Hookah Lounge In This Economy? Questions...please Answer?

[zain.dhanani]

Hey every one,
I'm new to this forum but like it A LOT based off of what I see!

I want to open a hookah lounge..but have a few questions and concerns..

Although I appreciate every ones time, please only post if you actually own/owned or work/worked at a hookah lounge..thanks.

1. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in this economy?
2. Are the profits that come from adding food worth the extra effort/hassle?
3. Would a hookah lounge run more smoothly if it were only hookah, drinks, finger food and no actual meal food.
4. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in an area dominated by white and black people, that has a VERY SMALL arab, asian, latino population?

any other helpful comment would be greatly appreciated!!

[zain.dhanani]

ALSOOO

If it is lucrative to open a hooka lounge in a non-ethnic area..would you recommend making it an ethnic hookah lounge or more of a sports bar type of lounge. Do you think making the lounge with a middle eastern vibe will push away white/black customers or attract them.

Also, it is within 10 miles of a huge college.

[Victim026]

Hey every one,
I'm new to this forum but like it A LOT based off of what I see!

I want to open a hookah lounge..but have a few questions and concerns..

Although I appreciate every ones time, please only post if you actually own/owned or work/worked at a hookah lounge..thanks.

1. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in this economy?
2. Are the profits that come from adding food worth the extra effort/hassle?
3. Would a hookah lounge run more smoothly if it were only hookah, drinks, finger food and no actual meal food.
4. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in an area dominated by white and black people, that has a VERY SMALL arab, asian, latino population?

any other helpful comment would be greatly appreciated!!

Well I'll throw in my 2 cents, I've worked at several bars that have been well established as well as ones where I was helping set the place up.

1. Hookah bars are tough in general no matter what the economy is, our current status won't make things any easier for ya. It's not a necessity for most people and without a decent college population I wouldn't honestly expect a Hookah Bar to last.
2. In this economy I would say yes adding food would be worthwhile. Depending solely on hookah sales could be tough and having exceptional food would be another thing that would bring customers in the door.
3. It may run more smoothly without it, but I think food is a good thing to have if you have the space and the staff to dedicate to it. Also watch out for smoking laws and such that may keep you from being able to smoke in the same space or that may add a costly ventilation system($20k+) to startup costs.
4. In prior experience middle eastern customers have made up a very small but dedicated group of customers where you could expect the same 3-10 people to be there 5 nights a week. The majority of sales are college kids though and I would expect that the majority of your customer base would be from that crowd which is more important then what ethnicity residents of your area may be.



***Just saw your post saying the bar would be within ten miles of a huge college, I would push to cut that down to a 2-3 mile distance if possible. Lots of college kids stick to whats right near campus and if the closer you can get the better. We've got about 8 colleges where I live and the kids stick to whatever bar is closest to them for the most part. Edited February 17, 2009 by Victim026

[Victim026]

Also what city are you talking about opening in? And are there any other hookah bars in the area?

[zain.dhanani]

Hey every one,
I'm new to this forum but like it A LOT based off of what I see!

I want to open a hookah lounge..but have a few questions and concerns..

Although I appreciate every ones time, please only post if you actually own/owned or work/worked at a hookah lounge..thanks.

1. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in this economy?
2. Are the profits that come from adding food worth the extra effort/hassle?
3. Would a hookah lounge run more smoothly if it were only hookah, drinks, finger food and no actual meal food.
4. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in an area dominated by white and black people, that has a VERY SMALL arab, asian, latino population?

any other helpful comment would be greatly appreciated!!

Well I'll throw in my 2 cents, I've worked at several bars that have been well established as well as ones where I was helping set the place up.

1. Hookah bars are tough in general no matter what the economy is, our current status won't make things any easier for ya. It's not a necessity for most people and without a decent college population I wouldn't honestly expect a Hookah Bar to last.
2. In this economy I would say yes adding food would be worthwhile. Depending solely on hookah sales could be tough and having exceptional food would be another thing that would bring customers in the door.
3. It may run more smoothly without it, but I think food is a good thing to have if you have the space and the staff to dedicate to it. Also watch out for smoking laws and such that may keep you from being able to smoke in the same space or that may add a costly ventilation system($20k+) to startup costs.
4. In prior experience middle eastern customers have made up a very small but dedicated group of customers where you could expect the same 3-10 people to be there 5 nights a week. The majority of sales are college kids though and I would expect that the majority of your customer base would be from that crowd which is more important then what ethnicity residents of your area may be.



***Just saw your post saying the bar would be within ten miles of a huge college, I would push to cut that down to a 2-3 mile distance if possible. Lots of college kids stick to whats right near campus and if the closer you can get the better. We've got about 8 colleges where I live and the kids stick to whatever bar is closest to them for the most part.

Thanks for the help..

In a white+black populated area..would you recommend having an ethnic theme or an american theme?

Im afraid that the ethnic theme might be a turn off

[Victim026]

Hey every one,
I'm new to this forum but like it A LOT based off of what I see!

I want to open a hookah lounge..but have a few questions and concerns..

Although I appreciate every ones time, please only post if you actually own/owned or work/worked at a hookah lounge..thanks.

1. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in this economy?
2. Are the profits that come from adding food worth the extra effort/hassle?
3. Would a hookah lounge run more smoothly if it were only hookah, drinks, finger food and no actual meal food.
4. Would you discourage opening a hookah lounge in an area dominated by white and black people, that has a VERY SMALL arab, asian, latino population?

any other helpful comment would be greatly appreciated!!

Well I'll throw in my 2 cents, I've worked at several bars that have been well established as well as ones where I was helping set the place up.

1. Hookah bars are tough in general no matter what the economy is, our current status won't make things any easier for ya. It's not a necessity for most people and without a decent college population I wouldn't honestly expect a Hookah Bar to last.
2. In this economy I would say yes adding food would be worthwhile. Depending solely on hookah sales could be tough and having exceptional food would be another thing that would bring customers in the door.
3. It may run more smoothly without it, but I think food is a good thing to have if you have the space and the staff to dedicate to it. Also watch out for smoking laws and such that may keep you from being able to smoke in the same space or that may add a costly ventilation system($20k+) to startup costs.
4. In prior experience middle eastern customers have made up a very small but dedicated group of customers where you could expect the same 3-10 people to be there 5 nights a week. The majority of sales are college kids though and I would expect that the majority of your customer base would be from that crowd which is more important then what ethnicity residents of your area may be.



***Just saw your post saying the bar would be within ten miles of a huge college, I would push to cut that down to a 2-3 mile distance if possible. Lots of college kids stick to whats right near campus and if the closer you can get the better. We've got about 8 colleges where I live and the kids stick to whatever bar is closest to them for the most part.

Thanks for the help..

In a white+black populated area..would you recommend having an ethnic theme or an american theme?

Im afraid that the ethnic theme might be a turn off

Theme is purely up to what you want... Personally I would prolly make things a little more traditional, but I've also been to some expectional modern themed hookah bars. Basically just make it what you want it to be and as long as the hookahs/food are good and you give great service the people will come.