What do you need to start a hookah lounge?

[Nima 978]

What do you need to start a hookah lounge?

I'll start with Hookahs

[Kalutika 667]

The right licences and permits. BIG factor.

[pabloSMASH 20]

Permits

Property

List of suppliers

Capitol

Experience with hookahs (my friends call me a hookah pro ha)

Some type of accountant or a way of keeping track of your finances

Insurance

[Kalutika 667]

Personally I think that serving food is important. You don't have to do three course meals but it's another thing to draw in a crowd and keep people well fed and hydrated while smoking, often for the first time. It's also extra profit.

[pabloSMASH 20]

I was thinking about making it half hookah half alcohol bar but I dont know about mixing alcohol and glass hookahs.

[Kalutika 667]

There are lots that have hookahs and a full bar but they usually have less energetic crowd and don't encourage loud and rowdy people to attend. Some have a rule that customers can't touch the hookahs and they must be moved/removed by employees.

[Nima 978]

I do agree that serving food and alcohol are important. Mainly because for you to stay profitable you need to monetize the store during the entire day.

So serving coffee in the morning, food at lunch and dinner (with hookah) and hookahs in afternoon and at night is the way to go.

[patoenojado 20]

I'd think about finding some nice comfortable lounge sorts of chairs for people to sit on, so that they can relax as they smoke. Maybe do that and have tables where people can eat.

[Nima 978]

Im with you. Hookah lounges should be simply relaxing

[smokerings07 44]

Nice sound system but not loud music.

[Nima 978]

I agree. I hate places that have loud music (specially when they're not even a club or anything)

[smokerings07 44]

Yep! The worst is the constant rap and hip/hop in a hookah lounge. It's amazing how these people stay in business. Well, actually no its not... its because nobody has come around to do it right and challenge them on the open market! Let's do it, ppl!

[pineappledaddy 64]

i have weird tastes when it comes to music i smoke to . i have a playlist that i have recently put together

[smokerings07 44]

I'd love to know what some of those bands are. I like indie rock, underground hip hop, dubstep, 90's alternative, etc. in my hookah smoking playlist.

[Nima 978]

What's that playlist?

[pineappledaddy 64]

hahaha well i listen to lonely island alot . but that s me bc im the funny guy whos always the center of attenion. after i get a few more songs ill send you the link it. its on playlist.com

[patoenojado 20]

Yep! The worst is the constant rap and hip/hop in a hookah lounge. It's amazing how these people stay in business.

Reminds me of the place I smoked at right after I graduated high school, before I knew any better. We always suspected they put sawdust in their shisha.

[pineappledaddy 64]

Hahaha weird notion

[smokerings07 44]

Lol some do taste like sawdust is their key compenents in the hookahs.

[Nima 978]

it wasnt the shisha, it was the hose they didn't clean. lol

[pineappledaddy 64]

Or did you mean that there was a lot of burning taste from it

[rara 20]

i found some information here how to start a hookah lounge.i hope it would be helpful to you.big description how to start hookah bar. http://www.businessideas.net/businessideas/how-to-open-a-hookah-bar-0138

[smokerings07 44]

That link is definitely a great start. The only thing I disagree with is the need for alcohol. With continuously restrictive laws being put into place with smoking, alcohol, and food in an establishment, it could be unwise to jump into that because its perceived as an "essential" part of a hookah lounge. Hookah creates its own community and as long as the atmosphere and quality is good, hookah sales can more than support an establishment alone.

[Nima 978]

eh, I do think alcohol (wine/beer at least) are necessary for a lounge. Not liquor - too much for a chill hookah lounge.

If not main courses, appetizers are a must

[pineappledaddy 64]

eh, I do think alcohol (wine/beer at least) are necessary for a lounge. Not liquor - too much for a chill hookah lounge.

If not main courses, appetizers are a must

absolutely hookah beer food sports! awesome combo. also i think if you offer some alcohol and food ppl wouldnt have to leave to get it. its that whole one stop shop concept. like stated earlier i know i get hungry when i hookah. some garlic fries or a pizza would hit the spot . and i know me always down for some good beer.