Customers puff away at Ranchi?s first hookah bar ?Sheesha?. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, June 7: The interiors are strictly Arabian, done up sophisticatedly in shades of brown that remind of the desert. Add to that the lilting strains of Arabian music, aromatic candles and endless puffs of flavoured hookahs in a cool lounge, and what you have is the newest hangout zone ? the city?s first hookah bar.

Situated at Hotel Yuvraj Palace, ?Sheesha? sure has got the city hooked to the hookah.

?The hookah is the most happening thing in the metros. Both the hookah and the tobacco used are imported and are not harmful,? said director of the hotel, Sanjay Chopra.

The ?herb-based? tobacco, he added, was imported from Iran and Egypt. ?It had no artificial content. Even the charcoal used in these special hookahs are imported and are smokeless,? he insisted.

Hookahs were available for Rs 150 an hour. From sleek glass-bottomed ones with brass and nickel plates to the double-barrelled ones that can be used by two people, variety is one of the main things on the menu.

One can be spoilt for choice even when it comes to picking the flavour of the tobacco, as Sheesha offers 20 flavours, including mint, orange, cappucino, rose, cherry, peach, apple and grapes.

Everything in the bar has been designed to provide a relaxing ambience.

Roshan Anurag, a senior bank employee and a frequent visitor to Sheesha, felt the whole set-up was almost magical.

?Your tension just evaporates with the smoke,? he adds with a smile as the smoke rings grew thicker at the bar.