OPENING
TIMES Mon - Thu 11.30am - 12am Fri & Sat 11.30am -
2am Sun 4pm - 12am
The hookah pipe has been used
for centuries throughout the Middle East for smoking specially
prepared fruit flavoured molasses.
Historical sources
suggest that the hookah pipe may have originated from India
and was made out of a coconut shell although others suggest it
originated in Turkey over 500 years ago!
What is clear
is that thereafter its popularity spread to Persia and the
rest of the Arab world where this deep rooted practice is
centuries old.
Smoked as traditional accompaniment to
friendly gatherings in tearooms, coffeehouses and cafes,
friends would congregate for hours smoking, chatting and
sipping mint tea. Smoking the hookah pipe helped ease away the
day's stress, while relaxing with family or
friends.
Today, “hookah” is the English name given to
this ornately decorated and carefully crafted water pipe but
it is also referred to by other names. The Egyptians refer it
as “shisha”, the Lebanese call it “nargila” and others refer
to it as “hubbly bubbly”.
At Markaz we want you to
enjoy this age old tradition in the ambience of our dedicated
Shisha Lounge. Enjoy this simple yet pleasant means of
relaxation after dinner or whilst taking time out to catch up
with friends.
The hollow glass base is filled with water
and attached to a vertical pipe topped with a clay bowl that
contains fruit flavoured molasses and a foil sheet upon which
the coal burns.
The ornate embroidered hose pipe is
attached to the shaft and when one inhales on the hose, the
smoke is drawn down the pipe and through the water, which
cools and filters it producing a calming bubbling
sound.
A small charcoal tablet is used to gently heat
the flavour-infused tobacco blend ensuring it never burns. The
resulting vapour on exhaling is incredibly smooth, sweet and
aromatic.
