Regal Hookah started in 2009 in San Diego, California, with a simple idea: build a hookah that smokes as good as it looks, made by hand, from real hardwood, without cutting corners. We weren't chasing trends — we were building for people who actually sit down and smoke, session after session.
Why chess?
From the very first designs, we named our hookahs after chess pieces. It wasn't a marketing gimmick — it fit. Chess is about strategy, patience, and precision, the same qualities that go into hand-finishing a piece of walnut or cherry into a working hookah stem. The King, the Queen, the Bishop, the Prince — each name was chosen to match the personality of the piece it represents.
From three models to a full lineup
We launched with three designs and three wood options — Prince, Queen, and King. Over the years the lineup grew: Mini Queen for smaller sessions and travel, Bishop for a taller, more elegant profile, and Joker for customers who wanted something louder and more experimental — bold epoxy swirls and hand-burned finishes that break from the rest of the collection on purpose.
Wholesale first, retail second
For most of our history, Regal Hookah operated as a wholesale manufacturer and distributor — supplying hookah shops and lounges rather than selling directly to smokers. This retail storefront is the newer part of the business. The hand-finishing, the wood sourcing, the relationships with brands like Tangiers — all of that predates the website by years. We're just now opening that side of the business up directly to customers.
What hasn't changed
Every Regal Hookah is still made by hand in the USA from premium hardwoods — walnut, cherry, maple — each piece selected for its grain and strength, which means no two hookahs are ever exactly alike. Wood is sealed and treated against water and cracking, paired with anodized aluminum components for a build that's meant to be used, not just displayed. That part of the business hasn't changed since 2009, and it's not going to.
Browse the full Regal Hookah lineup, or read our guide to every model in the collection.