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Mission Street hookah lounge making changes to traditional atmosphere

By on November 2, 2009 5:00 am in Featured, Metro / 21 comments

 
Mission Street hookah lounge making changes to traditional atmosphere
White Lake sophomore Jessica York and West Bloomfield sophomore Even Lyons smoke hookah at S.I.X. Lounge while listening to the live music. Both said this location is much bigger and more organized than the original S.I.X. in Novi. (Nathan Kostegian/Staff Photographer)
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A new hookah lounge on Mission Street made a few changes from the traditional scene.

Northville sophomore Danny MacKinnon, employee at S.I.X. Hookah Lounge, 1901 S. Mission St., said the business is trying different things.

“We have a hookah 18-and-up shop, live music, live performances, open mic night and it’s a place to relax,” he said.

Hookah is a water pipe used to smoke flavored tobacco and is picking up in popularity.

Chesterfield freshman and employee James Mahone said the atmosphere of a hookah lounge is very important to them.

New Boston junior Maria Leone performs original and cover songs at S.I.X. Lounge Friday night. The hookah lounge is the second S.I.X. Lounge location. (Nathan Kostegian/Staff Photographer)

New Boston junior Maria Leone performs original and cover songs at S.I.X. Lounge Friday night. The hookah lounge is the second S.I.X. Lounge location. (Nathan Kostegian/Staff Photographer)

“It’s somewhere people can chill with friends, watch TV, play games and smoke hookah,” Mahone said. “They can try new flavors and enjoy the atmosphere.”

Employee and Farmington Hills sophomore Chris Plotzke enjoyed going to hookah lounges in the past, which helped him choose to work at S.I.X. Lounge.

“I went to Novi’s S.I.X. Lounge all the time. So far, it’s been a good place to chill and relax,” Plotzke said.

 

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  • Eric

    I don’t get the big deal. There’s been a Hookah lounge in Mount Pleasant for awhile, at The Malt Shop, right on/by campus/main street at The Malt Shop…

  • Eric

    Although the live music aspect is nice.

  • Justine

    I went to the SIX hookah lounge a few nights ago, its actually an awesome place to hangout. It’s way better than the malt shop, it’s more of college party vibe and they have a live dee jay there playing until 3am every night. I would call it a hookah night club more than a lounge. and they’re super cheap too! they’re half the price of the malt shop and wayy better.

  • Matt

    Their hookahs are amazing, and definitely cheaper than anywhere else. It makes the mal shop seem like a kids place

  • http://hobohookah.com Mike

    I think the hookah lounge industry is really starting to mature, as shown by the diversification and differentiation currently happening.

    Most college students no longer double-take at hookahs getting served, so it is cool to see owners trying out different themes and offerings.

  • YLE

    Good work!

  • JasonHundey

    Well congrats CMU students for letting one of the best cultural landmarks in Mt. Pleasant’s history slip away four years ago with the closing of New Moon Records at 1901- and letting it turn into a polished turd of trend for sensitive frat guys and wannabe hippies to hone their false skills. You guys had one of the best record stores in the entire midwest and you let it slip away. Shame on all of you.

  • MarkCoughlin

    I agree with Jason above, New Moon Records was a cultural diamond in the bland homogenized rough that Mount Pleasant was/is becoming. People came from all over the Midwest to participate in something special, and NM employees went on to teach collegiate music and arts classes, create and run successful music magazines, record labels, write for major publications, play in internationally recognized bands, and so forth. Being there was an informal yet important education that has lasted a lifetime. But hey, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.

  • Jason Z.

    I would like to start out with saying that the Malt Shop has the best PIZZA in the entire Midwest… not to mention the Smoothies, Malts, Shakes, Ice Cream, and Middle Eastern food also they have been in business since before there was a New Moon Records… Now I have had the so called Star Buzz tobacco and it is the worst I ever had…
    I would also like to add that the Malt Shop uses the best tobacco “Al Fakaher” this is what the whole world knows to be the best!!! As for the prices… Well you get what you pay for!
    I also think the DJ in a hookah lounge is annoying if you want a DJ environment go to the Way Side.

  • Dan

    I believe that the Malt Shop is one of the most well run college life businesses in Mt. Pleasant. Offering free wi fi and great pizza as well as many other amazing foods, along with a relaxing hookah lounge that allows me to relax and continue my studies here at central. The staff at the malt shop are always helpful and quick, very encouraging and friendly.
    I have been inside the new sixx hookah lounge and i was not impressed. the atmosphere and environment were dull and not exciting for any college run business.

    If I had to choose between Malt Shop and Sixx, the malt shop is the place to be if you want a great experience and meet new and exciting friends everyday.

  • Sarah

    I began boycotting the Malt Shot 3 years ago because of how rude the owners were to me. When I did go there, the pizza was old, the smoothies were generic and the service was horrendous. If you want the “best” pizza in the Midwest, go to the Cabin.
    I’ve been to the SIXX and I enjoy the atmosphere (on open mic nights). I haven’t checked it out when the DJ has been running the show, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. The SIXX and the Wayside cannot be compared.
    The SIXX is not “dull” by any means. The vibe is very chill and eclectic. It’s a nice addition to college-town Mount Pleasant.

  • Cody

    The six is far better than the malt shop. They have a different theme of parties every friday with a dj so you can request your favorite music. Something the malt shop doesn’t have. They have the best tobacco you can buy, better than malt shops. The prices are half then the malt shop and way better service the employees are always friendly. There always happy to assit you with your needs. Come may 1st they’ll be the only shop in town that you can smoke in since the malt shop had to close. Also the atmosphere is great with comfy couches, big tvs, and just great people so come to the six and check it out. You will see the difference over the malt shop.

  • sameer

    Well it seems to me as if the MALT SHOP employees, or owner have gotten on here to rant! They must be on their toes since 6 lounge opened. I have been smoking hookah for 10 years now, and I have been to both hookah lounges many times. I know my hookah very well, and I have to say the 6 lounge has far better hookahs than the malt shop. The Malt shop does not use “AL FALKHER” tobacco, they use DUBAI tobacco which is the cheapest shisha you can buy, and they also charge more than any hookah lounge i’ve ever been to. I know SIX uses Starbuzz, Al Falkher, Nahkla , and 360′ tobacco. The worker told me they have over 100 flavors.. I know all the AL FALKHER flavors, and if you look at the malt shop menu it doesn’t show any of them. I would say SIX LOUNGe is a blessing to Mount pleasant. We’ve been needing a place like this, and I’m sorry Malt Shop, but you’re rude, old, and over priced.. I wouldn’t call yourself the best food and hookah and all that, if i’ve never seen a customer in there. I think the malt shop would have better profit turning back into a childrens arcade, because thats what their hookah lounge looks like.

  • Alex

    Please the six lounge is not even a lounge its a dirty hole in the wall that has a DJ playing music so loud -its not a bar LOL! You get what you pay for I guess. I go to the malt shop because its a real lounge that has great music and you can actually have a conversation too. Way more classy! There is no comparison if you want to talk. I love the great food and the people at the Malt Shop and they have the best quality and that goes for the food and the Hookah Room. I have smoked hookah for over 5 years now and I know when the stuff is good and that is why I smoke the best at the Hookah Room inside the Malt Shop. As far as the owners they are family run business and I respect that 100% they are geniune people that put their heart into the food and their service. Its right on campus and its where I go almost 4 times a week and will not go anywhere else.

  • Cindy

    I live in Livonia and I love the Hookah Room inside the malt shop is the funnest lounge I have been to. I love the owners they always hook me up when I go there…:) Going there tonight!!!

    Double hose Sex on the beach yayyyy!!!

  • Alex

    Please the six lounge is not even a lounge its a dirty hole in the wall that has a DJ playing music so loud -its not a bar LOL! You get what you pay for I guess. I go to the hookah room because its a real lounge that has great music and you can actually have a conversation too. Way more classy! There is no comparison if you want to talk. I love the great food and the people at the Malt Shop and they have the best quality and that goes for the food and the Hookah Room tobacco. I have smoked hookah for over 5 years now and I know when the stuff is good and that is why I smoke the best at the Hookah Room inside the Malt Shop. As far as the owners they are family run business and I respect that 100% they are geniune people that put their heart into the food and their service. Its right on campus and its where I go almost 4 times a week!

  • John

    Its funny to me how people like Sameer sit here and talk about the Hookah room when its obvious your Six Lounge trying to make them look bad. You must not know much about tobacco and food the way you talk. And if youve been smoking hookah for 10 years you must be a OLD college student thats been going to school forever that doesnt know anything about quality. But go ahead and enjoy your cheap hookah and cheap tobacco. You talk A LOT of nonsense because the Hookah Room uses the BEST tobacco. But whatever makes you feel better and enjoy the circus you talk so highly about and the your DJ!

  • Ashley

    I have to say that some of the things I am reading toward the Malt Shop owners has upset me very much. First of all they have nothing to do with the Hookah Room and they have been there for over 30 years and for someone to sit here and talk about them is not right!!!! They are not worried about any other business because nobody can compare AT ALL!!! There is nothing in this town or even state that compares to the food and atmosphere they have. They have a beautiful place and the best food. The lounge is a relaxing and cozy place I enjoy with my friends and I have never had a bad experience! I will never forget the fun times I have had there over the years. Without the Malt Shop and the Hookah Room Central would not be the same! :) ASK ANYONE!!!

  • Trevor

    I have met both the owners from the malt shop, and the new six lounge. After reading this blog it seems to me as if the Malt shop workers / owners are trying to do everything they can to attack the six lounge. In my eyes at least, you’re only hurting your business more, its obvious all the posts are from the malt shop cafe’, because i’ve walked past the malt shop every day on my way to class, and i’ve never seen anyone in their. The malt shop has been going down for over a year now, and no students can afford their prices. They do have great food, but in a college town they can’t expect anyone to afford their prices. The hookah room inside the malt shop is definitely very relaxing and quiet, but that is because i’ve never seen anyone there in over a year. The six lounge is not at all a dirty place, its more of a college-concept rather than a quiet cafe. The workers there were very polite and pretty funny. If you malt shop employees want to continue to bring your customer relations down, than keep up the good work at talking yourselves up. You obviously do not know how to handle friendly competition.

  • Chet Jorgensen

    As of May 1, 2010, neither the Malt Shop or SIX lounge allow smoking inside them because of the new smoking law.

  • business owner

    This is an absolutely ridiculous post. Please know the facts before speaking to general public.