Green Street Cafe offers unique nightlife experience

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Looking for a new place on campus to hang out, grab a bite to eat or smoke a hookah?

Well, look no further than the brand-new Green Street Cafe.

The bar - which opened last Thursday, Jan. 20th - is located at 35 E. Green St. and is open every day from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.

It specializes in top-grade hookah tobacco, but also offers a variety of food and beverage options.

Amit Chobra, the owner of the bar, graduated from the University in 2001. He said he moved to Los Angeles shortly after graduation and opened a hookah bar there, which became a very successful and renowned establishment in the city.

He said he wanted to open a similar bar in Champaign because he felt a connection to his former college town.

"This school was good to me, and so I wanted to give back," he said.

Rakesh Handa, the floor manager at the Green Street Cafe, takes care of most of the operations at the bar. Handa said the Green Street Cafe offers a nice alternative for students looking for a new place to hang out.

Chobra agreed, adding that the bar has a very unique atmosphere.

"If students are looking for a laid-back, sophisticated place to just hang out with friends, this is it," he said.

Customers can choose from a variety of flavored tobaccos, ranging from Royal Raspberry (Handa's personal favorite) to Strawberry Daiquiri. There's even one that smells just like buttered popcorn.

In addition to the different tobaccos, the Green Street Cafe boasts a full bar and has an extensive food menu.

Larry Pigman, kitchen manager for the cafe, said he is in charge of preparing the hookahs as well as the food.

Pigman said his favorite part of working at the Green Street Cafe is the laid-back atmosphere.

"I like working with the people, and it's just a very easy-going, fun place to work," he said.

Chicken sandwiches and hummus are just a couple of the food options the bar has to offer.

Chobra encouraged those who have never smoked a hookah to try it.

Every night from 6-10 is Happy Hour Hookah. During this time, all hookahs are half-price and customers can play pool for free.

Chobra also said that the bar will be offering opening-month drink specials until the end of February.

Chobra said what sets the Green Street Cafe apart from other places can be summed up in one word: quality.

"Our products are of the highest quality," he said. "We use only the best tobacco, which is shipped directly from manufacturers overseas. Our products are 100 percent authentic, with no chemicals or preservatives."