Hookah Bar License in India by FSSAI

13 Jan, 2021

The Hookah bar license from the recent few years has made a great place in the market. The increasing demand for this business has encouraged especially the youth to make an investment in this business. People are considering them as a place to relax in the laidback environment, hear some music. It is not a kind of typical sports bar and club scenes.

Nowadays, it has become a popular culture in India, as well as a revenue-generating source of Income. Youngsters basically are most hooked to a hookah bar license and are always prepared for trying different flavours and variety.

While deciding for commencing this business, the investor has to open a restaurant, because the hookah bar license can be served as an item only, cannot be opened separately.

Things to be taken care before Opening a Hookah Bar

Hookah bar requires Shisha set-ups and coal refills on the top of drinks and food orders, therefore, it’s mandatory to hire attentive, knowledgeable staff and well trained in hookah expertise.
The purpose of people for arriving there is to make them relax, therefore, it is important to make the lounge’s settings accordingly
For opening a hookah bar the applicant or his partner must have a talent for choosing the flavours. They must offer a wide range of tobacco options for offering fruits to mints to floral
For weekdays and less busy hours, plan some good happy hour opportunity i.e. provide some discounts on drinks or on some specific

Protocols need to be taken care of becoming Eligible for License

The majority of your space must be given to the restaurant in comparison to the shisha lounge.
Cctv’s are able to store footage for up to 3 months;
Food license should be one year old;
No educational institution, hospital, school or place of worship should be in the area of particularly 5oo meters;
It cannot be served to persons below the age of 18;
NOC has to be taken from the neighbours of that place;

READ Legal Requirements for Starting a Food Business in India

License Required for Incorporating Hookah Bar

The seeker has to comply with the following licenses in order to start there Hookah Bar:

Business Registration: It is one of the most important and first steps for establishing its business. It should be set up under an artificial legal entity like Sole Proprietorship firm, Private Limited Company, Partnership Firm, Limited Liability Partnership.
Trade License: It is mandatory to obtain Trade License for opening a Hookah Bar from the Municipal Corporation or Health department of the concerned state
Shop and Establishment License: In order to protect the working condition and rights of the employees, it is mandatory to obtain a License from the State Chief Inspector the Department of labour.
Fire Safety License: It is mandatory to obtain a Fire permit^[1] from the fire department permit if your business involves any kind of flammable material or if premises are open for public visit.
Music License: For playing music it is mandatory to obtain a license from Phonographic Performance Limited or Indian Performing Right Society.
FSSAI License: As per law it is mandatory for every food business to get registered or take a license from the FSSAI department. Whether to take registration or License it will depend upon the type of food you are going to serve with Hookah Bar License.
GST Registration: After the implementation of GST, it is mandatory for every business carrying out a taxable supply of goods or services and whose turnover exceeds the threshold limit to register under GST and obtain GST number.
Staff License and Labor Registration: It is mandatory to obtain Labor registration and license for the staff depending upon the number and category of Staff.
Pollution Certificate: It is mandatory for every establishment before commencing its activity to obtain No Objection Certificate from the State Pollution Control Board
License from Police Commissioner: For operating this business it is mandatory to obtain Trade License from Police Commissioner. The police commissioner may give it at their own discretion after the fulfilment of the certain prescribed condition.