, and all around good smoke for most flavors. Just stay away from the cherry.

What decor would you guys like to see?

Try to give the place a nice, relaxing, middle-eastern look.

Would you guys prefer couches or chairs?

Pillows for the win. The place around her have these little "bucket" type seats. It looks like they took a bucket, decorated it, and put a pillow on top. Thats not what they did, but it looks like it to say the least. I love sitting on these. Chairs are okay for tables, but make sure they go with the place. Don't just grab chairs and toss them in there.

What coals would you suggest?

The hookah lounge here use all Mya QT hookahs, with one or two acrylic vortex hookahs they bring out when they're busy. The name of the coals they use are called "Hookology"(May be spelled wrong). They toss two of those on, and come out with two more when these are finished. You have to ask for more coals, though. they just toss them on and don't rotate them or anything.

[KLD]

Heh I totally forgot about music, thanks for your input, every little bit helps!

[MechAnt]

My local Hookah Lounge uses KM Hafas. They smoke like a dream and look great too. Tons of extra hoses are a most as are plastic tips. Natural coals are also a must as are many extra bowls. There is a three tier system of tobacco that is served at this lounge as well. On the menu, they have the basics but don't tell what the brand is (from what I can taste, Al Amir which is decent and cheap), then Al Fakher for $4 more, and then Starbuzz which isn't even listed on the menu for $4 more dollars than the AF. So the pricing is $12, $16, and $20. The waitresses always tell us about any specials going on, which there always is. Food service is great too. Doesn't have to be full blown meals, but fries or something would be great. Since it's most likely outdoors, heaters are a must on those cold nights. A coal boy or two that walks around constantly to stir bowls, blow thru them, and replace coals is good too. I tend to ash coals myself at lounges so the convenience of someone doing the bitch work is great. I'll add more if i can.