What Do You Want To See In A Hookah Lounge? Several Questions

[Hassouni]

So I'm considering the possibility of starting an Arabic style teahouse/bar/hookah lounge with some friends - right now just thinking of ideas, plans, nothing certain or definite yet and it may not happen.

Here's what I can tell you about what I want, if it comes to fruition. We would have natural coals and good seating (as Evan mentioned in TC), hopefully Tangiers, AF, and Nakhla, and, laws permitting, I want to have a bar, and possibly, if it's a 2 story place, a dancefloor w/ DJ booth upstairs or downstairs. Cafe on the street level though. Light food and snacks.

So I have some questions for you:

For those that drink, would you be more likely to go to a place that had alcohol? For those that don't drink, would a place that had alcohol deter you from going?

If a place had a club upstairs or downstairs, but the sound was fairly well contained, and the cafe area was reasonably quiet, would you still go to the cafe or choose someplace without a DJ and a dancefloor?

If you're into clubbing and that kind of thing, would you start or wind down your night having a drink and a smoke?


Overall, I'm curious what else you here, as veteran smokers, would want to see in a place?

[Hellz]

Personally, I'm disappointed the places around ehre do not serve alcohol. I'd love to have some whiskey and a good smoke to go with it in a social setting. Only down side is some drunk tard to knock over your hookahs and burn stuff with the coals. But with the right crowd and whatnot, It should be a pretty relaxed atmosphere. Oh, And a VIP section with bellydancers (maybe even topless) would be pretty nice as well, Would bring in extra revenue plus well.. YOu can attract a higher class of crowd with offering selective services

[Hassouni]

Part of the problem with hookah and alcohol is licensing and smoking bans. DC has exemptions for hookah and cigar bars, but a certain portion of your revenue must come from tobacco, so the smoking prices are more expensive. This is one of the many things I need to figure out before a decision is made to go ahead.

[Arcane]

I'll add more input to this after my meeting, but clubbing usually means overly intoxicated people....that plus hookahs might not be a good plan.

however, i think ifrit's hookah lounge(owned by HF member ih303) operates something similar and they seem to be working.

[joytron]

I would make it really comfortable and set up more conducive to talking. It seems like you either get one or the other around here, like you are on one long couch or sitting at a table with hard back chairs.

Bullk lemonwood/orangewood or whatever. I think they really make the place seem authentic.

Servers who are more knowledgeable, not just the guy packing.

Most of the other things I would want would turn off most people. I like a more authentic than club feel and I really dont think that is plausible in the US

[Hassouni]

Well all the nargile places in Beirut have booze, and a lot of them get people post-clubbing, and they seem to be OK. But yes, this is a valid point and one that needs addressing. If it's a two level place, I'd like the stairs going up or down to be near the entrance. Also, the idea for the club would be a more international vibe vs just getting crunk, which hopefully would attract a slightly less rowdy crowd

[Hassouni]

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1314313315' post='521386']
I would make it really comfortable and set up more conducive to talking. It seems like you either get one or the other around here, like you are on one long couch or sitting at a table with hard back chairs.

Bullk lemonwood/orangewood or whatever. I think they really make the place seem authentic.

Servers who are more knowledgeable, not just the guy packing.

Most of the other things I would want would turn off most people. I like a more authentic than club feel and I really dont think that is plausible in the US
[/quote]

Joytron, see my above post. If the club thing happens, I want to make it physically VERY separate from the lounge area, with really good sound insulation and everything.

As for lemonwood, there's a place that does that here, but they need attending to every 10 minutes. I'm still open to the idea, but my gut feeling is coconut coals.

As for servers, there will definitely be thorough training for employees, provided it's not my partners and I doing most of the packing/bartending/serving

[joytron]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1314313527' post='521388']
[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1314313315' post='521386']
I would make it really comfortable and set up more conducive to talking. It seems like you either get one or the other around here, like you are on one long couch or sitting at a table with hard back chairs.

Bullk lemonwood/orangewood or whatever. I think they really make the place seem authentic.

Servers who are more knowledgeable, not just the guy packing.

Most of the other things I would want would turn off most people. I like a more authentic than club feel and I really dont think that is plausible in the US
[/quote]

Joytron, see my above post. If the club thing happens, I want to make it physically VERY separate from the lounge area, with really good sound insulation and everything.

As for lemonwood, there's a place that does that here, but they need attending to every 10 minutes. I'm still open to the idea, but my gut feeling is coconut coals.

As for servers, there will definitely be thorough training for employees, provided it's not my partners and I doing most of the packing/bartending/serving
[/quote]

No I think that is a great idea, I mean I think that as far as seating goes its worth it to make it more comfortable for everyone than to just try and cram as many chairs and couches as you can. I like the idea of two or three love seats surrounding a hookah(s) but still keeping the easy access to come and go. I think alcohol will be hard to do since the majority of the places I have been primarily filled with patrons under 21

[Chreees]

I'm more for the chill environments. So the dance floor and DJ would not be for me and would deter me if it was the only place to smoke at in your establishment. If you had two separate areas, however, I'd come and simply ask to be seated in the chill area. I think ultimately providing both could greatly benefit your establishment, since you'd be catering to both kinds of people. Alcohol would be nice, but personally for me is not a necessity. I think it'd be better if you had it rather than didn't.

[Rani]

I want half naked hard body men in those cute little djinn outfits. You know, the loose trousers, long sash at the waist I could tug on, and a little vest, no shirt.

Hey you asked!

'Rani

[Epoch]

The fact that you plan on serving natural coal and solid quality tobaccos already makes me like this idea.

Alcohol is good, but not required.

Please make sure the hookah hoses are in decent condition.

[Hassouni]

Yeah, wondering whether to get cheap non-washable hoses (from Lebanon), or go with Razans and use em for everything

[Epoch]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1314317848' post='521404']
Yeah, wondering whether to get cheap non-washable hoses (from Lebanon), or [b]go with Razans and use em for everything[/b]
[/quote]

I would absolutely love this. That said, it's probably not practical for a business to buy such expensive hoses...

[Hassouni]

The place I go to in DC has some KM Pro hoses, so....

[Epoch]

If you can get quality hoses, that will only increase customer satisfaction!

[Satou]

I'd have to agree with the majority of the posts; lounge setting with comfortable seating, something not so disruptive as a dance floor and dj spinning. I personally like environments that promote conversation and relaxation over a bar/dance pit feel.

Alcohol= though nice is definately not necessary or vital in attracting customers. It may be deterring because it would make the establishment 21+, it could attract alcoholics, and various other pre-game individuals who can be disruptive.

Also It isn't just about having good quality hookah hoses that can be cleaned easily but the hookah's themselves should be clean and look fairly well managed. Not like some places I have been too where they are just covered in tin foil, look dingy/scratched up and all that junk.

Also an issue most places/lounges have is the coal 'situation' some people are buzzed, clumsy and etc and tend to knock them over or touch them. As well to a random breeze burning them quickly. In Germany, Turkish lounges have a good idea when it comes to have a cover or tall funnel protecting the coals from random acts of stupidity and air flow.

[Hassouni]

I want to repeat that if there is a DJ and dancefloor it will be separate.

As for 21+ the idea would be to have it licensed as a cafe or something, where individual drink orders are IDed (there are some places in DC like that, cafes with bars)