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How to Start a Hookah Lounge in Nigeria
A hookah lounge is a gathering place, much like a bar or social
club, where people go to mingle and socialize around the
activity of smoking hookahs. Hookahs are pipes made of glass or
metal and have long hoses and a bowl at the top. The bowl is
filled with shisha, a tobacco mixture flavored with fruit,
syrup, herbs, spices, molasses, or other ingredients, and topped
with charcoal. Groups of two, four, or six sit around a table
with the hookah placed in the center, and each draws the shisha
from their own designated hose. The device is centuries' old,
appearing first in India and soon used by much of the Middle
Eastern world.
Hookah lounges have exploded in popularity in recent years,
especially among millennials and Gen Z. If you love the communal
vibe of passing around a hookah and think a lounge could thrive
in your area, launching your own hookah business could be a
savvy entrepreneurial move this year.
Starting a hookah lounge can be very profitable. With proper
planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success.
A hookah lounge business offers a unique blend of cultural
tradition and modern social trends. With the rising popularity
of hookah lounges, entrepreneurs have the chance to create
inviting spaces for relaxation and socialization.
Secure a Location for Your Business
There are a few things to consider when looking for a location
for your hookah lounge or hookah cafe. First, you’ll want to
make sure that the space is big enough to accommodate your
guests. Find a place that is quiet and has a relaxing
atmosphere. You’ll also need to find a business location that is
allowed to host smoking lounges.
Hire Staff: When you start going through the hiring process,
remember that you'll need people with the skills and experience
required in your industry. Look for individuals who are
knowledgeable about tobacco, hookah pipes, and hookah
accessories.
Spread the Word
Start promoting your lounge online and locally 2–3 months before
opening. Create an Instagram business profile and TikTok to
connect with hookah fans. Collaborate with local bars,
restaurants and student groups on events. Print eye-catching
flyers and run engaging social media ads. Soft openings and PR
stunts also help build buzz.
You might get customers who've never experienced this Middle
Eastern tradition. Experienced staff members can help answer any
questions that your customers may have. Staff can also help
customers with menu selections if you're serving food, alcohol,
or tea.
You'll also need a social media account for your business.
You might price your hookah by the bowl or hour, but consider
offering a discount. Include the offer in your marketing
strategy if you provide a special or a deal.
What kind of décor is recommended?
Create a lounge vibe with couches, rugs, low lighting and Middle
Eastern décor. Consider gallery walls displaying artwork. Add
tables and seating areas for groups. Invest in a quality sound
system for background music. The goal is a laidback, lounge like
atmosphere.
Plan for at least 1,000 square feet to accommodate seating,
groups, a bar area and inventory. Bigger spaces of 2,000+ square
feet are ideal for large groups and private events. There should
be room for ample seating and a dance floor if you plan to host
events and live music as well.
What are the ongoing costs for operating a lounge?
Ongoing expenses will include inventory like shisha, tobacco,
charcoal and accessories, staff wages and benefits, utilities,
insurance, advertising/marketing, accounting, maintenance and
other general administrative costs. Keep overhead low by
managing inventory diligently.
Should I serve food and drinks?
Offering snacks, small plates, coffee, tea, soft drinks
andmocktails are great accompaniments but not necessary. If you
plan to serve alcohol, ensure proper licensing. Food and drinks
can enhance the experience but also add complexity. Focus on the
hookah first.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Hookah Lounge?
Startup costs for a hookah lounge can vary from as little as
N10M to over N40, depending on many factors, such as whether you
also have a restaurant or bar, the size and location of the
space you lease, and the number of employees. Most hookah
lounges compete based on the variety of pipes and shisha they
offer, the décor, restaurant and bar offerings, and
entertainment.
But it's also important to consider that some of the more
successful hookah lounges offer a full restaurant and bar along
with entertainment. High-end hookah lounges can require a lot of
marketing dollars to garner a steady clientele, and other
startup and operating costs for these businesses can be quite
high. It can take six months or more for a hookah lounge to
break even, and one or more years to be profitable.
Get our Practical Training Guide on how to set up a Hookah lounge in Nigeria. If you are interested in starting a hookah lounge in Nigeria , you can reach us today so that we can work with you to breathe life into your business idea. Our commitment is to help you make the right decisions and get the best results with the budget you have available.
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