Hookah lounge in a smoking ban town??

[Mrs.Rose]

I want to open a hookah lounge in my town, but I just found out there is a non-smoking ordinance here. Basically it is a smoking ban in public places, including bars.
I am getting nowhere trying to get answers from the city. Is there a way around this?

Or, any suggestions of who I can try to contact in the city to get more information or try to get permits?
I contacted the city and no one has returned my call. I also emailed and I recieved a reply with an attachment to the actual ordinance and it said "for any more questions contact the fire department." ???

I know there is a smoking ban here... but what if my lounge sold the tobacco and with the purchase you could use a hookah for free? Is that silly?

Also, I know that the ordinance states that smoking is prohibited in even private clubs... is this business just not going to happen for me??

Any thoughts are appreciated...

[est1979]

It sounds to me like you might have to rethink your concept. In my hometown, there was a place similar to what you are describing....they offered food, atmosphere, and of course, hookahs. But smoking is smoking. And I don't think that what you are wanting to do is in line with what is permitted, unfortunately. But maybe this is an opportunity to expand on the idea using different angles (leaving the hookah smoking OUT of the equation). What if, instead, you opened a little cafe that had floor pillows, low tables, morrocan embellishments, food, turkish coffees, wine, low lighting, music, bellydancers....maybe you could burn non invasive incenses that are reminiscent of the hookah tobacco, so that you maintain ambiance. Also, think of your market....if the town has implemented non smoking (which they did in FL too...at first it was WEIRD, but after a while, people got used to...and even appreciated...it) policy, then, it is probably going to stay that way for a long time. Maybe you could write it into your biz plan to bring in the hookah if the ban is ever lifted. Just be careful if you decide to go more cafe than lounge.....do your research and make sure a niche restaurant like that is likely to survive in your area.

[GlobalWealth]

I have been to a bar in Palo Alto, CA that would rent the hookah and sell the tobacco. In Palo Alto there is an indoor smoking ban, but somehow it was allowed there.