spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 so I'm planning on owning a lounge as soon as I get my college degree. I want your insight to make a good place that won't dive. Fun things: for sure all HF members will have a discount because you guys are just that awesomeI want the seating to be sunken in seating, in a circle with a place for the hookahs to be in the middle.I guess all in all that's really all I have...I don't know exactly what I will be stocking so I need help with that...what type of hookahs last for the long haul, and all that stuff. Thanks EDIT: oh yah I want to also have it a food eatery as well...and it's going to be dry because I don't want to deal in liquor license's ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 GOOD! Keep it alcohol free, I refuse to go to hookah cafes that serve. Make sure you have TVs to show popular sporting events, that usually draws a big group. Also, go for fountain sodas over cans/bottles. Finger foods are the win. Dips, pizza bites, sandwiches. Make sure you know your stuff, people are more likely to come back or leave other places if you know what you're doing/talking about/serving. Price fair. It could be tempting to charge $20 for a bowl of SB, but is that really fair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 I was thinking of charging $10 for just washed shisha and $15 or so for Tang. I was thinking of adding a cover to the $10 but was told a lot of people don't like that so I won't have cover... and Finger food I didn't really think of that ... Tv's ... that would be a good idea ... probably have a small tv for each seating area with in ....though no sound sub titles would work...... I don't want it to get to loud were you can't talk to a person across from you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuie Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Things the keep me from hookah lounges...DJsCover ChargesDJsOn Floor SeatingDJsPlaces that allow cigarettesDJsBro HangoutsDJsPlaces that won't remove the annoying customersDJsPlaces that don't serve Dr PepperDJsThat's all I got for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Oh you should definately get a DJ too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 I was thinking a Jukebox type thing and the volume would be low were you could whisper to someone across from you if it were crowded... I would try to have an outside seating and that is true I wouldn't want a bro hang out ...though I'm in ASU territory ..." YOUR ONLY ELBOW DEEP" I would probably allow a DJ to set up if I new them well and would post it a week in advance so people who didn't like DJ's wouldn't be bent over a table while they were trying to enjoy a smoke ...All in all I would want a place were say a company could rent it out to have a business meeting but chill enough were you could hang out for hours on end and leave happy and secure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleTheJustin Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Bean bags>couches.I'm just sayin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Just remembered something .... What Brand of Hookah would you guys think would give and give over many uses and are easy to clean .... KM is a thought but I know you guys know more than I do and want your insight I was thinking at least one or two hookahs per table so like 20 hookahs perhaps ... ?@KyletheJustin well I suppose a few seating arrangements would have BeanBags that's a good ideabut like comfy ten person couches in a circle to create a social yet private atmosphereAs well I would make sure me and my friend (friend who's going to be the other employee) know our shit to the core to provide the best service we can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 QUOTE (FSUReligionMan @ Nov 29 2009, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Also, go for fountain sodas over cans/bottles. Finger foods are the win. Dips, pizza bites, sandwiches.Not allowed in Arizona. QUOTE (FSUReligionMan @ Nov 29 2009, 10:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Price fair. It could be tempting to charge $20 for a bowl of SB, but is that really fair?Most places in AZ charge ~12 for SB. That's still too much imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Fountain soda isn't allowed in AZ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Fountain soda's aren't allowed ? .... well I mean they would come in a closed cup and they'd have to ask for a refill ... but cans and bottles would be supplied ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chreees Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 Fountain soda not allowed? Seriously? What's next... ban food? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sin on Sunday Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 i've been thinking about it too, have two seperated areas, one for people that want to study or listen to music so you'd have tables near windows. other side is bean bags, couches, comfy seating for the people that come strictly for hookah. have a tea bar that caters to both sides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon` Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinite Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I'm in Tucson and frequently travel to Tempe. Let me know if you need any help. I'll definitely be your first customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 QUOTE (FSUReligionMan @ Nov 29 2009, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Fountain soda isn't allowed in AZ?Good one smartass Actually theres some dumb law that you can't serve fountain drinks at huka lounges, so instead of ice cold fountain drinks most of them serve luke-warm cans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 QUOTE (Brandon` @ Nov 29 2009, 10:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>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?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 QUOTE (Remy @ Nov 29 2009, 10:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE (FSUReligionMan @ Nov 29 2009, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Fountain soda isn't allowed in AZ?Good one smartass Actually theres some dumb law that you can't serve fountain drinks at huka lounges, so instead of ice cold fountain drinks most of them serve luke-warm cans Screw that I'd have ice chilled cans and bottles then if I can't do Fountain drinks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Caterpillar Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I will give you a snapshot of my only choice in town so that you can decide exactly how you want your place to be (and why I only go if someone else is buying) Locally, our "Huka Lounge" serves SB out of Crystal Myas... of which I had the pleasure of watching a large Tongan man's head smash through it in a drunken brawl (a consideration for your alcohol decision still to be made). It desires the appearance of high class with their flashy hookah choice and dress code, but is essentially a bar that happens to have shisha. Scantily-clad waitresses let the shisha roast to nearly its flash point, but the casual user doesn't seem to mind. Overall, a disgrace to the die hard hookah culture; however, it does extremely well purely from a business perspective. Valet parking aids in dressing this den up in a pseudo-cosmopolitan facade.They have done one thing right: the initial bowl is $12 with each subsequent bowl at $10. The price break gets people to think less of cost and more of what flavor they want next. That will keep the tabs high. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 QUOTE (The Caterpillar @ Nov 30 2009, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I will give you a snapshot of my only choice in town so that you can decide exactly how you want your place to be (and why I only go if someone else is buying) Locally, our "Huka Lounge" serves SB out of Crystal Myas... of which I had the pleasure of watching a large Tongan man's head smash through it in a drunken brawl (a consideration for your alcohol decision still to be made). It desires the appearance of high class with their flashy hookah choice and dress code, but is essentially a bar that happens to have shisha. Scantily-clad waitresses let the shisha roast to nearly its flash point, but the casual user doesn't seem to mind. Overall, a disgrace to the die hard hookah culture; however, it does extremely well purely from a business perspective. Valet parking aids in dressing this den up in a pseudo-cosmopolitan facade.They have done one thing right: the initial bowl is $12 with each subsequent bowl at $10. The price break gets people to think less of cost and more of what flavor they want next. That will keep the tabs high. Best of luck! Well then that statement sets me to make sure it's a dry lounge ...well except for me and my friend who will run it but no shenanigans when working....I definitely don't want people breaking the hookahs.... I still need to decide on a brand of hookah, and the sub-sequent style of hookah.... I want a Base's were you can see the water or what ever they order the bowl to be filled with. I also want for the hookah to be a conversational piece perhaps for the first time smoker so they can have a fancy smoke out of something they will remember. and for beverage I kind of hope I can do a soda fountain but I guess cans and bottles are just fine as well... and most of all it has to be chill but you have to be able to if say a student wanting to study they will have a nice place during the day before business picks up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickimholte Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 i'm thinking you're gonna need some staff. hint hint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 QUOTE (nickimholte @ Nov 30 2009, 01:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>i'm thinking you're gonna need some staff. hint hint Hey if your serious I wouldn't mind... My friend who will be an employee when I open it won't be working everyday so he can finish school so I'll give you a call when I'm getting paper work done from now till two years from now and if you still need that staff position I'll see what I can do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 I got dibs on the bowl loader position. I wish a hookah lounge could exist in Mesa but I dont think it'd do too well if one ever opened up here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectrum055 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Share Posted November 30, 2009 Lol it seems I'll be full staffed before I even get to open it : p ..... well I would have a small amount of slots in the beginning probably the first month or so of business would be just me and my friend running it. Me full time round the clock, and him probably the same. I'll give you guys calls and we'll get it all settled .... One major requirement is that you can pack a mean bowl of Tang. though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillup Posted November 30, 2009 Share Posted November 30, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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