HOOKAH LOUNGE

[davanz]

Even at 77 years old, I admit to not being very knowledgeable about a lot of things "out there" in the world. And this is one of them. Recently a brother in my congregation came by for a visit an told me of a nice weekend getaway he and his wife had recently. They had spent the weekend at a large city about 100 miles away, and he said that one of the things they really enjoyed was going out one night to a Hookah Lounge. Not being familiar with the term, I later looked online to find out what the term referred to. 

 

Without further comment, I am asking if anyone here is familiar with the subject, and if it would be a fitting practice for a true Christian.

[Qapla]

It seems there are several hookah lounges/bars in the area where I live. I have to confess, I also don't know much about them.SO, I did a Google search and found this:

"A hookah lounge in the U.S. is a social venue, like a café or bar, where people gather to smoke flavored tobacco (shisha) from water pipes (hookahs) in a relaxed, often themed environment with comfy seating, music, and sometimes food/drinks, offering a communal, chill experience focused on sharing flavored smoke. These lounges serve various shisha flavors, with smoke passing through water for cooling, and provide a cultural and trendy social space, especially popular near universities."

 

Since we have one of the nation's major universities here, it doesn't surprise me there are several in the area.

 

Doesn't sound to me like something I would do - however, I don't know if smoking from the hookah is a required activity although, it does seem to me that the air in the place would be heavy with the vapors.

Edited Thursday at 06:44 PM by Qapla

[Ludwika]

Hookah pipes were, and in some places still are, originally used for smoking opium. Sometimes tobacco was mixed with opium.

The connotations associated with that would keep me away. Even if I had no intention of participating, what would it look like to others?

[Hope]

Smoking is not a healthy or Christian activity. I'd have a quiet word with anyone I knew of who attended such an establishment...

[Dustparticle]

1 hour ago, Hope said:

Smoking is not a healthy or Christian activity. I'd have a quiet word with anyone I knew of who attended such an establishment...

2 Corinthians 7:1. Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

[Canyon_1985]

Smoking is not a Christian activity, even if I was not a Witness I would never have done it. You should ask your friend if he did anything or if he just sat listening to music while inhaleing the bad air. 

[carlos]

Where I live there are some hookah lounges where people just go to smoke on a water pipe, but in most cases they are teahouses which also offer Arab-style tea, coffee and even Lebanese food, in addition to a water pipe after lunch.

 

I would not assume the brother went to one of those places to smoke shisha from a water pipe. He just had a mint tea and some baklavas and enjoyed the oriental music and decoration at a time when there were very few customers. He may not even know what a hookah lounge is outside the one he has visited.

[Dages]

10 hours ago, davanz said:

Even at 77 years old, I admit to not being very knowledgeable about a lot of things "out there" in the world. And this is one of them. Recently a brother in my congregation came by for a visit an told me of a nice weekend getaway he and his wife had recently. They had spent the weekend at a large city about 100 miles away, and he said that one of the things they really enjoyed was going out one night to a Hookah Lounge. Not being familiar with the term, I later looked online to find out what the term referred to. 

 

Without further comment, I am asking if anyone here is familiar with the subject, and if it would be a fitting practice for a true Christian.

Switch on the light and air conditionning in the second room  

 

4 hours ago, carlos said:

Where I live there are some hookah lounges where people just go to smoke on a water pipe, but in most cases they are teahouses which also offer Arab-style tea, coffee and even Lebanese food, in addition to a water pipe after lunch.

 

I would not assume the brother went to one of those places to smoke shisha from a water pipe. He just had a mint tea and some baklavas and enjoyed the oriental music and decoration at a time when there were very few customers. He may not even know what a hookah lounge is outside the one he has visited.

hopefully that's it

[Shawnster]

On 12/18/2025 at 7:20 PM, carlos said:

Where I live there are some hookah lounges where people just go to smoke on a water pipe, but in most cases they are teahouses which also offer Arab-style tea, coffee and even Lebanese food, in addition to a water pipe after lunch.

 

I would not assume the brother went to one of those places to smoke shisha from a water pipe. He just had a mint tea and some baklavas and enjoyed the oriental music and decoration at a time when there were very few customers. He may not even know what a hookah lounge is outside the one he has visited.

 

Even if this is the case, does frequenting such an establishment give the impression the brother condones or abhores smoking? Is potentially stumbling someone worth eating a tasty pastry unavailable elsewhere? Is potential exposure to second-hand smoke worth the temporary enjoyment of the treat? Would the congregation view a Christian who frequents such an establishment as exemplary? 

[Dhanyel]

Although a hookah lounge in the United States is seen as a modern social spot, similar to a café, its main focus is smoking and spending time in an environment filled with constant smoke. And that already shows why it’s not an appropriate place for us as Christians. Even those who don’t smoke end up inhaling the flavored smoke, which is harmful just the same.

In addition, the atmosphere in these places — loud music, people smoking together, and an environment that encourages unhealthy habits — doesn’t match the clean and healthy life we strive for in order to honor Jehovah.

If we want to maintain a pure heart and a lifestyle that strengthens our spirituality, going into a place like that would only expose us to unnecessary, uncomfortable, and even risky situations. It just doesn’t align with the principles we live by or with the kind of influence we want to have and receive.