No Hookahs?

By Erin in News on Nov 7, 2005 4:35PM

Today the Trib features an interesting piece on how the proposed smoking ban could impact the success of the city's hookah bars, restaurants and cafes. While we knew mainstream bars and restaurants would be impacted, we're slapping our foreheads for forgetting the hookahs.

According to the folks interviewed by the Trib, the smoking ban will have a serious impact on those restaurants and bars using the hookah as their niche. Hookahs are filled with flavored tobaccos, smoked after dinner has been served. It's a custom with its roots in the Middle East and North Africa, and despite the connotation, the smoking from a hookah has less to do with getting high and more to do with cultural tradition.

Here in Chicago, the 20-some restaurants that offer hookahs will be impacted by the ban. Though the ban doesn't include hookah lounges, it does, however, include hookahs. Despite Chicagoist's previous love affair with smoking, we never once hunkered down with the hookah, and it's entirely possible that with the ban, we never will. This is a shame, really, because those we know who have smoked hookahs say it created a more authentic experience while dining out. Also because it was really fucking cool to say they smoked from a hookah.

No matter.

Chicagoist is hoping the City Coucil will look to add an exception for the hookahs. We just think that they are an entire beast altogether and would mourn them being looped into the ban.