Layout & Atmostphere For Hookah Bar?

[PhxKarma]

I was thinking of doing a early bird type of deal, if you come before 6pm you get $2 off or something.

I have the bar for all the packing and everything, there will be sinks, lots of shelves for the hookahs, etc.

[newjacksm]

Honestly should be 1 price for all shisha, early bird is cool, make it more comfortable then what you shown in the picture. In the corner of rooms put corner couches with a table. This can fit more people and take less room and all in all make people more comfortable. put couches against the wall and a tables running across from it and chairs opposite from the tables. then to work from there you can put little tables and love seats in other spots of the room but make sure it wont be a hazard for your workers and the people around you. Edited February 5, 2009 by newjacksm

[frost91]

i hope to the right thats not a bar....thats gonna be offensive to middle eastern people

[Zinite]

i hope to the right thats not a bar....thats gonna be offensive to middle eastern people

Anyone who would be offended by a bar in a hookah lounge wouldn't be the type of person to go to an American lounge anyways.

[inino]

getting a liquor license is hard enough as it is. any starting hookah bar is going to have to wait a long time to serve alcohol.

[Tyler]

The hookah cafe I posted earlier, Aladdin's, plays Middle Eastern music and refuses to serve alcohol. I wouldn't have it any other way, neither would any of the people who go there. They're a bit pricey, $10 for a single bowl, $15 for a double -- of "regular" which is Layalina, 15/20 for premium, Starbuzz. But they use only KM hookahs with unlimited coals. I hate places that charge per coal.

[NarghileNights]

i think some bigger questions are:

do you need that much space?

how many people are you planning on having per night? ...are you sure?

will you be able to hit that goal right away? if not, save some money on furniture and space it out a little - hold off on going all out with the VIP rooms.

[PhxKarma]

I am not serving alcohol, that is where I will store the hookahs and set them up, plus you can sit there, I plan to put a 42" tv on the wall.

[PhxKarma]

i think some bigger questions are:

do you need that much space?

how many people are you planning on having per night? ...are you sure?

will you be able to hit that goal right away? if not, save some money on furniture and space it out a little - hold off on going all out with the VIP rooms.

I was told to not start small because I would end up failing? I took a business class and they put a emphasis on buying everything you would need at the begining that way you never need more, but I dont know it seems to make more sense to start with it more spread out and see how business progresses.

[Tuscani]

As a Phx local, I have been to damn near every hookah lounge. From what I have seen, particularily in the tempe area, which has the most concentrated amount of hookah lounges (like 5 on apache alone). The most crowded lounges are the modern type i.e. eddies pizza they are almost always packed... Places like Cafe Istanbul are usually way chiller and much less crowded.

Also, as far as seating goes, we look for big soft couches lol bar stools would be a horrible idea.

Hit me up with a PM when you get this place up and running, would love to come smoke and ill give you honest feedback on the enviornment.

[PhxKarma]

The hookah cafe I posted earlier, Aladdin's, plays Middle Eastern music and refuses to serve alcohol. I wouldn't have it any other way, neither would any of the people who go there. They're a bit pricey, $10 for a single bowl, $15 for a double -- of "regular" which is Layalina, 15/20 for premium, Starbuzz. But they use only KM hookahs with unlimited coals. I hate places that charge per coal.

I am doing unlimited coals, I am using exoticas which are rather cheap. I plan on charging $9-$10 for regular (AF, Nakhla) and $12 for Starbuzz. I might offer "specialty" hookahs, larger 2 hose hookahs for $1-$2 more but I am not sure yet.

[Tuscani]

The hookah cafe I posted earlier, Aladdin's, plays Middle Eastern music and refuses to serve alcohol. I wouldn't have it any other way, neither would any of the people who go there. They're a bit pricey, $10 for a single bowl, $15 for a double -- of "regular" which is Layalina, 15/20 for premium, Starbuzz. But they use only KM hookahs with unlimited coals. I hate places that charge per coal.

I am doing unlimited coals, I am using exoticas which are rather cheap. I plan on charging $9-$10 for regular (AF, Nakhla) and $12 for Starbuzz. I might offer "specialty" hookahs, larger 2 hose hookahs for $1-$2 more but I am not sure yet.

could check in where cafe istanbul gets there exoticas... they sell them for 7 bucks a box, which is incredible... a box usually last me 3 weeks smoking by myself and with friends.

[newjacksm]

The hookah cafe I posted earlier, Aladdin's, plays Middle Eastern music and refuses to serve alcohol. I wouldn't have it any other way, neither would any of the people who go there. They're a bit pricey, $10 for a single bowl, $15 for a double -- of "regular" which is Layalina, 15/20 for premium, Starbuzz. But they use only KM hookahs with unlimited coals. I hate places that charge per coal.

I am doing unlimited coals, I am using exoticas which are rather cheap. I plan on charging $9-$10 for regular (AF, Nakhla) and $12 for Starbuzz. I might offer "specialty" hookahs, larger 2 hose hookahs for $1-$2 more but I am not sure yet.

could check in where cafe istanbul gets there exoticas... they sell them for 7 bucks a box, which is incredible... a box usually last me 3 weeks smoking by myself and with friends.

Your best bet is lemon wood bulk coals since they are cheaper and are good once smashed up into pieces and heated.

[tinyj316]

if I were you, I would get rid of two of the VIP rooms... From the lounges I've been to, the VIP room normally sits empty and ends up getting turned into storage. Also, its harder to moderate what goes on in there. Use that space either for added storage, moving one of the bathrooms over there, or setting up a sound system/stage/dance floor there. you can always put tables and chairs in front of it.

I would recommend doing couches on one wall, short tables in front of it, and high backed, yet comfortable chairs across from the couch... This will prevent people from leaning back in the chairs and knocking over stuff. As far as the front left part... I would consider spacing it out a bit more... that way if you do put a stage/dance area in, you can easily move the displaced tables to that area.

Most people want to be comfortable when they smoke, so I would advise against barstools (especially for when people get a buzz and end up falling... it WILL happen, and you might get sued).

As far as a motif goes... the more modern feeling lounges tend to be more crowded than the more "authentic" style lounges. if you can find a happy medium, you will be better off (a stage/dance floor will help)

[cypherkk]

you should have some nice dark spaces, where sex can happen behind undulating clouds of smoke. But, not too private since risk of getting caught is half the arousal.

[Victim026]

you should have some nice dark spaces, where sex can happen behind undulating clouds of smoke. But, not too private since risk of getting caught is half the arousal.

Yeah not sure about that.... Would be scared where people would stick that hose tip.

[soldier92]

you should have some nice dark spaces, where sex can happen behind undulating clouds of smoke. But, not too private since risk of getting caught is half the arousal.

DEFINATELY don't do what he said, in fact, having read that I now suggest you replace all of your ceiling lights with spotlights that line the boundaries of your bar and then remove all the walls, that way you can keep an eye on all your customers.

[Nikon1323]

ive been to AZ and stayed in phoneix and yea there are hookah bars everywere...i went to cafe istanbul which was amazing loved the environment...and we smoked outside which is awesome...but since your in such a warm climate i would try and keep your door open as much as possible to get that ventaliztion goin.....and if you wanted you could buy all your supplies space them out alot more and then like have some just chairs and tables in storage and maybe set some of them up outside in front for people or just if the place gets to packed (oh and if you do have places to smoke outside i suggest at no extra cost throwing in some light up balls in the base, maybe small glow sticks, and also doin like light up hoses like the disco nammors...big hit with people and my friends when we smoked at night...would make it really cool when smokeing outside)