By Kevin Gomez
The Scene staff
Hookah tobacco smoking has spread across the United States, including St. Louis.
It’s a Middle Eastern cultural tradition with roots that go back more than 500 years. Now it’s all the rave among young people.
“It’s all about having fun and socializing,” said Amir Sadri, 22, a medical engineering student at St. Louis Community College at Meramec.
Amir Sadri recently opened Puzzles Hookah Lounge on the east end of the Delmar Loop with his brother, Danial, and a close friend, Sina Karimi.
“People come to relax, smoke and feel the buzz,” Sadri said.
Hookah, also known as “narghile,” “shisha” and “goza,” is tobacco moistened with flavored syrup or molasses. It is produced all over the world.
The “buzz” is a light-headed feeling, similar to what comes with cigarette smoking, only stronger.
“Back home (in Iran), smoking hookah is very common,” Karimi said. “We share this activity with friends and family.”
Hookah is smoked in an Arabian-style water pipe known by the same name. It’s a type of “bong” with detachable metal, clay and plastic components.
The tobacco is placed in a bowl, covered with foil and topped with a piece of coal that is lit. Smoke is filtered through water at the hookah’s base and inhaled through a small mouthpiece connected to a hose.
Hookah tobacco comes in flavors ranging from fruity and sweet to tangy and minty.
“Our customers love a special mix called Mary Jane and Dirty Blonde,” Sadri said “It is a mixture of white guava, melon, pineapple and banana.”
Sadri’s entrepreneurial vision started two years ago, when he got a job at the former Ranoush Nights Hookah Lounge. He gained enough experience to open his own place.
“Customers would always complain while I was working at Ranoush because we constantly ran out of tobacco,” he said. “… With the help of my business partners, we raised enough money to buy the business.”
After several stressful months of filing city permits and organizing finances, Ranoush was reborn as Puzzles.
“I am glad (it) opened,” said Rekan Ibrahim, a regular customer. “The price is right, and the music is epic.”
The lounge appeals mostly to young city residents. It resembles a nightclub, dimly lit with colorful party lights and small round tables.
A D.J. plays hip-hop, electronic, dubstep and pop music. Prices range from $12 to $20 for a smoking session.
“Puzzles is a great place,” Sadri said. “We have more than 200 flavors (of tobacco) and several D.J.’s playing music every single night.”
Puzzles Houkah Lounge is at 6165 Delmar Blvd. in University City. For more information, visit www.puzzleshookah.com or the Facebook page or call (314) 799-9934.