'The Social' Makes It All About People

"The Social," a new hookah lounge in Chatsworth located between the The Candy Cat and the Cowboy Palace on Devonshire Street, opened its doors a week ago to a younger more laid back crowd.

Owner Nick Scarmozzimo pictures his new business as an adult Starbucks where people can come in, plug in, smoke some hookah and study or relax with friends.

Hookah is a single or multi-stemmed device for smoking in which the smoke is cooled by water

"It's good for a young crowd, not tapped out by the economy," said Scarmozzimo. "It's an untapped area, there's no hookah bars in Chatsworth."

Kevin McLeod and Ashley Smith, who enjoy smoking mint hookah, come for the people and good conversation.

"It's a good place to hang out," said Smith.  "It's not to loud, so you can hear the person next to you."

Although having only been open for a short time, The Social is already gathering loyal followers, perhaps in part, due to Scarmozzimo's other hookah lounges.

This is Scarmozzimo's third hookah bar and the second his friend Anthony Palileo has helped him open.

"This place combines the knowledge from the Hookah Lounge in Northridge, and the one in Chico," said Palileo.

Scarmozzimo, originally a computer programmer, found he would rather work for himself and now owns three hookah bars, a printing company and a defunct medical marijuana company.

"I dabble in everything," said Scarmozzimo.  "Anything I thought would make me money."

Palileo, manger of The Social, first met Scarmozzimo as a customer and after the two grew to be friends he helped open the second lounge in Chico. 

"I drove the six hours to Chico," said Palileo.

Scarmozzimo's The Social is different from most Middle Eastern themed hookah bars.

The Social is a large open area filled with leather couches and boasting four big screen TVs.  They have two feeds which enable them to show multiple games simultaneously along with offering free WiFi.

Scarmozzimo and Palileo hope that the free WiFi and big screen TV's will help draw in students who often need a place to study away from campus.

After the sports games are over the owner turns on music, which helps bring in a younger more relaxed crowd.

Hip-hop exhibitions are planned for the first Sundays of every month entitled "Smoke Screens," featuring DJ's and break-dancers. 

Scarmozzimo is also looking to bring in Jazz musicians and hold poetry readings as well as invite local bands to come and play.

"We're trying to keep it as diverse as possible," said Scarmozzimo.  "We have high hopes for this place."

They are currently attempting to get a liquor license and also partner with the bar next door to bring in food.

The Social, 21629 Devonshire Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311, 818-812-9390