Spectrum055's Future Hookah Lounge

[spectrum055]

you also want to check out the laws reguarding smoking/eating. I know that in order to smoke in a bar here in florida you can only have only a certain percentage of your sales come from food.

well it would be foremost a lounge...if I can find a building were I can divide it or make the roof an eatery I will have a pure food section ...but if I can't it will be a lounge with finger food at best..

[nars2k]

Well let me give you my .02 since I have been working at a hookah lounge for a while.

TVs are a must for sporting events.
You need music. A DJ is not necessary but can sometimes help.
Regular tables and chairs will do, but couches are a plus.
We use the 20" Mya Saray ORB hookahs and also have KMs.
The Mya is easy to clean. It's a screw on so its easy to handle.
For coals I would recommend you use Best of the West 100% Mesquite coals. Cheaper than any "hookah coals", fairly easy to handle, and lasting.

For beverages I also suggest fountain, but I don't know about the Arizona law.
Food, definitely a must. Also a plus if you are able to serve some middle eastern foods.

Just from my experience at working at a successful hookah lounge.

[spectrum055]

Well let me give you my .02 since I have been working at a hookah lounge for a while.

TVs are a must for sporting events.
You need music. A DJ is not necessary but can sometimes help.
Regular tables and chairs will do, but couches are a plus.
We use the 20" Mya Saray ORB hookahs and also have KMs.
The Mya is easy to clean. It's a screw on so its easy to handle.
For coals I would recommend you use Best of the West 100% Mesquite coals. Cheaper than any "hookah coals", fairly easy to handle, and lasting.

For beverages I also suggest fountain, but I don't know about the Arizona law.
Food, definitely a must. Also a plus if you are able to serve some middle eastern foods.

Just from my experience at working at a successful hookah lounge.

Dude thank you. I can know I suppose start my list of things I will need. I'll check out those coals, I was thinking of the Mya because of the ease of cleaning them. I have a Mya Petite and I can do a very nice cleaning, and my KM is a harder one to clean....but I'll take those into consideration thanks again good sir..

[nars2k]

Glad to help, If you have any other questions PM me.

Well let me give you my .02 since I have been working at a hookah lounge for a while.

TVs are a must for sporting events.
You need music. A DJ is not necessary but can sometimes help.
Regular tables and chairs will do, but couches are a plus.
We use the 20" Mya Saray ORB hookahs and also have KMs.
The Mya is easy to clean. It's a screw on so its easy to handle.
For coals I would recommend you use Best of the West 100% Mesquite coals. Cheaper than any "hookah coals", fairly easy to handle, and lasting.

For beverages I also suggest fountain, but I don't know about the Arizona law.
Food, definitely a must. Also a plus if you are able to serve some middle eastern foods.

Just from my experience at working at a successful hookah lounge.

Dude thank you. I can know I suppose start my list of things I will need. I'll check out those coals, I was thinking of the Mya because of the ease of cleaning them. I have a Mya Petite and I can do a very nice cleaning, and my KM is a harder one to clean....but I'll take those into consideration thanks again good sir..

[Arcane]

if i was to go to a lounge, here's what i want....not including atmosphere:

knowledgeable staff
a person who knows how to properly pack a bowl
good brands/flavors
and a decent set-up (QT + high flow hose)
and i actually want a beer or an alcohol beverage as an option, but not necessary...
chill music....

what i don't want:
rock/metal/heavy bass hip hop/etc
cig smoking inside
cover charges
charges for "coals"

[rhineholt]

if i was to go to a lounge, here's what i want....not including atmosphere:

knowledgeable staff
a person who knows how to properly pack a bowl
good brands/flavors
and a decent set-up (QT + high flow hose)
and i actually want a beer or an alcohol beverage as an option, but not necessary...
chill music....

what i don't want:
rock/metal/heavy bass hip hop/etc
cig smoking inside
cover charges
charges for "coals"

+1
oh, and plllleeeasseeee card. don't let the little teenies in just to make an extra buck. It's really not worth it and it will run your loyal of age customers away. I've been to a few and I liked it, but then I realized it was more so for 16-17yr olds... I never went back.
Don't make the pricing to complicated. I prefer when they charge per head, not by how many people there are. 3 people to a hookah...
Yeah, I got class in 10 min. I'll be back though.

[Brandon`]

Mya's are usually the choices in hookah lounges, quicklights of course unless ur really trying to get down then you can try nats but thats so much more work. I say us Al Fahker, It's cheap and tastes good. You could use starbuzz but you would make more with Al Fahker charging 10 for a hookah and like 6 for a new bowl. Starbuzz is 46 bucks for 1KG and each bowl is about 20 grams if packed right, thats 50 Bowls per KG. If you charge lets say 13 For a hookah and 6 for a replacement bowl I say ur average between the replacement bowls and the full price hookahs would be around 11 bucks bc alot of people don't get new heads so 11 * 50 = 550, 550 - 46 = 504 Bucks profit per KG. Just saying.

0_0 wow thanks Brandon that's some great advice. well then I'll base my stuff around that ... what would you say would be fair for Tang.... I was thinking $15 a bowl for that and I guess 6 or so for a new bowl then I guess??

Well If you think about it Tangiers is acually cheaper then Starbuzz... Why would you charge more? Wholesale for people out of California, Tangiers Noir is $33 Per Kilo, Tangiers Lucid is $38 Per Kilo, When you buy over 30, you get 3 Kilo's free. I'm not sure if you want Unwashed stuff and Washed stuff because ur stock would of to be huge. But you could charge 13 for Noir and 15 for Lucid (Only saying 13 for Noir because you have to accimilate it so it takes more work). With Tangiers it's a completly different story tho, Running off Regular egyptian bowls, That stuff is just to juicy so if you do use Tangiers you'll most likely have to use Phunnel Bowls which cost more, and hold about 40 Grams of Shisha compared to 20. And not only that everyone knows that Tangiers doesn't like quick lights so you'll have to use Natural Coals and keep them heated for everyone and thats just a headache. But if your thinking Tangiers W/ Phunnel bowls is 25 Bowls per Kilo. For Noir, 25 * $13 = $325. Not to much in my opinion compared to Starbuzz + you migh have to use Naturals. For lucid it's still 25 bowls so 25 * $15 = $375. I mean you could use it with a Egyptian bowl but thats usually never works out but if you do use that, it's still 50 bowls per Kilo an if your charging 13 per bowl its $650 Bucks but if your charging 7 for a replacement set ur Margins at about 11 Again that would be $11 * 50 = $550 - $33 for the Kilo = $517 Bucks Profit per Kilo. For Lucid Lets say 15 for a New hookah and 8 for a Replacement, Set ur margins at I guess 13? So $13 * 50 = $650 - $38 = $612 Per Kilo. You could use quicklights with the Egyptians if you know how to get it down. Hope this helps.

[KyleTheJustin]

My hookah bar will be raging some rad ass techno/trance/hard style in with the other music! Some people really dig the sound of a good bass beat when smoking--I being one of them!

Play a variety of music. Don't just stick to pussy college indie shit, because that gets old after about 10 seconds. It is, however, necessary to help cater to the needs of those who like to cry and wear scarves to coffee shops.

Keep it open! Have some fun with the lighting, as well. I love a sorta spooky and dark hookah bar.

[Stuie]

Oh you should definately get a DJ too!

*kick in the shin*

[Zinite]

Oh you should definately get a DJ too!

*kick in the shin*

Agreed. Find a bunch of instrumental music and just let it play.

[mint]

You would make more money from having chilled bottles drinks than having a fountain. At the lounge I worked at there was a drink requirement rather than a cover, and each drink was 2 dollars, with energy drinks being 4 dollars. A 24 case of water is about 4 dollars, but at 2 dollars each you make about 48, which gives you over a 40 dollar profit just from that..

They also charged more for 2, 3, or 4 hosed hookahs, I think it was an additional 2 dollars per hose. There was also a VIP section that was upstairs that was a larger area with a minimum purchase requirement that was also popular.

[spectrum055]

Sweet thanks again Brandon, your a huge help with finding pricing.

With pricing I probably wouldn't make much selling them but probably go for $1.50 or so for a bottle and probably $75 ---> $1.00 for a canned soda... and water probably a dollar for a small bottle of like arrow head or what ever is bulk at Costco.

with food.... perhaps chips/cheese, mini pizza slices, and other kitchen made finger food

[Brandon`]

Dangit I forgot to add the freebies for the priceing. That will just mess up the pricing but don't forget if u order 20 or more kilo's of Tangiers u get 3 free so you acually save about another 90 bucks down the road.

[spectrum055]

Dangit I forgot to add the freebies for the priceing. That will just mess up the pricing but don't forget if u order 20 or more kilo's of Tangiers u get 3 free so you acually save about another 90 bucks down the road.

Dang.... that's sweet


but I'm thinking of doing little things in the lounge that will be like after so and so purchases of a hookah you get a free hookah ..... maybe do monthly or perhaps every other weekly raffles to keep it busy ...

[nars2k]

As for flavors we buy our flavors from a wholesaler. Our traditional flavors are Naklah and Layalina. and "Premium" is starbuzz. We also carry Al Fakher.

We Charge $12 for traditional
$15 for Al Fakher
$18 for Starbuzz and $7 for another Bowl

We use regular Egyptian clay heads. The starbuzz juice does leak into the water but its not a big deal.

Also for the staff. Make sure they know what theyre doing

Make sure you have a few hookahs that are just for mint and a few just for double apple.

If you want more profit you would deff need to serve alcohol but make sure you check the Alcohol and tobacco license laws in your area first.

Waitresses, I cant stress this enough. Make sure they are nice and have a good attitude. Weve gone through so many waitresses and the ones who are nicer and have better attitudes are able to Upsell( selling more things on the menus), increasing your profit.

[spectrum055]

Dang Nars2k that's a mine full of information I thank you so much.

What I have for waiters and stuff is basically me and my friend and I guess the other HF members in the area who have an interest when I start looking for more employee's.

So far what I have is that you come in sit down there will be a menu with pictures of the hookahs and names of the flavors and brands .... there will be a card and a pencil for them to select or just use a notepad and take there order. Then set up the stuff and bring it out to them. they will have a bill waiting and they can add to it as long as they are there enjoying... they will then go out a different door were the cashier is or just ring them up while they are still sitting if they feel they don't want anything more... the cost of coals will be estimated into price....

But I do have to say why so much for starbuzz... I've never smoked it but I guess I should get some and try out what all the craze is... I would think Nahkla and tang to be the ones that are more expensive and like AF and that stuff to be the cheaper of the totem...


For bowls probably use egyptian bowls for everything that is a washed shisha and for the unwashed like Tang use only phunnel bowls.

I'm not big on the alcoholic beverage and if I must get a liquor license I'll post a sign about a limit I'd rather not have it a place for people getting drunk and will probably only carry a few of the popular hard liquors and a few brands of darker beers that could add to the flavor of the hookah which will entice the patrons to drink it more slowly...because well yah I just don't want drunken shennanigans.. which sadly I know won't work in my favor so I'll play that one by year.... but might as well have house special drinks like home made lemonades and ice tea's and hell I'm buying a turkish coffee set so might have a small coffee selection for those who want a nice warm beverage.

I guess I'm not really looking for more so quick profit but something that will pay for it's self later in the future...and something that will pay bills and gather people to make it a nice hang out but that isn't anything five star but has a feel of a five star hang out perhaps .

and with that ideal of the style I want I guess in the beginning I'll have a suggestion box were people can write down what they liked and didn't like so I can make it better for the patrons

[Remy]

My hookah bar will be raging some rad ass techno/trance/hard style in with the other music! Some people really dig the sound of a good bass beat when smoking--I being one of them!

Play a variety of music. Don't just stick to pussy college indie shit, because that gets old after about 10 seconds. It is, however, necessary to help cater to the needs of those who like to cry and wear scarves to coffee shops.

Keep it open! Have some fun with the lighting, as well. I love a sorta spooky and dark hookah bar.

what about pussy college indie shit+ techno/trance?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TbvrEQsY4c

haha

[Emberke202]

Hello M8!
im glad that u r thinin about this buisness, u'r gonna do what u love..
Reading all the posts, its getting better and better.
I think tang sb af and nahkla is way enough of choice.
Maybe you could somehow think about ppl, who get used to natural coals.. i mean i cannot go to a hookah lounge here in Hungary, cuz they use three kings ql's, and after 10 mins, im just smokin the coal... there must be a stuff on the market in which you can easily light up a bunch of naturals.
And maybe for some bucks you could give a narbish or razan.
Good luck with it, i hope its gonna be a huge success.
In addition, are there in the area a lot of hookah lounge, with wich u gotta compete?

[spectrum055]

Hello M8!
im glad that u r thinin about this buisness, u'r gonna do what u love..
Reading all the posts, its getting better and better.
I think tang sb af and nahkla is way enough of choice.
Maybe you could somehow think about ppl, who get used to natural coals.. i mean i cannot go to a hookah lounge here in Hungary, cuz they use three kings ql's, and after 10 mins, im just smokin the coal... there must be a stuff on the market in which you can easily light up a bunch of naturals.
And maybe for some bucks you could give a narbish or razan.
Good luck with it, i hope its gonna be a huge success.
In addition, are there in the area a lot of hookah lounge, with wich u gotta compete?

Yup I'll have two I know I'll have to compete with... both are close to each other one caters to a more bro hang out during games and stuff one caters to a more middle eastern I would say and is more traditional and is were I get my shisha and coals sometimes .... so I know what I'm up against and I know there prices and there stock and it's a tall order but combining the best of both would give me the fighting chance to gain a regular customer basis...

[nars2k]

No problem, but honestly charging for coals might make some upset, and in my opinion just isn't a good idea.
Just buy all natural coals, make them in a grill, and just use charcoal carriers/holders and have a part of the hookah staff go around giving people coals. Quicklights are terrible, Exoticas and Coco Naras will end up costing you too much to be worth it. You can get a 40 pound bag of Best of the West for about $12 and that should last you a good while. It will be cost effective, more reliable and easier to deal with.

[Brandon`]

If your using nats and phunnels, Charge bc thats about 3 coals per bowl.. IF your using quick lights give them 3 coals 1 on the bowl and 2 in the tray. A box of 3 kings wholesale is 7.99 and thats for 100 pieces 10x10 rolls thats about 8 cents a coal costing you what 24 cents for the coals? Thats nothing but charge them for more after that maybe like 2 for a buck? You make 42 cents a coal that way...

[spectrum055]

No problem, but honestly charging for coals might make some upset, and in my opinion just isn't a good idea.
Just buy all natural coals, make them in a grill, and just use charcoal carriers/holders and have a part of the hookah staff go around giving people coals. Quicklights are terrible, Exoticas and Coco Naras will end up costing you too much to be worth it. You can get a 40 pound bag of Best of the West for about $12 and that should last you a good while. It will be cost effective, more reliable and easier to deal with.

Well I was meaning to use coals like that but a small portion of each bag say like charge 1 dollar or add a slight tax of $.10 so ten sales is 1 dollar... 100 sales will be $10 towards the next bag but after that .10 they can sit there for hours and use more then .10 worth of coals in a single session most likely or hell $.05 would still work... so all in all I wouldn't make a profit persay because all that money would go straight into the next batch of coals..


But I won't use QL on the Hookahs because well I don't use them unless I have to so if it's not good enough for me it's not good enough for the customer...

[Dr. B]

don't try to cost the coals as variable: absorb the cost of coals into the cost of a hookah and subsequent bowls. The amount of effort required to cost coals variably is not worth it

[Dr. B]

p.s. have an accountant?

get one

[LZ22]

Your best bet is to go and visit every hookah lounge you can think of. There is no better insight than visiting other business in the same market and figure out what they are doing good and bad. Ask customers that go in and out what they particularly like about it. Do your market research! Figure out if your target market is going to be casual smokers? Seasoned pros? You can offer tiers of service: $10 for regular shisha with QL coals, $15 for better shisha and maybe carved fruit for bowls (a lounge by my house has a special called the fireball where its orange flavor in a bowl carved from an orange; this can be something that gives you a competitive advantage over other lounges), then $20 for premium shisha and natural coals and a phunnel. Do not charge for coals people will not like that one bit.

Theres two lounges by my house that have different pricing strategies. One of them simply charges $15 for a starbuzz bowl. The other one charges per head: its like $10 a person if your group is under 5. Then $7 if its 6-10. Those aren't exact, but thats the system they use and then your whole group has a tab and can spend it on whatever they want (more hookahs, food, drinks, of course they can go beyond the tab too).

Those are just some random thoughts. But like I said. Visit other lounges to get primary input, you'll save yourself a lot of money in the long run and better understand your customers.

Other than that, you will fail if you don't serve mozzarella sticks.