Photo contributed | Hookah Bal, formerly Kan Zaman Lounge, has rebranded under new ownership, looking to attract both old and new guests to its longtime location at the corner of Blackstone and Sierra avenues.

Fresno’s late-night crowd has a new place to unwind.

The former Kan Zaman Hookah Lounge on North Blackstone Avenue has reopened under a new name and ownership — Hookah Bal — marking a fresh chapter for one of the city’s longtime, late-night hangouts.

The rebrand comes with a modernized atmosphere that owner Prince Raj hopes will make the lounge a go-to spot to unwind and enjoy a social experience.

Located at the corner of Blackstone and Sierra avenues, Hookah Bal is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., reflecting the extended hours that Raj hopes will expand patronage at the lounge.

“We welcome regulars and first-time patrons alike,” Raj said. “We’re transforming our lounge with relaxed music, a welcoming vibe, and later hours so people can unwind after dinner, an event, or a night out.”

Raj purchased the business from longtime operator David Basha, who continues to operate the neighboring Kan Zaman Grill. While the grill and lounge were once connected under a single brand, they now operate independently; despite that, Raj said that Basha’s assistance during the transition has been instrumental in getting the business rebrand off the ground.

“I didn’t know I was going to be able to own it, so it was kind of amazing,” he said. “I just wanted to love what I do for a career, so it was easy.”

The next-door neighboring Mediterranean restaurant will continue to focus on food, while the lounge is being reimagined into a more contemporary space for socializing, catering to patrons old and young alike.

Raj, who recently moved to Fresno from the Bay Area, said his lifelong interest in hookah made the decision to buy the business an easy one. After discovering the listing online, he met with Basha in early October; within a month, the sale was complete and Hookah Bal began its transformation.

“Taking the business over has been pretty easy,” Raj said. “He’s been helpful.”

Since reopening, Raj has begun to upgrade the lounge with new furniture and seasonal-themed decorations, aiming to attract a younger crowd to the long-time hangout. He has also begun experimenting with flavor options and fruit bowl hookahs that add a fresh touch to the more traditional experience.

“I would say I would deliver more good service to modern people, to the younger people, because I’m younger myself,” he said. “More selections of flavors and more into using fruit bowls [to] kind of enhance the flavors.”

While the Proposition 31 ban on flavored tobacco products passed in November 2022, hookah products are exempted by state law under certain conditions — licensed establishments that restrict entry to those under 21 are allowed to sell flavored tobacco products.

Raj said he hopes to make Hookah Bal part of Fresno’s growing late-night culture. The lounge, which does not serve alcoholic beverages, is perfect for a quiet unwind after a night out, Raj said.

“Our goal is to make this lounge a part of Fresno’s cultural fabric,” he said. “Whether you’re into hookah, vaping, smoking or just looking for a chill spot to connect with friends, we invite you to experience a comfortable, social place where you can share moments experiencing something new together.”