How to open a hookah bar from scratch: all stages of creation and advice from business owners. How to open your hookah bar from scratch: necessary investments and payback What you need to open a hookah bar

How popular is hookah bar in general? Many people are scared off by the 2013 anti-tobacco law. When preparing hookah, both tobacco-free and tobacco-containing mixtures are used, so other owners of cafes and restaurants, who previously had a so-called hookah area in their establishments, abandoned this idea.

Therefore, from the point of view of legislation, a hookah bar is an absolutely legal type of business activity, subject to compliance with the requirements prescribed by law. This article contains a comprehensive answer to the current question in Russia about how to open a hookah bar and how legal it is.

Opening a hookah bar involves drawing up a clear business plan with the following stages:

• Find a room - on the territory of an existing restaurant or cafe (which is more profitable) or separate;
• Prepare it for opening in compliance with all legal requirements;
• Decorate and decorate the premises;
• Purchase the necessary equipment, decide on additional assortment.
• Find suppliers of tobacco and non-tobacco mixtures, related products (foil, coals, etc.)
• Launch an advertising campaign;

Basic startup costs

• Business registration. The cost is about 1000 rubles. – from 20,000.
• - about 1000 rubles.
• Premises rental – from 20,000.
• Design project for a hookah bar – from 30,000 rubles.
• Decoration and equipment of the premises - about 200,000 rubles.
• Installation of ventilation systems, fire safety, etc. to start operating - about 50,000 rubles.
• Purchase of hookahs and spare parts for them – from 50,000.
• Hookah maker consumables (tobacco, coals, foil, etc.) – from 10,000 rubles.
• Other expenses – 50,000 rubles.

Thus, you will need an initial investment of 400,000 rubles. It’s better to have at least 600,000 rubles in order to be able to pay rent for the premises, pay salaries to employees, etc. if unforeseen circumstances arise.

What is better - opening your own hookah bar from scratch or buying a ready-made business?

Although buying an existing business is a simpler and for many a logical decision, it is not a universal way out of the situation. An owner can sell an existing business for a number of reasons, which usually take a long and expensive time to resolve.

They usually sell an unprofitable business, because one that is working brings good profits to its owner. Usually the most popular reason for selling a business is the founder changing his field of activity. And usually, this is just a beautiful legend for buyers.

When buying a hookah bar, it is important to consider:

• Location.
• Presence of competitors nearby;
• Compliance of the premises with fire safety conditions and Rospotrebnadzor requirements;
• Decoration of the premises, style of the establishment;
• Turnover for the last few quarters;
• Competence of employees;

When purchasing an existing business, it is optimal to hire a business consultant or coach to analyze the company. The reason for selling a hookah bar can be anything, but buying a business that is obviously unprofitable means throwing money away.

Premises requirements

To open your own hookah bar, the requirements for the premises are regulated, first of all, by the law on the prohibition of smoking. Therefore, when choosing, you need to pay attention to certain factors:

1. The room must have fire alarm, good exhaust hood, ventilation system.
2. A kitchen should not be placed in a room where hookahs are smoked. Therefore, to open a hookah cafe, you need to open two different premises next door, delivering food and drinks from the cafe to the hookah bar to order. You can also agree to rent a separate area at an existing cafe or restaurant (if hookahs are not on their menu and are not offered to guests).
3. The room must also correspond SES standards.
4. A hookah bar is an establishment where people come to sit quietly, smoke and relax. Often its operating hours are 24 hours a day, which may not be liked by residents of nearby houses, so if you open a hookah bar in a residential area, you should take into account the factor of neighbors.
5. The ideal choice for a place for a hookah bar is premises adjacent to an existing bar or restaurant. A constant flow of customers in a restaurant is very convenient, since if you agree with the restaurant owner and allocate a certain percentage of the profit to him, he will actively advertise your services, and everyone will be happy.

To open a small hookah bar you will need space at least 50 square meters. It is necessary to equip the room by dividing it into individual smoking areas (so that guests can sit in privacy), and allocating several larger areas for offices for large companies.

For zones designed for one or two people, it is enough to allocate about 2-3 square meters area. For large companies - from 5 to 10 squares.

Important! To open a hookah bar, it is completely inappropriate to rent a separate room. It is much more profitable to equip a separate area for any entertainment establishment.

Good to know! When choosing a location, pay attention to the average bill of the establishment where your hookah bar will be located. It must be from 1000 rubles. The minimum number of visitors at a given point per day must be at least 60 people.

Room decoration

Hookah comes from eastern countries, so it is logical to use an oriental theme when decorating the interior. Soft pillows, low tables, all kinds of fabrics, even a mini-tent for a large company - everything can be included.

It is advisable to invest in a good designer who can create a truly unique and recognizable style for the establishment. This, of course, depends on the starting capital with which you plan to launch.

A good audio system and thoughtful lighting are a must. Intimate, subdued soft light creates a cozy atmosphere in the establishment, allowing visitors to truly relax.

Documents required to open a hookah bar

If you don’t want to wait in horror for an unscheduled inspection from Rospotrebnadzor, before opening a hookah bar you should take care obtaining all necessary permits:

• Certificate of (individual entrepreneur or LLC);
• Permission from the fire department;
• Permission from the SES;
• License to sell tobacco products (if you plan to serve hookahs with mixtures containing tobacco);
• License for retail sale of alcoholic beverages (if it is planned to sell alcoholic beverages in addition to hookah);

Staff

Hookah lovers often have it at home and smoke it regularly. Therefore, the idea of ​​hiring people without experience and quickly teaching them how to make hookahs is often doomed to failure.

An ordinary person who is not a hookah fan will not notice the mistakes of incompetent employees, but with hookah fans these mistakes should not be allowed. Therefore, finding employees will be quite difficult.

Who can be considered a good hookah piper?

• A hookah maker must be able to make many different hookahs - fruit-based, water-based, wine-based, designer hookahs;
• He must replace the coals in the hookah on time;
• He must really love hookahs - only a truly enthusiastic person can devote himself completely to work.
• An experienced hookah man creates a special atmosphere with his mere presence, and guests come to such establishments precisely for this.

Usually a hookah man works according to the following payment system: exit fee + percentage from hookah sales + tips from guests.

Exit fee: from 500 rubles.

Usually the cost of a hookah– from 500 to 3500 rubles. The hookah man receives up to 20% of sales.

Sufficient for working in a small establishment two hookah workers. Since an establishment of this format is usually 24 hours a day, hookah workers must work in shifts.

Expenses for from 30,000 rubles per month.

Results

Opening a hookah bar is something that pays for itself quickly – on average, from 3 to 6 months. No major investments required - from 400,000 rubles.

The minimum net profit from a hookah bar is from 80,000 rubles per month. And if you comply with the requirements described in the article, there should be no difficulties with the law and inspectors.

How to open a hookah bar from scratch? Detailed instructions in this video:​

In June 2014, a smoking ban law was passed. In addition to cigarettes, hookahs with tobacco mixtures were banned. All cafes, restaurants and nightclubs that received good profits from hookah sales had to close down their popular business. Entrepreneurs and guests began to question whether hookah bars were even legal.

In this article we will tell you how to legally open a hookah bar. What documents are needed for this and how to avoid fines.

Law on hookah bars in 2016: rules of the game

By law, hookahs with tobacco mixtures are prohibited from smoking in public catering establishments. The exception is hookahs with steam and tobacco-free mixtures. The problem is that they are not very popular among visitors.

But we are not talking about banning hookah bars. Is it legal to open a hookah bar? The answer is yes. However, now opening a hookah bar is much more difficult.

How to open a hookah bar legally in 2016?

What to consider when creating a hookah bar:

• According to the law, hookah bars - these are closed clubs “based on interests”. The guests' interest is hookah. Some entrepreneurs advise making guests members of the club. This is rather a formality: first-time visitors are given a simple questionnaire in which they write that they know about the dangers of smoking. The form is needed for checks. Since we are talking about a closed club, it is not recommended to make a sign.
• In the hookah bar you you cannot sell food and drinks. Guests can bring their own food or have it delivered. The main condition is the presence of receipts confirming that it was not you who made the sale. If you are thinking about how to organize a hookah bar legally, forget about selling food illegally. An acceptable alternative is vending machines.
• Persons Those under eighteen years of age are prohibited from visiting hookah bars. Experienced managers recommend increasing the age limit to twenty-one years. All the same, this age category does not bring in much profit, and the noise from such companies disturbs the rest of the guests.
• Necessarily install a cash register. For the whole Tobacco for hookahs must have excise taxes and labeling. If the lack of cash register equipment entails small fines, then non-excise tobacco is a serious violation.

Inspections of hookah bars have shown that Rospotrebnadzor can issue fines for violating these hookah bar rules. To understand how to organize a hookah bar, read the new smoking ban law. Study all the judicial precedents: why hookah bars were fined in the country. Don't repeat other people's mistakes!

What documents are needed to open a hookah bar?




Due to the law banning smoking in public places, many entrepreneurs do not know what documents are needed to open a hookah bar and do they need a license? The list of documents is small, and you won’t have to obtain permits for a hookah bar.

How to legally register a hookah bar. Required documents:

• Registration of a legal entity: individual entrepreneur or LLC
• Lease contract
• SES permission
• Fire Inspectorate Permit

To open a hookah bar, you no longer need any specific documents. There is no special permit for hookah activities. It is usually confused with excise taxes on tobacco. It must have excise stamps and be stored in original packaging with an inscription warning about the dangers of smoking.

Officially, a hookah bar does not exist as a separate type of business activity. What OKVED codes should I use to register it? Most often, entrepreneurs choose one or more of the following:

• 74.84 — Provision of other services
• 92.34.3 - Other entertainment and entertainment activities not included in other groups
• 92.72. Other recreational and entertainment activities not included in other groups

The more OKVED codes you indicate, the more accurately you can describe the scope of your activity so that inspections do not have questions and you do not have to re-register the business or add codes. If possible, find out from the entrepreneurs who manage hookah bars how else you can register a hookah bar, what codes they use.

Where can I open a hookah bar?




Most often, entrepreneurs are concerned about whether it is possible to open a hookah bar in a residential building or in a shopping center. There are no direct prohibitions.

How to open a hookah bar in a residential building? The main thing is sound insulation, a powerful hood opening onto the roof and a separate entrance. If neither the smell of smoke nor your guests disturb the residents, the hookah bar is not breaking the law.

As a rule, inspections of hookah bars in residential buildings are carried out after complaints from residents. Make sure that the residents of the house have nothing against the business, and also that you will not disturb them in any way.

A hookah bar in a shopping center must meet the same standards. But remember that you cannot advertise it on the territory of the center. It is only legal to indicate information about the location of the business in the information block through the radio center of the shopping center.

It is best to locate your business in commercial real estate. This way you will avoid tenant dissatisfaction and frequent inspections.

Is it possible to advertise a hookah bar?




The hookah lounge law of 2016 prohibits any advertising of tobacco products. Print, television and online advertising of hookah lounges violates the smoking ban law. Since you can legally open a hookah bar only in the format of a closed club, even a bright sign is excluded.

People who like to relax and smoke a hookah after a hard day at work are only increasing every year. If regular cigarettes cause irreparable harm to your health, then hookah can be absolutely harmless when prepared with juice or milk, without the use of tobacco.

Due to the great demand for the service, it makes sense to talk about opening a hookah bar as a business with minimal investment and quick payback.

In today's article we will discuss in detail how to open a hookah bar from scratch. How much does it cost and what documents are needed to legally operate an establishment of this type?

How to legally open a hookah bar?

It is worth noting that there are some difficulties in organizing this type of business. Due to the law banning smoking in public places, it is quite difficult to open a hookah bar in a food establishment. But as they say, you can always find loopholes in the law. You have two options for business development.

Opening a hookah bar in a cafe

If you want to be clean before the law, you must understand that the smoking ban directly affects public catering establishments. And smoking a hookah is a violation that will entail penalties. On the other hand, opening a hookah bar in a room where other services are not offered is not a profitable business. The only option is to offer your visitors hookahs without nicotine mixtures, for example, fruit, milk, wine and others. Thus, you do not break the law, customers are happy, and you make your profit.

Illegal sale of hookah

Many entrepreneurs take this risky step, because most visitors prefer to smoke hookahs containing tobacco. But it is worth remembering the strict sanctions that may befall you. If you're willing to take the risk, you can try to outsmart the checking services, but we wouldn't recommend you do this.

Business plan for a hookah bar

The question of how much it costs to open a hookah bar is quite difficult to answer. It all depends on many factors that significantly affect the amount of financial investments. On average, you will need from $5,000 to open a hookah bar.

Financial expenses:

• Collection of all necessary documents for business registration;
• Renting a premises – the price depends on the area, renovation of the premises, as well as its location;
• Indoor renovation. Depending on the condition, you will need to shell out a certain amount of money for repairs so that the room meets all norms and standards;
• Purchase of equipment and furniture for a hookah bar;
• Purchase of hookahs and smoking mixtures;
• Staff salaries;
• These are the most important and necessary costs, of course, there may be others, it all depends on the format of the establishment.

Business registration

In order to legally start your business, you need to register with the relevant authorities.

First of all, you should decide on the material and legal form of the activity. You can choose one of two options - registration as an individual entrepreneur or a legal entity (LLC).

In addition, you should obtain the necessary permits from the fire and sanitary services, a license to sell alcohol (in the case of selling alcoholic beverages in an establishment). In addition, do not forget that the sale of strong alcoholic beverages requires the registration of an LLC; take this nuance into account.

Hookah bar location

Naturally, location is important and significantly affects the attendance of an establishment. Therefore, take full responsibility when choosing and decorating a room for a hookah bar.

Deciding on the format of the establishment

• Hookah bar. If you have a solid start-up capital, I recommend that you stop at opening a bar. This establishment should be opened in a crowded part of the city, preferably in the center or business district. In addition to the main functions, such as selling food and drinks, you will be able to offer your customers an additional service - hookah smoking.
• Separate room with hookah in the restaurant. If the starting capital is small, then you can open a hookah bar by renting a place in a popular catering establishment. This is not easy to do, because it is quite difficult to find a suitable option, but as they say, no task is impossible.

Purchase of equipment

To provide this service, you should not only rent premises, but also purchase the necessary equipment.

Necessary equipment for a hookah bar:

1. Hookahs (from 10 pieces);
2. Smoking mixtures, charcoal, tobacco (if you offer a hookah with nicotine filler);
3. Replaceable cups, hoses and tubes;
4. Spare flasks;
5. Burner, tongs, foil, etc.

Buying equipment is not a very expensive part of a business plan. Therefore, you will not incur any special costs at this stage.

As for the interior and furniture, everything should be decorated with taste. The environment should be inviting and clients should feel comfortable in the room.

Video on the topic

Staff workers

To work in a bar, you will need to hire a staff whose responsibilities will include serving customers. In addition to cooks, waiters, and bartenders, it is also necessary to hire professional hookah workers. You should not trust inexperienced specialists to refill your hookah; it is important to find competent employees who understand the technology, the characteristics of different types of tobacco, its aromas and tastes. Believe me, clients are very demanding, because for many, hookah smoking is not just an action, but a whole procession in a special atmosphere.

The employees of your establishment should be attentive to each client, friendly, hospitable and not intrusive. If you want your establishment to be in demand among visitors, then be very responsible when choosing staff.

Schedule

An establishment of this format should operate both during the day and at night. Most clients prefer to visit hookah bars after work, that is, the main flow of clients will be in the evening, somewhere after 18.00. Therefore, it is worth organizing promotions in the first half of the day in order to attract more people and thereby stay in the black.

Working on weekends and holidays is the most profitable for bars and hookah bars, because there are many more clients, so an establishment of this type must be open at this time.

Advertising of the establishment

We have already discussed the main issue of how to open a hookah bar, now it’s worth talking about an equally important point - attracting customers.

When drawing up a business plan for a hookah bar, you must take into account the costs of advertising, without which it will be almost impossible to turn the establishment into a highly visited place.

• Advertising around the city. The most profitable and not too financially expensive option for attracting customers is to distribute advertising leaflets with the address of the establishment in crowded places in the city.
• Promotions and discounts. A very effective method of attracting people's attention. Agree, nothing pleases you more than the opportunity to receive an additional discount on a service or take part in another profitable promotion. Therefore, I recommend that you organize various promotions and provide discounts on services to your regular customers.
• Bright sign. A simple, but nevertheless very smart way to attract the attention of passing people. Therefore, do not neglect this type of advertising; a bright, glowing sign at night will certainly be appreciated by your customers.

Now you know how to open a hookah bar from scratch and how much it costs. I hope this article will help you navigate and not make mistakes when opening a hookah bar.

You can work endlessly as a hookah man in a cool bar, but somewhere in the depths of your soul a thought always creeps in: what if you open a hookah bar yourself? Using your experience and knowledge, you can do everything a hundred times better, take into account mistakes, attract your client base...

Everything looks simple, and now you are already collecting the last money to rent the premises, but what next? Are you ready to face the collection of documents, personnel selection, meetings with security services, master plans, and careless landlords?

There are many obstacles on the way to your own hookah bar, which we decided to talk about. People who have already walked this path, stories of success and failure: all the most important things to create a thriving business in a new series of articles.

What you need to open a hookah bar from scratch: how it all starts

Yes, desire alone is not enough 😉

And even an impressive starting capital is not a guarantee of success (although it will make your fate much easier). You will have to understand the laws, look for premises, perhaps come to an agreement with the “neighbors” and in general it is necessary to think through the concept to the smallest detail!

By the way, each region faces different problems. In large cities there is huge competition, plus there is the prospect of a very large income, so bars attract the attention of all kinds of services. Everyone will have to come to an agreement.

“Different regions have different attitudes towards our “penumbral” business. In some regions, inspections come every week and demand something that they themselves do not understand. They came to my friend and asked for a “license to run a hookah business” (!!!), but they couldn’t find out anything beyond a humorous answer.

Check for employment of personnel, firefighters, etc. These people should become, at a minimum, friends, and at maximum, frequent visitors.”Arseniy, hookah bar “Cosmo House”, Belgorod.

Naturally, a responsible owner will make sure that there is nothing to complain about, otherwise there is a risk of fines or even closure. But even if these issues are “solved,” guests are unlikely to appreciate the lack of proper sanitation, poor ventilation, and staff who speak little Russian.

Therefore, it is important to take care of all the points from the beginning. Yes, when creating your first hookah bar, it’s difficult to take everything into account; a lot will come with experience, and something will need to be completed or changed during operation. But a serious-minded person with an entrepreneurial spirit will not spend money on creating a frankly failed bar.

If you want to open a hookah bar according to the law, you will have to work out all the requirements: from registration (individual entrepreneur or legal entity) to official employment of personnel with the appropriate salary level and installation of high-quality ventilation (which will entail large costs).

And then you will have to develop the concept of the establishment, plan the design, assortment, and menu. Searching for premises, renting and repairing are generally worthy of a separate book. Well, the icing on the cake will be promotion and advertising campaigns so that people other than your friends will come to the opening :)

Where to open a hookah bar

One of the most difficult and important issues to be resolved. Firstly, you should decide on the location. In the central parts, rent will be more expensive, and there is likely to be more competition there. Having 5 similar competitors within walking distance is unlikely to be a plus.

Secondly, find out the potential target audience. If you see students as your guests, choose an area close to educational institutions. Sometimes the best place will be a residential area with a small selection of places to relax. People like to spend time close to home after work.

Third, To avoid problems, choose a place where there are no playgrounds, schools, or hospitals nearby. It is better if it is a separate building or an area in a non-residential building.

Huge plus: availability of parking, open area, terrace, panoramic windows (if the rented area is at a height), proximity to transport.

How much does it cost to open a hookah bar?

Budget planning is the most important step, since miscalculations and overestimation of one’s capabilities will inevitably lead to problems.

Key points to consider when drawing up an estimate:

• Rent price, and when drawing up the contract, payment is made for the first and last month, or the amount for the first month + deposit (returned after the expiration of the contract, provided that there is no need for repairs). In any case, this is double rent.
• Payment of personnel. You can't hire people without a guaranteed salary, so budget for the salary amount for all employees. If you manage your business correctly, in a few months you will be in good profit, and salaries for team members will be deducted from income.
• Services of a designer, repair team, building materials. If you hire a designer, he will help you calculate the price of services and materials. And when you do everything yourself, you will have to monitor prices manually: go to hardware stores, call offices.
• Purchase of equipment. It all depends on your capabilities and desires; if you want to diversify your kitchen, but now there is no money to buy stoves, start with a simple menu. You will have to purchase good hookahs and accessories, a coffee machine, dishes, teapots, and cutlery.
• First purchase of products. It will definitely be different from subsequent ones, because you don’t know the consumption yet, you don’t know what the flow of clientele will be, but you need to have enough of everything! Make sure there is enough tobacco, tea, drinks, clean water and snacks.

Calculate how much all this will cost and add another 20-30% of the amount received. This will be able to cover additional costs that are guaranteed to arise. For example, servicing cashless payment terminals, purchasing uniforms (sometimes this is done after several months of productive bar operation), etc.

In order to feel more or less confident, you need to have at least 800,000 rubles, provided that you have a small space, promotion and weak competition are enough. It is better to enter the business with an amount of at least a million.

No one advises taking out a loan to open a hookah bar; this is too risky a step and has a lot of live anti-advertising. Obligations to creditors often drive you into a deep hole and lead to bankruptcy. It’s better to calculate expenses, save up funds and do it on your own. As a last resort, borrow only part of the necessary funds (up to 30%).

It is not uncommon to attract investors; usually there are 2-3 co-founders, whose contributions are distributed for different needs.

What is a franchise and what advantages does it provide?

Naturally, using a name that has already been promoted can be very useful. On the other hand, along with simplified promotion conditions, you receive a package of obligations and relative restrictions in terms of design, menu, and assortment.

Such an establishment will never be completely yours. Therefore, you have to analyze the benefits of opening a franchise.

The name doesn't always matter. If the conventional bar “Shisha” is popular in Moscow, this does not mean that they have even heard of it somewhere in Taganrog. Also, a well-known cafe in Belarus is unlikely to immediately become popular in Russian cities.

Therefore, if the popularity of the “Brand” is not too great, it is not logical to rely on a well-promoted name; the geography of popularity plays a role.

But there are advantages that are much more profitable. For example, special terms of delivery from the supplier (discounts, wholesale, special taste only for your franchise, branded accessories, etc.), design proposals for design and any other goodies that are difficult to get without well-known colleagues and sponsors.

What documents are needed to officially establish a bar?

“I want to open a hookah bar, but can I do it legally?” This question often worries potential owners of smoky bars, and for good reason, since the legal framework for such businesses is weak and does not have clear boundaries/requirements.

Documentation is a very sensitive issue, since at this stage there is no clear regulation in the legislation of the procedure for maintaining hookah bars. Now the procedure is the same as for establishing a regular catering business, which is why the business is called “penumbral”.

They are registered in a variety of variations: individual entrepreneurs, LLCs, some act as private individuals, but you won’t be able to tell the difference until you try it yourself. The fact is that each type of entrepreneurship has its own benefits and responsibilities. For cafes in a small town and in big cities, different types of entrepreneurial activity will make sense.

Therefore, with the issue of proper registration, you should seek advice from a qualified lawyer.

Among other documents there will be plans for reconstruction, redevelopment, ventilation, and a fire safety plan in the end.

More about the legalization of the hookah business in our friend’s video brent-chef and co-owner of the hookah bar NO NAME BAR (Moscow/Khimki) Maxim Maksimych:

Since August 2017, a law banning hookahs and vapes has been actively discussed, which can significantly complicate the procedure. It is still at the draft stage and is unlikely to be accepted in its current form. Still, update your knowledge of the legal framework before you get ready to start a business in 2018.

Additional “papers” will be needed if you want to sell not only food and hookahs, but also alcohol. You will have to obtain a license to sell alcohol - this is expensive and quite difficult. In addition, there will be a new expense item for cleaning dishes, and maybe security. It depends on what kind of guests will come to you 😉

Details about opening a hookah bar from mouth Brand-chef and co-owner of the hookah bar NO NAME BAR (Moscow/Khimki) Maxim Maksimych in the video:

Main problems + bonus: real story of failure

If you have read up to this point, then you are already aware of many pitfalls. Ventilation, service checks, advertising, problems with “neighbors” if a hookah-bar opens in a residential building - this is not a complete list of obstacles.

“Advertising is not allowed due to the anti-tobacco law, difficulties may arise with neighbors in the rented premises, inspections by Rospotrebnadzor”Ksenia Mayorova, administrator of the hookah bar “el Sotano”, Kolomna.

It’s really difficult to predict everything, but by protecting yourself in all directions, unforeseen situations will not be able to shake your confidence.

1. If you know, how much money is needed, add a little more to this amount– a financial cushion will be an ideal help for solving emergency situations.
2. In advance test the waters among suppliers, compare prices, including delivery, discuss preferential terms for wholesale and find the most profitable options.
3. Make a competent business plan. And if you don’t know how to do this, or don’t want to make a mistake, get ready for additional expenses on the services of planning specialists.
4. Be responsible when choosing staff. It can be difficult for a young bar to attract top specialists, but even young employees with little experience can be different. Choose those who have the “fuse”, the general idea or their own vision of the work. A hookah man with his own client base will be a huge bonus.
5. Consider all advertising options that can be implemented within the framework of the anti-tobacco law.
6. Do not skimp on fire safety, high-quality ventilation and compliance with sanitary standards. The relevant services can close the bar in no time due to problems in these areas. In addition to closure, serious fines may be issued.

Now you know how to properly establish a hookah bar, and in order to avoid making other people’s mistakes, read the man’s story about the unsuccessful opening of an establishment: “

Until recently, it was considered an unprofitable business. But, with the adoption of the law banning smoking in public places, this thought is visited by an increasing number of entrepreneurs. The reason for this is the unfilledness of this niche in business circles and the growing profitability of this service. This primarily concerns the owners of cafes, restaurants, and clubs.

The majority of the smoking population, when visiting entertainment or recreational places, certainly use hookahs. Step-by-step instructions, a business plan, and all the nuances for opening a hookah bar from scratch are given below.

Distinctive aspects

The main advantage of the hookah business is its specificity. Not all establishment owners have included smoking an aromatic mixture on the menu. Many cafes and restaurants were smoke-free before the smoking ban was introduced. The same establishments where smoking was allowed discovered a new source of income, and a significant one at that.

Is it profitable to open a hookah bar from scratch?

A special feature of the hookah business, in addition to its popularity, is the payback in a short period of time. With the right simple business plan, spending a small amount of money, the business can pay off in just 3 months.

The suppliers of hookah bar equipment themselves can help a novice businessman. By agreement between the supplier and the owner of the establishment, the first prepares rooms for hookahs and receives 60% of the income for this, and the second sells it, taking the remaining 40% of the profit.

Despite the low cost of hookah accessories, the price for using such a service in all entertainment places is high, exceeding the cost by several times. Therefore, starting such a business is very profitable and timely. There is not much competition.

You can open an enterprise in a new premises, select employees, and purchase everything you need for smoking. It wouldn’t hurt to recreate a cozy homely atmosphere or an oriental theme. Then the investment will be serious, up to 200 thousand rubles. Because people will not only smoke, but also eat and drink alcohol.

If you set up a smoking room in already operating establishments, then a small amount, up to 50 thousand rubles, will be enough to purchase mixtures, tobacco, and coal. It is better to buy them directly from the East, it will be cheaper and the quality will be higher.

What does it take to open a hookah bar from scratch?

In addition to renting premises, hiring staff and other attributes, it is necessary to obtain permission to sell alcoholic beverages, if it is implied. You also need to register as an individual entrepreneur (Individual Entrepreneurship) or LLC (Limited Liability Company). After this, collect a package of documents. These include:

1. LLC or individual entrepreneur documentation.
2. Certificates for hookah smoking accessories.
3. License to sell alcohol.
4. Permits from the sanitary and epidemiological service and the fire service.

It should be noted! If you plan to sell strong drinks in a hookah bar, then you need to register it as an LLC.

According to current legislation, smoking is prohibited in public areas, so you should choose how the hookah bar will work:

• Using a mixture with tobacco, but without alcohol;
• With the sale of alcohol and tobacco-free hookahs.

You can open your own business with a very small amount. The premises do not have to be purchased or rented. Any restaurant or cafe with rooms for smokers is suitable. You will need to make a deal with the owner. It can be either on a paid basis, for a small fee, or free of charge. In the latter case, the owner allows you to occupy 1-2 tables to attract potential customers.

Hookahs can be taken for free, rented, or bought. You can contact suppliers and agree to take them for sale by providing samples for use. After promoting the business, you can offer the seller more favorable conditions for yourself.

When establishing a business relationship between you and the owner of the establishment, you don’t have to fill out any documents at first. You will simply pay additional interest to the owner for carrying your funds through his enterprise. The optimal fee is considered to be 10%. Later, register as an individual entrepreneur with UTII (Unified Tax on Imputed Income).

You will do the work yourself, so you will learn the business from the inside and you won’t have to pay money. In the future, when the turnover increases, it will be possible to hire a person. It is better to pay salaries as a percentage of sales, due to the small number of clients. Over time, it will be possible to pay the salary and interest.

Business plan

To open a hookah bar with an area of ​​40 m2 in an already operating restaurant you will need:

This is a calculation on the basis of which you can calculate the costs of a future establishment.

Selection of premises, decoration, equipment

A small hookah bar will not generate good income, since there will be few seats. It is advisable to start a business in a spacious room or on the basis of a running restaurant. After having a hearty meal, visitors will want to relax. Here you should offer a cup of coffee, tea or other drinks, or offer a hookah. A mandatory purchase for a hookah bar will be high-quality hoods and a well-thought-out ventilation system. A useful and popular addition would be a Wi-Fi zone. The establishment must have a working bathroom.

Many people associate smoking mixtures with the East, so it is advisable to design the interior in an Asian style. These are poufs, low sofas, lots of soft pillows and a riot of colors. The decor should be complemented with pleasant motifs and dim lighting.

In the expense item, other expenses are as follows:

Consumable materials for them will be foil, mouthpieces, burners, tongs, and cleaning brushes.

As for advertising, personnel were briefly described above. After promoting the place, inexperienced sellers should be replaced by a professional hookah man who understands the intricacies of hookah technology. The reputation of an establishment is primarily based on customer service. A competent hookah man who knows how to put people at ease will support the conversation and tell you which variety is better. The overall pleasant atmosphere will attract visitors.

Expected income and profitability

In addition to costs, the business plan calculates the expected income. The net income of a room of 40 m2 will be about 30 thousand rubles. With proper organization of advertising and creation of a cozy place to relax, the number of positive reviews will increase exponentially. Thus, the profitability of the hookah bar will increase.

This business idea is very profitable for beginning businessmen, owners of bars, cafes, restaurants, suppliers of hookah equipment and its components. This is due to the fact that in addition to quick payback, an important difference from other areas of trade is the ultra-high markup, up to 1000%.

Step-by-step instruction

1. Form an LLC;
2. Find a place;
3. Buy everything you need;
4. Equip the premises;
5. Hire staff;
6. Conduct an advertising campaign;
7. Collect income.

Hookah bars will conquer increasingly larger areas, since this market segment is not yet sufficiently developed. The distinctive features of this business are low costs, quick payback, and growing demand.