Everything you need to know to host an amazing hookah session — from picking the right shisha flavors and packing the bowl to setting the mood and managing the coals.
Hookah Night Done Right
There's something about a hookah session that brings people together. The slow ritual of packing the bowl, the hiss of the coals, passing the hose around a circle of friends — it's a social experience that no vape or cigarette can replicate.
Here's how to host a hookah night that your friends will want to repeat.
What You Need
The Essentials
A hookah — Any size works, but a medium hookah (18-24 inches) is the sweet spot for home use. Tall enough for good smoke cooling, small enough to fit on a table.
Shisha tobacco — 2-3 flavors so guests have options. Buy 50-100g containers if you're trying new flavors, 250g if you know what you like.
Natural coconut charcoal — Absolutely essential. Quick-light coals are convenient but add a chemical taste. Coconut coals (Cocourth, Titanium) burn clean and last longer.
A coal burner — Electric coil burner for lighting coconut coals. A single-coil portable burner costs $10-15 and is a game changer.
Foil or a heat management device — Heavy-duty foil works fine. An HMD (like a Kaloud Lotus) is a worthwhile upgrade for better heat control.
Tongs — For handling hot coals. Hookah tongs or long metal tongs work.
Nice to Have
Extra hoses — A 2-hose hookah or hose adapters so people aren't waiting
Mouth tips — Individual plastic tips for hygiene when sharing
Wind cover — If you're outside, a wind cover prevents uneven coal burning
A tray or mat — For coal ash. Your table will thank you.
Picking the Right Shisha
Crowd Pleasers (Start Here)
These flavors are universally liked and make great defaults:
Mint — Refreshing and pairs well with everything. You can mix mint with any other flavor to add coolness.
Watermelon Mint — Sweet, light, and the most popular flavor combination in hookah.
Blueberry Mint — Rich berry sweetness with a cool finish.
Double Apple — The classic. Anise-forward with a traditional hookah taste. Not for everyone, but the people who love it really love it.
Our Brand Recommendations
Al Fakher — The worldwide standard. Consistent, affordable, and available in dozens of flavors. Their Grape with Mint and Watermelon Mint are all-time classics.
Starbuzz — Premium flavors with thick smoke. Blue Mist and Pirates Cave are crowd favorites.
Fumari — Blonde leaf shisha with sweeter, candy-like flavors and lower nicotine. White Gummy Bear and Ambrosia are addictive.
Packing the Bowl
This is the single most important step for a good session.
The Fluffy Pack (Best for Most Shisha)
Break up the shisha with your fingers or a fork — no clumps
Sprinkle it loosely into the bowl, slightly above the rim
Don't press it down — air needs to flow through the tobacco
The shisha should be just below the foil or HMD — not touching it
If using foil, stretch it tight and poke small holes in a circular pattern
Common Mistakes
Packing too tight — Restricted airflow means weak, harsh smoke
Overpacking — Shisha touching the foil burns and tastes terrible
Underpacking — Not enough shisha means thin, flavorless smoke
Uneven holes in foil — Results in uneven heating and hot spots
Heat Management
Heat is everything. Too much and the shisha burns. Too little and you get thin, flavorless smoke.
Coal Placement
Start with 2-3 coals on the outer edge of the foil or HMD
Never put coals in the center — that's where the shisha is thickest and burns easiest
Rotate coals every 10-15 minutes — Move them to fresh spots on the foil
Remove a coal if it's too harsh — Better to have thinner smoke than burnt smoke
How to Know You Got It Right
Thick, flavorful clouds on each pull
No harshness or burnt taste
Session lasts 45-90 minutes
Shisha is golden-brown when you're done, not black
Setting the Mood
Hookah is an experience, not just a nicotine delivery system. Set the vibe.
Seating — Low, comfortable seating in a circle. Floor cushions, patio furniture, or a living room setup where everyone can reach the hose
Lighting — Dim. Candles, string lights, or lamps. Not overhead fluorescents.
Music — Low volume background music. Whatever your group vibes with
Drinks — Tea (especially mint tea) is the traditional pairing. Coffee, juice, and water all work great
Snacks — Light finger food. Fruit, hummus, pita, nuts. Nothing heavy — you want to taste the shisha
Etiquette Tips
Don't blow smoke in someone's face — Exhale upward or away from the group
Don't hog the hose — Take 2-3 pulls and pass it. Hookah is about sharing
Don't touch the coals with your fingers — It happens more than you'd think. Use tongs
Do replace coals when needed — If the smoke gets thin, fresh coals revive the session
After the Session
Dump coals into a metal container or sink with water — never into a trash can
Disassemble the hookah and rinse the base, stem, and hose adapter with warm water
Let everything dry before reassembling
Store leftover shisha in an airtight container
A clean hookah tastes dramatically better than a dirty one. Even a quick rinse after each session makes a difference.
Get Everything You Need in One Trip
At Cigar and Smoke Shop, we carry hookahs, shisha from all the top brands, natural coals, heat management devices, and every accessory you need. Our staff can help you pick the right setup for your space and budget — whether it's your first hookah or your fifth.
