Photos of The Stuffed Pipe shop by Matt Weir / The Collegian

Tower Smoke

Location: 3135 N. Maroa

Atmosphere: White walls stretch out with a smattering of Bob Marley posters, while rows of elaborate glass water pipes stretch across two walls floor to ceiling. Hookah pipes and tobacco in a dizzying array of flavors take up the whole left-hand wall, as glass cases house blown glass hand pipes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Reggae music sets the mood.

Price Range: Described as the “Nikeâ€Â of water pipes, the Pure brand comes in varying shades of frosted glass and sell for about $200 to $350, while the monstrous Biohazards go for $329. Figurine hand pipes come in the shapes of cats, chihuahuas, frogs and elephants, and cost around $30 a piece. Vaporizers run $100 to $700, depending on the size. Pipes also take form as gas masks, bowling pins, corn cobs and lipstick tubes ($12.99).

Extras: Hideaway cans ($20-$39.99) come in the form of Rock Star and Red Bull energy drinks, salt and pepper shakers, canisters of Coffee-mate and Country Time Lemonade. Scales ($20-$90) take the shape of CDs, matchbooks and cassette tapes. Grinders ($10-$80) masquerade as crowned skulls and grenades. StarBuzz hookah tobacco comes in orange, blueberry and fruit salad flavors, to name just a few; $9.99 a can. Dr. Green̢۪s Agent X Unisex Synthetic Urine sells for $30. Also for sale: watches, rings, lighters, T-shirts, Swanky Dank boxer shorts and Swisher Sweets pipe tobacco.

Things to keep in mind: Soft glass pipes are environmentally friendly and made from recycled glass. Vaporizers burn out the impurities so you inhale vapor, not smoke. Synthetic urine had a shelf life of 2+ years. Current sales at Tower Smoke run from 10 to 50 percent off.

The Stuffed Pipe

Location: 2377 E. Shaw

Photos of The Stuffed Pipe shop by Matt Weir / The Collegian

Atmosphere: A vast array of water pipes line the left-hand wall to the ceiling, in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, while a lone gumball machine stands guard by the front entrance. Glass cases house all manner of blown glass hand pipes and cannabis literature, detox herbal cleansers and Tasty Puff tobacco flavoring (which comes in flavors such as Pimpy Fresh Peach, Chick Magnet Cherry and Toke-a-Cola). Incense lines the back wall beneath a neon green clock.

Price Range: Soft glass water pipes cost an average of $65, with plastic ones running about $25 to $35. Glass hand pipes sell for about $30, while the Roor pipes, the “Gucciâ€Â of water pipes, will set you back anywhere from $180 to $600.

Extras: Wild Berry brand fragrance oils. Book titles include “The Cannabis Breeders Bibleâ€Â and “Buds for Lessâ€Â; the aforementioned Tasty Puff tobacco flavoring; Black Flys shades; key chain pipes, shot glasses; rolling papers; magnets; posters; even a Cannabis Coloring Book.

Things to keep in mind: Domestic glass is healthier to use than imported, which may contain loose glass dust that wreaks havoc on the lungs. Hookah tobacco contains only 0.5 percent nicotine. Rolling papers come in rice, hemp, flavored and clear, which are made of cellulose sugar and have a sweet taste. The Stuffed Pipe has been in business since 1969.

Phat Manz Alley

Location: 1140 N. Van Ness

Atmosphere: Brick walled entrance painted graffiti-style with psychedelic art: an alien in a blue suit smokes from a giant sea-colored water pipe amid floating dice, bubbles and mushrooms. Brick walls are lined floor-to-ceiling with water pipes of every make and model, glass hand pipes come in the shape of cuddly animals and a blow-up doll straddles a water jug in one corner.

Price Range: Tasty Puff tobacco flavoring goes for $3.50 a bottle. Hideaway cans (used to store the goods) are about $14. A flashlight keychain pipe is $8. Wild Berry brand fragrance oils cost $6 a bottle.

Extras: Scales disguised as CDs, ashtrays, iPod cases and cigarette packs; the aforementioned hideaway cans, masquerading as cans of Nestea and Campbell’s Soup. Book titles include “Marijuana Cookingâ€Â and “The Big Book of Budsâ€Â; there’s the “Ultimate Growâ€Â DVD set; Juicy Jay’s flavored rolling papers; Wild Berry brand incense; and little baggies emblazoned with Hershey’s kisses.

Things to keep in mind: Hideaway cans are heavy, but do not shake; they do not really contain liquid. Phat Manz Alley accepts SPCA donations, both monetary and edible.