There s usually a single hose extending several feet, and occasionally even several hoses from the same pipe for group smoking. Well, with the right company, you never know. Hookah tobacco is whole leaf, and wet. This is because it s marinated in fruit or rose oil. At any rate, an irrefutable virtue of wet tobacco is that it burns for hours, which lends itself to extended conversational banter.
Hot coals are the answer.
With metal tongs, hookah bar attendants bring coin-shaped hot coals once every 20 to 30 minutes and place them directly on the tobacco. They also offer you tea or coffee. Most designated hookah bars don t serve alcohol, though you can occasionally find restaurants that serve both wine and smoke for dessert. It s refreshing, much cooler than cigarette smoke, and supposedly healthier. You can actually see the water in the bottom of the pipe turn brown with all the goodies that it filters out before it reaches your lungs.