Following a large sting operation, the Health Department began proceedings today to revoke permits of 13 hookah bars operating in Manhattan and Queens. City health inspectors used NYU student ringers to obtain shisha samples from 13 hookah bars on Friday, November 14th of last year. Once analyzed, all the samples were found to contain tobacco, a no-no under the city's 2002 Smoke-Free Air Act, which prohibits smoking in bars and restaurants.
The DOH will file papers in court today to begin the permit revocation process. If the courts approve the Department's motions, Health Department permits to these establishments will be revoked and the bars forced to close. It's not confirmed whether these places will be allowed to reapply for new permits if they want to.
It's interesting that the city has suddenly chosen to crack down on these establishments for smoking, as many of them have puffed away seemingly untouched since the Smoke-Free Air Act was established. From this former 18-year-old NYU kid's perspective, it's far more likely they'd be sanctioned for underage drinking—not that I was ever involved in that, Mom! The city will be looking to shut down the following establishments; smoke 'em while you got 'em.
- Parlay Café, 1780 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan
- 9A NYC Kitchen and Lounge, 2331 West 12th Avenue, Manhattan
- Luxor Lounge, 118 MacDougal Street, Manhattan
- Le Souk Harem, 510 LaGuardia Place, Manhattan
- Falucka, 162 Bleecker Street, Manhattan
- Cozy Café, 43 East 1st Street, Manhattan
- Sahara East, 184 1st Avenue, Manhattan
- Cloister Café, 238 East 9th Street, Manhattan
- Kazuza, 107 Avenue A, Manhattan
- Fayrooz Hookah Lounge and Bar, 28-08 Steinway Street, Queens
- Melody Lounge, 25-95 Steinway Street, Queens
- Layla Hookah Lounge, 181-34 Union Turnpike, Queens
- Cloud 9, 179-22 Union Turnpike, Queens
