Shisha (Shisha BSE), the party pad on the fifth floor of 22 Camac Street, has ceased operations. The hot spot, which opened in 2002, was a landmark institution in Kolkata’s nightlife.
The soaring rental costs in Camac Street, a sought-after commercial area, may have played a significant role in the nightclub’s closure after two decades, sources said. In addition, the boom of dining and drinking establishments in the city has led to market saturation.
“The current state of affairs is not suitable,” a spokesperson of the nightclub said. However, the management expressed optimism about keeping the brand alive and expressed intentions of reopening at a new location. “But we are in no rush,” added the spokesperson.
According to an industry insider familiar with the Park Street scene, “The party and dining out crowd has exploded. It's no longer residents of New Alipore and Ballygunge who have spending power; today there are people from all corners of the city stepping out. Yet, while the crowd have experienced significant growth, it hasn’t been matched proportionally by the number of establishments that emerged post-pandemic.”
In central Kolkata, the lounge-and-party corridor has expanded beyond its traditional boundaries, to neighbouring areas like Ho Chi Minh Sarani and Chowringhee (near the Exide crossing). Additionally, Celica Park, a prime property strategically positioned with access from both Camac Street and Park Street, houses a number of bar-led brands.
The original Shisha in the early 2000s
Shisha has seen many avatars since its establishment. In the early 2000s, it became synonymous with the growing popularity of hookah culture in Kolkata and quickly emerged as the go-to party destination. In 2009, it relaunched as Shisha Reincarnated and moved to a sprawling 10,000sq-ft space on the sixth floor with private dining booths and an open-air deck. When Kolkata’s party hours were curbed in 2012, it moved back to its original spot. In 2015, it was rebranded as Shisha BSE or Bar Stock Exchange, offering a real-time trade experience in spirits, and live music. It remained a destination for partygoers and live music lovers until its recent closure.
“Shisha has been successful in continuously evolving to meet the needs of people of all ages, from ’90s kids to Gen-Z. Its closing is like the end of an era. I really hope they reopen soon,” said Kritika Gupta, a Shisha BSE regular.
"The early Shisha was a vibe. The party scene in those days in Kolkata was like nothing before. There would be queues to enter the club and getting entry wasn't only about how padded your wallet was. Over the years, many new places have popped up in the city but Shisha will always be special to those who partied in the 2000s," said Mukesh Mall, 39.
Shisha’s closure marks a notable transition in Kolkata’s nightlife landscape, leaving behind a void that loyal patrons hope will be filled in the near future.
The bigger question is: will the oversaturation of the Kolkata drink-dine-dance market lead to more places bowing out?
