Do Hookah Bars Really Know What They Are Doing?

[Bulldog_916]

To answer the OP's question, 90 percent dont know shit. They try to run big margins by running cheap coals and very little tobacco. Price you pay for overhead in california.

[dakur001]

I had my first hookah bar experience in Berlin this summer; some friends and I were walking along the street and some guy that was promoting the place told us that it was 7 euros for a hookah, reduced price cocktails, and a free shot for each of us. We said okay, and when the hookah came there was a pile of mostly unlit coal on top, one piece was fighting to stay alive but that was about it. When I pointed it out to the people they sort of shrugged it off, but finally came by about twenty minutes later and simply dumped more coal on top (lit this time, thankfully), and I wasn't really in any mood to argue so we just made that work. To top it all off, the free shots were shots of just plain old orange juice. I can't imagine all hookah bars are this bad, but I don't think I'll be trying my luck with another one any time soon.

[gunsboy]

I tried about 10 hookah places around Canada, Halifax, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. They ranged from shit to super shit.

Common problems:
- Water level is too low or too high.
- Hose has water on it.
- Quick Lights are not lit completely and taste like shit.
- Bowl is over packed or under packed.
- Water looks like it has not changed in a month.
- No variety of shisha.
- Lots of crap comes out of the hose.
- Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww customer service, and rude if you ask for anything sometimes.
- Too expensive for the quality of products and services.

I have no problem paying good $$ for a good hookah session. But they have no clue how to enjoy a hookah and many times if you ask for more coals or to change something they give you a look like you have two heads.

[714xDGAFxKING]

I tried about 10 hookah places around Canada, Halifax, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. They ranged from shit to super shit.

Common problems:
- Water level is too low or too high.
- Hose has water on it.
- Quick Lights are not lit completely and taste like shit.
- Bowl is over packed or under packed.
- Water looks like it has not changed in a month.
- No variety of shisha.
- Lots of crap comes out of the hose.
- Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww customer service, and rude if you ask for anything sometimes.
- Too expensive for the quality of products and services.



I have no problem paying good $$ for a good hookah session. But they have no clue how to enjoy a hookah and many times if you ask for more coals or to change something they give you a look like you have two heads.

lol very good write up. i agree with you 110%

[delSol_si]

To top it all off, the free shots were shots of just plain old orange juice.

Haha, I had a similar experience. I was at a titty bar before and this gal came over and asked if I wanted a shot. I asked "how much?" she said "$3." So I was pretty happy, sounded like a pretty decent price for a shot. I said "yea, sure." I gave her my $3 plus $1 as a tip of course, and then she hands me a fucking test tube filled with liquid. I drank it and it taste just like kool aid! Didn't taste like it had any alcohol in it at all! I was pretty pissed! I went to work the next day and was talking to the guy washing dishes and told him about the situation and he goes "oh, those are tooters, they have almost no alcohol in them. I had about 30 the other night and didn't feel a thing, cost about $0.50-$1 at the gas station" Ugh, I got fucked. FML

[dakur001]

To top it all off, the free shots were shots of just plain old orange juice.

Haha, I had a similar experience. I was at a titty bar before and this gal came over and asked if I wanted a shot. I asked "how much?" she said "$3." So I was pretty happy, sounded like a pretty decent price for a shot. I said "yea, sure." I gave her my $3 plus $1 as a tip of course, and then she hands me a fucking test tube filled with liquid. I drank it and it taste just like kool aid! Didn't taste like it had any alcohol in it at all! I was pretty pissed! I went to work the next day and was talking to the guy washing dishes and told him about the situation and he goes "oh, those are tooters, they have almost no alcohol in them. I had about 30 the other night and didn't feel a thing, cost about $0.50-$1 at the gas station" Ugh, I got fucked. FML

Ouch, that really sucks. At least I didn't have to pay for mine, that would be even worse to hear you could have got your (nearly) non-alcoholic shot cheaper elsewhere...well, at least you know not to go for the shots at that place again, I guess.

[ih303]

When we used to run our local lounge, we didn't give people tongs for liability reasons.

We discouraged people from moving their own coals all together. If someone were to burn themselves while on our property, it would be our insurance that would be billed which would raise our premiums pressuring us to raise our prices. I know it sucks - especially for those who know what they're doing. But I think it's worth taking the time to explain why tongs are not just handed out with the hookahs.

All of us have probably been burned at one point or another and it's no big deal. But when you run a lounge, you have to make your rules based on that one asshole who would take you to court because he knocked a coal in his lap while trying to move it himself. That's business I suppose. Edited July 27, 2009 by ih303

[714xDGAFxKING]

When we used to run our local lounge, we didn't give people tongs for liability reasons.

We discouraged people from moving their own coals all together. If someone were to burn themselves while on our property, it would be our insurance that would be billed which would raise our premiums pressuring us to raise our prices. I know it sucks - especially for those who know what they're doing. But I think it's worth taking the time to explain why tongs are not just handed out with the hookahs.

All of us have probably been burned at one point or another and it's no big deal. But when you run a lounge, you have to make your rules based on that one asshole who would take you to court because he knocked a coal in his lap while trying to move it himself. That's business I suppose.

thats just crazy. i cant believe how people are so lame sometimes. it's people like that just need to stay home and stop killing it for everyone else.

[delSol_si]

When we used to run our local lounge, we didn't give people tongs for liability reasons.

We discouraged people from moving their own coals all together. If someone were to burn themselves while on our property, it would be our insurance that would be billed which would raise our premiums pressuring us to raise our prices. I know it sucks - especially for those who know what they're doing. But I think it's worth taking the time to explain why tongs are not just handed out with the hookahs.

All of us have probably been burned at one point or another and it's no big deal. But when you run a lounge, you have to make your rules based on that one asshole who would take you to court because he knocked a coal in his lap while trying to move it himself. That's business I suppose.

I see where you are coming from, but not giving me tongs would just give me more incentive to move the coals with my fingers and burn the shit out of myself.