[fatalwisdom]

Not sure if there are any current business owners of a hookah lounge/cafe on this forum, but if so, I would be honored to hear a response. I'm looking to open a hookah lounge in a my part of Pennsylvania, where there isn't any lounges for over well over 60 miles. I live in a campus-oriented city with over 80,000 population size, and over 10,000-15,000 being college kids that attend the universitys in the city alone. There's really nothing in this area but the normal beer serving bar, but the city if very well developed. It has many shops, and one of the biggest malls in the area down the street. So anyway, Is there anyone out there that can help get started, or have advice on what it would take to be sucessful..I have the money, I'm just wondering if I should go for it or not.

Thanks a lot,

Michael



www.myspace.com/fatalwisdom

[ChampionsChoice]

I've known a few insiders to this business. How can I help?

[farhopper]

I know a couple in Portland, Oregon that have done well, and I see posts about people starting them all over the country. Definitely seems like it can be profitable, just take the time to research it well.

Basic suggestions-
Any bar, hire staff that guys will come in just to flirt with.
Provide great customer service, as a rule.

Good luck.

[ShishaNextStarbucks]

the main college here is kennesaw state university and there are 2 technical colleges in the next town over. and 1 community college in the other town over..and no hookah bars in these 3 towns at all we to drive all the way to downtown atlanta which is 30 miles.

and theres nothing here other then shops, mall, restaurants, and movies. and regular sports bars and grills what not.

[zoobie]

Here in the Philippines there's already a Hookah Bar.

Mostly of the Hookah bars here in the Philippines are also restaurants that serve Hindi foods as well.

I think it would be a success if you will bring this kind of business in your area.

I'm not familiar with how the business run but I just want to wish you luck.

You can do it!

Cheers!

[nordicnomad]

I'm something of a hooka enthusiast after a couple of stations in the Middle East. I own several myself and make it a point to try the establishments near where ever I happen to be living.

So being familiar with the business in that regard, I'd have to say that Hooka's don't really stand alone.

Like someone else mentioned; the best "Hooka Establishments" are first and foremost kickass restaurants or coffee bars that know what their business is and use the Hooka angle for atmosphere, added revenue, and to differentiate their business.

As cool as they are and as much as I love'm, they're really only going to be a glorified smoking section for your business.

[Alphasig319]

That definitely makes sense now that I think about it. I am looking at opening up a hookah bar along a strip of top college bars in the area. I'm not looking for my establishment to rival the other bars on alcohol sales or anything of that nature.

I would like for my establishment to be somewhat of a coffee lounge where people can come in study and enjoy the atmosphere. With that being said though, there is also a starbucks about 60 yds away from where I'm thinking of opening my establishment.

What do you think?