Hooked Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 I Opened a small Hookah Lounge joint with an existing resturaunt last week. Im happy to say its doing pretty well. I've had a good crowd of young college guys every night even with no advertising. Word of mouth is spreading fast. I'm not sure if im pricing my rounds correctly, but for now, to bring people in, Im charging 5 for the first bowl and 3 for refills. I also have food like chicken wings and mixed drinks. This is the first one in my city, the net lounge is 3 hours away. So hopefull it'll pick up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hookah hitman Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 way too cheap. You could easily double that price. Considering overhead in service, cleaning, preparation, hookahs, tobacco, and rent and utilities, you are selling yourself short. And trust me, once a customer has paid $5 for a hookah, they will never pay more than that again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmexx Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 That's not true, they will pay more, but you have to do it slowly. Bring it up a buck fifty a month until you're satisfied, let them know your reasoning, most people understand, it's not so much of a cut-throat business.Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molson Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 well heres its 11 bucks canadian per head. but i think charging 10 emerican is fine especially if the next closest one is 3 hours away. what you can do it advertise that its 5 bucks untill the end of this month then raise the prices so you can say it was a promotional thing. congrats on the new bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyteboy Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 congrats and good luck!! I agree, if you raise your prices, which you shoudl....I think $10 for the first head and $5 for refills would be good, but be sure to put up a notice as to why - rising costs? promotion earlier? etc? best advice would be to be as friendly with your customers as possible and remember as many as possible...at my place in LA, the owner ALWAYS without fail will come over to my table, say Hi Jeff, ask how life is, how my sister who has come in before is doing, etc etc etc and it really makes you feel so comfortable there and really enjoy the experience of relaxing...I won't go anywhere else for my hookah. If you can form this type of relationship, raising your prices $5 shoudn't be a big deal..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 19, 2005 Author Share Posted September 19, 2005 I def keep a close relationship with my customers, I usually sit down and smoke with them, joke around, pretty much become friends. I'm going to start handing out flyers at my college tommorow and hopefully that should get it going Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathazar Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 I think you should not raise your prices, because you're dealing with starving college students. Think of it this way, if you raise your prices, at best, people will probably only have one bowl. But if you leave your prices as is, you're more likely to draw in A LOT more customers who are willing to spend the money you now charge for the hookah for more bowls, and spend the rest of their money on drinks. Drinks is where you're going to make MOST of your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 The place here charges $6 per head,don't know about refills. If you are making your money at $5, keep it at 5. Funny how some of the same people who say that Ma'asell should be cheaper to buy on the internet so they can buy more, are the same folks who tell you you should chrage more to smoke it at your lounge... Congrats on the new place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[LB] Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 adress maybe? or is some remote city ive never heard of... and what college ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 Just out of curiousity, where is it located? I know the hookah bar closest to me charges $7 for the first bowl and $4 for refills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MR Bubble Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 What brand are you serving at that price, and what do you propose to serve at a higher cost. You may consider keeping your price the same but offer a more "premium" brand for the higher price. MR bubble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmexx Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 I have a hookah lounge that charges 6 bucks canadian (5US) but the quality isn't so great, then there's this wonderful lounge that costs 11.50CND (9.83US), worth every penny. Here's the smart thing, they charge college students 7$ before 5PM, so it attracts students and the slightly older crowd as well. I personally think you should push the price up just a bit and have special student rates. Just my two cents, lol the student rates keeps me there! Plus we use the guys place for filming, he's a great guy. Keep it real with your clients ;-)Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 dang, bubble got it out first. I'd do the multiple grade for different prices route myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 20, 2005 Author Share Posted September 20, 2005 It's located In Longwood, FL, near Orlando The compleate addy is 851 E. State Rd. 434 Longwood FL, 32750 407-324-5549 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 cool..post it in the directories and send PICTURES! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 21, 2005 Author Share Posted September 21, 2005 [img]/forum/uploads/Hooked/images/2005-09-20_194204_pic1.jpg[/img][img]/forum/uploads/Hooked/images/2005-09-20_194303_pic2.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 21, 2005 Author Share Posted September 21, 2005 [img]/forum/uploads/Hooked/images/2005-09-20_194411_pic3.jpg[/img][img]/forum/uploads/Hooked/images/2005-09-20_194355_pic4.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 21, 2005 Author Share Posted September 21, 2005 [img]/forum/uploads/Hooked/images/2005-09-20_194437_pic5.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 21, 2005 Author Share Posted September 21, 2005 those are some pictures of my lounge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmexx Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Looking good! I would get some washable hoses, the regluar ones can get nasty quick. Washable hoses are always good if you take care of them! Keep your hookahs clean, it'll keep the avid smokers at your place ;-).Sounds like you know what you're doing so I'll shut up, keep it up, post more pics if you can ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathazar Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Great pictures......I wish you LOTS of success!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooked Posted September 21, 2005 Author Share Posted September 21, 2005 thanx for all the support. I noticed one of my hoses in the 3 hose hookah is kinda clogged, it doesnt suck in easy or blow thru easy. I was going to run water through it but i dont think its washable. anyways, i'll be posting some pics of my customers in the near future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushrat Posted September 21, 2005 Share Posted September 21, 2005 Try working the hose back and forth every inch or so, or cracking it on a table edge or the like, you MAY have build up inside... If it isnt washable, i understand you get about 1 wash out of it, then the inner coil start to rust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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