This month’s tobacco fusion comes from Smiley’s Ultimate Hookah Lounge located in Arizona:
519 North 4th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719

Roger and Sarah Smiley opened Smiley’s Ultimate Hookah Lounge about three years ago. Roger is a formally trained Chef, and has a background in both hospitality and entertainment and his wife Sarah has a professional background in retail. Roger was first introduced to hookahs at the age of 11 by his adopted Persian grandfather. 31 years later he still has a personal passion for them! However, it wasn’t until he suffered a personal tragedy as a student at the University of Arizona that he decided to incorporate smoking into his professional life.

Deficient in funds, but ample in ambition Roger supported his first business by dumpster diving to salvage glass ash trays and cork to implement his invention, the “Thumper.” The “Thumper,” was the first ash tray that would protect pipes from breaking when they were thumped in order to clear the bowl. After building a strong customer base across the United States, he finally had seed money for what would become Smiley’s Ultimate Hookah Lounge!

 “I just wanted the lounge to be a comfortable place that would appeal to everyone. We wanted to be a full fledged hookah lounge, offering comprehensive product lines for the hookah lifestyle, and after achieving success, to give back to the community,” said Roger Smiley.

Decorated in an eclectic sense, Smiley’s doesn’t have one particular theme. With bright red walls, vivid colored cushions everywhere, tapestries including depictions from Buddhist to Celtic designs, a large 4 ft. Buddha (that regulars leave donations for), Arabic bibles, and various other interesting pieces Smiley was able to accomplish his all-encompassing ambiance. After three successful years, Smiley’s is proud to support to student and local organizations to the tune of $32,000 per year. With regard to attracting a hodge-podge of patrons, it is not uncommon to see anyone from city officials to college students enjoying a bowl at Smiley’s! By way of product line, Smiley’s carries its own house tobacco entitled, “Sexy,” as well as Layalina, Fusion, Fumari, and Pharos. Shortly after opening, his customers were soliciting a hookah that would taste great and provide a nice buzz. After discussing it with a close older Egyptian friend he came up with “Smiley’s Revenge.” This house hookah spawned a whole line of specialties entitled “Ass Kickers.” Since the introduction of the new line, there have been 51 “Ass Kickers” proudly inducted into the Smiley Hall of Fame.

How does an Ass Kicker become a Hall of Famer one might wonder? Well the process is pretty straightforward: Once its inventor (normally a staff member) sells a kilo of the Ass Kicker combination, the mix will have earned a spot in Smiley’s Ass Kicker Hall of Fame. The mix is commemorated with a nicely framed unique design, and then place on the wall in its own special spot next to the other Hall of Famers.


For a hookah recipe that will knock you on your Ass, try “Smiley’s Revenge!”

Smiley’s Revenge Recipe:

1/3 Nakhla Mint
1/3 Nakhla Strawberry
1/3 Nakhla Double Apple

After adding the tobacco, add anywhere from a pinch to a teaspoon of teaspoon finely ground coffee. Smiley uses his own brand of coffee called Smiley’s Big Black Dog Coffee Beans. If you’d like to purchase this coffee and don’t live in Arizona, you can do so by visiting www.smileysultimatehookah.com, however, if you are a coffee drinker we recommend your regular brand as an alternative (as the grinds do add a slight coffee taste). The coffee grinds are also going to provide a caffeine rush. Depending upon your reaction to caffeine ( ie: if 1 cup of coffee gives you the jitters) you may prefer a pinch over a tea spoon, or vice versa.

Next fill the base with ice water and serve. For extra fun, add two shots of coffee to the ice water. For a fruitier taste, try adding two shots of Kern’s Strawberry Mango Juice to the ice water in the base.

This hookah pairs perfectly with an ice cold swig of Jones’ Strawberry – Lime Soda!