hookahsmoker2 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 A friend and I are thinking about opening a hookah bar and we wanted some opinions on what type of tobacco to use. Some brands we are thinking of using include: Al-Fakher, Al-Waha, Al-Sultan, Fumari, Al Amir, and possibly starbuzz. Any thoughts or imput would be very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt-641 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 What I WANT would be Tangiers...But from a buisness standpoint, that might not be the best shisha to get.If I had my own lounge, I'd try and use some cheaper, but still very good brands like AF, Nakhla, and Laylina. You could use some Starbuzz or something similar as a "premium" shisha that you charge a little more for, but I'd have some cheaper stuff too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattarios2 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 I'd want nakhla and tangiers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hojo Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 QUOTE (mattarios2 @ Jul 15 2009, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'd want nakhla and tangiers.This, and only this. Literally the only brands I smoke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antouwan Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 see what bars (if there are any) around you use. generally (at least around here) places have like a tiered pricing scheme. this means more per head for certain kinds of tobacco. whether this be premium, economy, so on. i would say, when it comes to the premium, go with something no one in your area has. this way, people can't compare prices. for instance, if you and a bar down the street both carry SB, he charges 8 bucks for a head, you can't charge any more than 8 bucks. but if you carry fusion and he has SB then maybe you can charge 10 bucks per head, because most people will not know the price difference/breakdown. standard brands are good too. but be different on the stuff you're going to potentially charge more for. make sure your staff is trained as well. there's nothing worse than paying 9 bucks for a hookah, and then being reminded of how shitty they packed it every time i take a hit.i would also recommend something like a frequent smoker punch card. so like every 9 or 10 smokes, some one will get one on the house...that would be cool, and it would keep customers coming in the door for a free smoke but buying drinks or food or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahsmoker2 Posted July 15, 2009 Author Share Posted July 15, 2009 I like that idea of a punch card alot. We've been doing some market research of the surrounding bars. One uses Hookah Hookah exclusively (Not worried about that bar). The other however uses AF for their base hookahs($8) and Starbuzz for their premiums (only $10). However their bar has a shitty atmosphere, we're talking blairing loud music and wooden chairs. So we just have to figure out a way to beat their prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codename067 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 Because I would want to make money, and because I know how to work with the tobacco, and because they have good flavors, Al Fakher.Tangiers for those who appreciate it, Nakhla for more "old school" people, and definitely Starbuzz [I dont like it, but it sells like nothing in all local hookah bars]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattarios2 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 QUOTE (Codename067 @ Jul 15 2009, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Because I would want to make money, and because I know how to work with the tobacco, and because they have good flavors, Al Fakher.Tangiers for those who appreciate it, Nakhla for more "old school" people, and definitely Starbuzz [I dont like it, but it sells like nothing in all local hookah bars].now that there is a solid line of flavors in the mizo line i'd say nakhla is old school as well as new school! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codename067 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 QUOTE (mattarios2 @ Jul 15 2009, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Codename067 @ Jul 15 2009, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Because I would want to make money, and because I know how to work with the tobacco, and because they have good flavors, Al Fakher.Tangiers for those who appreciate it, Nakhla for more "old school" people, and definitely Starbuzz [I dont like it, but it sells like nothing in all local hookah bars].now that there is a solid line of flavors in the mizo line i'd say nakhla is old school as well as new school!No doubt, but I am sure plenty of people smoking at a hookah bar wont even know the Mizo line exists, so I'll most likely stick to those flavors that everyone has smoked [AF, SB, ect] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattarios2 Posted July 15, 2009 Share Posted July 15, 2009 QUOTE (Codename067 @ Jul 15 2009, 06:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (mattarios2 @ Jul 15 2009, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (Codename067 @ Jul 15 2009, 06:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Because I would want to make money, and because I know how to work with the tobacco, and because they have good flavors, Al Fakher.Tangiers for those who appreciate it, Nakhla for more "old school" people, and definitely Starbuzz [I dont like it, but it sells like nothing in all local hookah bars].now that there is a solid line of flavors in the mizo line i'd say nakhla is old school as well as new school!No doubt, but I am sure plenty of people smoking at a hookah bar wont even know the Mizo line exists, so I'll most likely stick to those flavors that everyone has smoked [AF, SB, ect]agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 QUOTE (mattarios2 @ Jul 16 2009, 07:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'd want nakhla and tangiers.QFT. Unfortunately, you'd probably have to stock Starbuzz. I've come to realize the younger generation and college crowds tend to love the more "modern" flavors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyusername Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 QUOTE (Arcane @ Jul 15 2009, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (mattarios2 @ Jul 16 2009, 07:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'd want nakhla and tangiers.QFT. Unfortunately, you'd probably have to stock Starbuzz. I've come to realize the younger generation and college crowds tend to love the more "modern" flavors.QFT, unfortunately the younger generation doesn't realise that there are such better tobaccos out there, makes me worry about the future of my hobby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hartwell778 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Nak and AF to start with because they are the cheaper, then maybe add Tangiers and Starbuzz for a small increase in fee per bowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I really just want someone behind the counter who is knowledgeable about what's on the shisha menu, what they taste like, and what blends well with what,--no matter what brands and flavors the place has. Oh, and someone who will keep me in hot coals without me having to go hunt them down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combs08 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 For the smokers hookah to be flavorful, cheap, and last long, I would go with AF.As the owner, it's cheap and easy to pack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Nakhla, Romman and Tangiers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilarseny Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I'm going to go against the grain and say hookah bars, in general, should NOT stock tangiers, mostly because my experiences with places that do offer it is that they have no idea how to set it up correctly. If you're mush, sure go for it... and no beef against o.p.'s packing skills, but eventually (with luck) you'll have other employees, and they'll be clueless unless they smoke a lot themselves. From a smoker's standpoint, I would say nakhla, but that's my own preference. A word of caution on unwashed shishas, however -- often with hookah bars you get people who haven't smoked before or don't do it often, and nak can knock (ha!) someone out. I'd recommend unwashed that still have some buzz for the newbies, but not too much so that they don't want to smoke ever again. Another perspective that may be unpopular: I've been to a couple lounges where, instead of enforcing a time limit on hookahs before you have to reorder, purposefully use shisha like Havana or Afzal that run out of flavor more quickly than other (better) tobaccos. From a business standpoint, this might be a winning strategy, though people who actually know what's up will probably not like you. I'd recommend looking at Mush's lounge's web page, looking at their menu and how it's arranged -- imo it's good practice to price differently for different shishas, but of course this rules out charging the same (inflated) price for cheap shisha that you do for the nice stuff. Also, once my local lounge introduced starbuzz, no one wanted anything else. You pretty much have to offer it... or for similar out-there flavor choices and smoke quality, fantasia is a good option, though also quite expensive. Just my two cents. I've wanted to open my own lounge for awhile, but alas, I'm a college student and no one will lend to me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcane Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 i see so many people wanting to own hookah bars...sounds really nice. i've actually wanted to own one too, but after listening to all the hassle and stuff...i just want to WORK at one...packing bowls, mixing tobacco, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookahsmoker2 Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 QUOTE (Arcane @ Jul 16 2009, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>i see so many people wanting to own hookah bars...sounds really nice. i've actually wanted to own one too, but after listening to all the hassle and stuff...i just want to WORK at one...packing bowls, mixing tobacco, etc...I agree it is alot of work, we're finding this out more and more everyday, but its what we really want to do. I believe in the age old saying that if you do what you love you'll never work a day in your life, so we're def. going through with it. Thanks again for everyones help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonthert Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Yeah, I agree with Willarseny. The average hookah bar doesn't have the necessary skill set to manage Tangiers. Every hookah bar that does, its one of their best sellers though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svaals Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (combs08 @ Jul 15 2009, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>For the smokers hookah to be flavorful, cheap, and last long, I would go with AF.As the owner, it's cheap and easy to pack.Agreed. Though, I think if I had my own lounge I would offer premium smokes (Romann, SB, etc.) at premium prices, then feature fairly priced AF. Edited July 16, 2009 by Svaals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookah hippie Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 tangiers and AF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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