The North Bay has finally latched on to the hookah lounge craze, though at a rather unlikely spot. Flipper’s Gourmet Burgers in Petaluma rents hookah pipes at their West side location (54 E Washington St., 773-3200) on Saturday nights for around $12.
If you’re new to the scene, hookahs are a Middle Eastern water pipe smoked communally. A bowl (stop snickering) is filled with tobacco and lit by hot coals by servers while those indulging take turns inhaling. Long an amusement at Middle Eastern restaurants, the hookah scene is spreading to hipster bars in cities like New York, LA and San Francisco.
Flippers offers an a la carte menu of flavored tobaccos — like mojito, orange and mint.
How do they get around the smoking ban? The restaurant was required to get special permits for the pipes (used on the outside porch).
Hey I think your post is great!I found it on Google. Keep up the good work.
The Westside Flippers is still alive and well.. Eastside location dark and gone..little late on the hookah.
Awesome, its about time the North Bay finally has a place that us college students can go to that serves Hookah.
I’m half Iranian and had the best time in LA over the summer with my persian cousins, hitting up a few hookah bars in the valley.
I was disappointed that there werent any hookah lounges up here, and that hookah is illegal in SSU dorms – if this is still going on, which I’ll be checking this Saturday, I think I might have found a Saturday night haunt for me and my buddies.
As a Soldier, I thank you for your thoughts to my Bretheren and Sisters. The days I can actually get back to SoCo only happen every few years or so, and indeed I sorely miss the SoCo I grew up in, and am disappointed in what it’s becaome over the years.
Wehn I come back, I am more than certain someone will insure I get a fat ration for smoking a cigar as I wander through downtown taking in the sights of a place I no longer know.
Maybe there will be a fight, maybe not. Personally, I would rather sit and enjoy a cold one, buy a Warrior one, and enjoy the company of those who relish what we fight for.
The best way to get revenge on those who tread on rights? Live Well.
Live Well my Friends!
Nice image which it self reveals the information about hookah pipes
Heather, great job keep it up. u haters need to take a hit off the old pipe and relax..this is a food/restaurant section..she is reporting on something new in THIS area that is already WORKING in other areas such as Sac,LA,CO,NY, OR(most likely not tobacco being hit)..
OMEGA THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SACRIFICES AND telling the way a lot of people want it told. I wish I could by u a drink or cigar. I will tip my hat to you when I buy that drink for a soldier in uniform at the next bar I go to..
Those that cannot stand the idea of smoke, u can visit the other Flippers in the G&G LOT north of pet..
omg i cant believe the petty back and fourth bull going on here this is my first time and probably my last time to read up on the reviews you people really must get a life the whole point is that the owner should be abel to have smoking or hookah or what ever, it is their business and if you don’t like it don’t go there it’s as simple as that, that’s the chance the owners take. period get over it and move on.
Amen, live and let live!
You are missing the point Susannah. It’s not about the health issue of a big fat cheeseburger, or a pleasantly smoking hookah. It’s about those people who deem it neccasary to think they can legislate or tread on the freedom’s we love. Peaceful coexistance cannot be without leaving others alone to enjoy the things we like. The fact is, if you do not like the environement, you can go somewhere else where you DO like it. I am more than certain that there are many great cheeseburgers to be had in SoCo, however, it does not give anyone the right to demand a business owner stop something for them.
If a business owner wants to offer burgers and hookahs, then if someone doesn’t like smoke, they should go somewhere else, not actively try to complain or cry about what is happening in that business. It’s part of freedom to go somewhere that is more fitting to your lifestyle, not invade someone elses because you think it is unhealthy. It just doesn’t matter what your values happen to be, no one has the right to make someone else do or not do something because they do not like it. If it was my business, I would kick out anyone complaining about the smoke, adn insure they were not welcome. That is the right of a business. All the bs legislation to make everything safer for everyone has caused so much loss of revenue in the state that no one sees it except the business owners. We all have the right to do what we like, where we like, and how we like, but if there are differences that are disagreeable then someone has the right to go elsewhere to where they feel welcome.
Bottom line is this: If you don’t like it, leave. You have that right. You do not need to enter the premises if you find it offensive, or unhealthy.
A lot of anger here. Sounds a little mis-placed…worries about tocacco and health, but no one seems to comment on the fact that burgers and cheese aren’t that great for you either. Everyone is fighting, for apparently no reason. everyone is killing themselves and others more with the anger than any smoke, burger, car exhaust, perfume, or anything else. Can we find a space for others? Can we find a space for ourselves? Can we open to greater peace?
Anti Smokers, Anti guns, Anti Biker, Anti FREEDOM. The lot of you hypocritical assclowns can kiss my blooded rosy ass for fighting for the FREEDOM you all spit on, then take for granted, then whine like little bitches when someone takes a little away.
Hookah’s, Cigars, Cigarettes, Pipe, whatever. It’s all the same. It’s not about your dining experience, nor is it about your health. If you don’t want to smell it, go somewhere else an let those of us be who LIKE THAT STUFF.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a Soldier. I will always be Marine deep down to my very soul which was Born Again Hard.
There is NOTHING more relaxing than enjoying a fine meal, followed by a glass or two of Bourbon, and a fine cigar. I also enjoy a nice Camel or Lucky Strike now an again, but the HOOKAH! I’ll hit that motherfucker right! SO what if it kills me slowly. If the dangerous shit I do doesn’t faster who really cares.
Get your freakin sorry arm chair fighting asses of the chair and take a hard look around and see what’s happening to the big picture. Safety Nazi’s, Anti Freedom types are still trying to take the things we love an fight for.
It is my right to sit in the state, and county(SoCo) of my BIRTHRIGHT, SMOKE A FAT CIGAR, AND LET THE REST OF YOU KISS MY ROSY ASS.
When you can look any one of our hard ass Warriors in the eye, say you been there and can still damage the rest of our freedom’s, I hope he or she plants one straight into your face, and drops you on the floor like the piece of shit you are.
Think I’ll go sit down and enjoy a nice pour of Elmer T. Lee and a nice Gurkha Maduro Shaggy while you anti freedom types continue to see what else you want to take. Oh, by the way, I bleed and cry to earn my money along with a lot of other stuff, so if you think it’s my wealth you want to redistribute, as the man said, Come Take It, or Molon Lave!
Wow, you guys are sure harsh. I don’t want to smell smoke while I’m dining, just like I don’t want to smell your aftershave or perfume. I want to smell the food, the wine, etc.
I was a long-time smoker & still miss it sometimes, but I don’t think it belongs in a place where people eat, whether it’s indoors, outdoors, scented or not.
Um, i’ve written like six things since this one. Hello….? You’re the same person that nipped at me before markanthony…
Can we go back to Food Reporting now Heather?
Or do we have to sit through more “Hookah” reviews?
If so, maybe Flipper’s can host a Hooker’s do Hookah” night!
I WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT OUR COUNTY’S FINE RESTAURANTS rather than fad health hazzards . . . . .
Does not seem very healthy to SHARE a pipe.
Meningitis, Swine Flu, Hepatitis….??????
Killjoy.
Heather says: Sitting around eating hamburgers and sucking on a hookah with your friends is a bad thing since when?
Since this:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hookah/AN01265
Uh, there are restaurants that serve the mary jane? Now that’s would be a story.
I guess I’m a little stunned by the hostility (per usual). Sitting around eating hamburgers and sucking on a hookah with your friends is a bad thing since when?
I’m not saying that some of this stuff isn’t a bit gimmicky for my taste, personally, but I’m always glad to see a restaurant take a risk and try something to attract a new audience.
In these horrid financial times, we need to support each other.
It never ceases to amaze me just how negative the people who follow the “bite club” are. Take it easy guys, is life really that rough? Here is a restaurant taking a chance, to maybe better their chances of survival in this nightmare of an economy…only to be trashed for their creativity. I have spent the past 15 years in the restaurant industry and understand the trails and chances you take to stay open and get your audience just a little bigger. If you have a problem, then don’t go. Whatever happened to supporting your businesses. If you don’t smoke hookah then don’t go on saturdays? Or eat inside. Or somewhere else. Jesus!
Wow! I’m excited! All of you haters are talking about something you have no understanding of. Hookah smoke smells pleasant. The tobacco doesn’t actually burn, it releases smoke from the hot charcoal above it. Even nonsmokers enjoy smoking hookahs, unlike cigarettes. I would drive all the way from Healdsburg to smoke hookah at an outdoor cafe, with my meal or after.
Very sad Heather that you have sunk so to once again write about something that has absolutely nothing to do with food in the “biteclub eats” column. WHY?
Who gives a crap about a publicly shared water pipe at a restaurant (except mabe the Sonoma County Health Department!) and furthermore what avenue are you taking that this may add to one’s dining experience?
Is the food so flavorless here that it needs a mojito, orange, or mint tobacco boost to be palatable? LOL!
Come on, I lused to look forward to reading your column for good food (& sometimes beverage) reviews.
If I want a “Hookah Report” I’ll go to the Peacepipe!
What’s next, are you now going to start featuring some medically approved marijuana-laced tasty foods that are served in restaurants for those with medical cards?
Get back to your roots Heather, as you do food so very well, and try to stick to what “biteclub eats” is ok?
Maybe you could start another column and title it EDD, as “Exotic & Eccentric Dining in Sonoma County”
Thank you!
Do some people only see what they want to in a article? do they not read the whole thing? it says its legally allowed to serve flavored tobacco “OUTSIDE ON SATURDAY NIGHT”, I dont think airpollution has anything to do with it you sitting nex to a smoker for an hour and a half isnt going to give you cancer, I have athsma and still smoking a pack a day doesnt bother it.so open your eyes a little more cause if the smokers on saturday night is really going to bother you on “friday” when you go out with your invisible boyfriend then you have issues.
That IS so sad Nancy.
Obviously, the restruant thought about people such as yourself before introducing this new idea.
People such as yourself must have a really difficult time breathing any air at all considering air pollution in general.
I hope you get well soon.
Cheers
I don’t see any problem with a business that goes through all the legality hoops to try something new that is LEGAL to bring in new clientele just as the Ice Vodka Lounge has done.. Either it will be a success or simple fade away..Good Luck Flippers and way to go to try something new and unique to California and America..
That’s too bad. I loved sitting on the deck at Flippers (and at Rosen’s before). Looks like I won’t be able to do that now. No matter if smoking is outdoors, the smoke still bothers others. I will be sure to avoid Flippers now.