2008 Woodie Awards
Pair's plans for Allston hookah bar progress
Heather Johnson
Issue date: 2/9/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Many of Boston's young residents who frequent area bars and clubs to get beers are now flocking to different types of establishments-places where they can smoke hookahs.
The hookah, an Eastern water pipe which holds a mixture of natural flavors and tobacco, can currently be smoked at few facilities throughout the city, most of which are outdoors.
Now, two John Hopkins University graduates are hoping to bring an indoor smoking bar to Allston.
Brendan Bencharit and his business partner Alex Lewis are planning to open the Nile Lounge in August 2006, Bencharit wrote in an e-mail interview.
Although a state law banned smoking inside bars in 2004, the law stipulates that an establishment can obtain a license to be considered a smoking bar if a majority of its revenue comes from the sale of tobacco.
According to Bencharit, he and Lewis were eager to jump at the opportunity when they heard there was a lack of hookah bars in the city.
"We will be marketing to college students and young professionals ages 18 to 24," Becharit wrote. "We want to provide a hip, mysterious and cool place for this market to hang out."
Many students interviewed said they find the smoking method appealing.
"I've been smoking hookahs for almost five years," said Callan Koenig a sophomore BFA acting major, "I really like the taste and the fact that you can smoke them indoors."
For Koenig, the hookah is particularly alluring because she thinks it is healthier than cigarette smoking.
"Cigarettes are harmful to everyone," Koenig said. "But hookah smoke is different."
According to the American Cancer Society's Web site, some people think hookah smoking is a "safe alternative" to cigarette smoking because there is a lower percent of tobacco used to smoke from hookahs.
"This claim for safety is not true," the site read. "The water does not filter out many of the toxins, and hookah smoke contains varying amounts of nicotine, carbon monoxide and other hazardous substances. Several types of cancer, as well as other health effects, have been linked to hookah smoking."
Ashish Negi, who manages the Tantric Bar and Grill where there is an outdoor smoking lounge, said there has been a recent hike in hookah clientele.
"The hookah is definitely becoming more popular," said Negi. "People see the pipes on the patio and want to know what it's all about."
Jeff Sterrenberg, a freshman film major, said he thinks the popularity of the pipes and the concentration of young people in Allston, will make for booming business at the Nile Lounge.
"It's going to be really popular because there's a lot of college age kids that live in that area," Sterrenberg said. "I'm definitely going to check it out. It sounds awesome."
Amanda Pinto contributed to this report.
The hookah, an Eastern water pipe which holds a mixture of natural flavors and tobacco, can currently be smoked at few facilities throughout the city, most of which are outdoors.
Now, two John Hopkins University graduates are hoping to bring an indoor smoking bar to Allston.
Brendan Bencharit and his business partner Alex Lewis are planning to open the Nile Lounge in August 2006, Bencharit wrote in an e-mail interview.
Although a state law banned smoking inside bars in 2004, the law stipulates that an establishment can obtain a license to be considered a smoking bar if a majority of its revenue comes from the sale of tobacco.
According to Bencharit, he and Lewis were eager to jump at the opportunity when they heard there was a lack of hookah bars in the city.
"We will be marketing to college students and young professionals ages 18 to 24," Becharit wrote. "We want to provide a hip, mysterious and cool place for this market to hang out."
Many students interviewed said they find the smoking method appealing.
"I've been smoking hookahs for almost five years," said Callan Koenig a sophomore BFA acting major, "I really like the taste and the fact that you can smoke them indoors."
For Koenig, the hookah is particularly alluring because she thinks it is healthier than cigarette smoking.
"Cigarettes are harmful to everyone," Koenig said. "But hookah smoke is different."
According to the American Cancer Society's Web site, some people think hookah smoking is a "safe alternative" to cigarette smoking because there is a lower percent of tobacco used to smoke from hookahs.
"This claim for safety is not true," the site read. "The water does not filter out many of the toxins, and hookah smoke contains varying amounts of nicotine, carbon monoxide and other hazardous substances. Several types of cancer, as well as other health effects, have been linked to hookah smoking."
Ashish Negi, who manages the Tantric Bar and Grill where there is an outdoor smoking lounge, said there has been a recent hike in hookah clientele.
"The hookah is definitely becoming more popular," said Negi. "People see the pipes on the patio and want to know what it's all about."
Jeff Sterrenberg, a freshman film major, said he thinks the popularity of the pipes and the concentration of young people in Allston, will make for booming business at the Nile Lounge.
"It's going to be really popular because there's a lot of college age kids that live in that area," Sterrenberg said. "I'm definitely going to check it out. It sounds awesome."
Amanda Pinto contributed to this report.
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