Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Health Department Trying To Shut Down NYC Hookah Bars
By
Nell Casey
Published Jan 7, 2015
Modified Jan 7, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published Jan 7, 2015
Modified Jan 7, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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
Tagged
crackdown
hookah
hookah bars
shisha
tobacco
original
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Sep 12, 2026
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
Food
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
Is it worth the high price and ridiculous wait? Gothamist needed to find out.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Can a congressional candidate's dumpling diplomacy win over Queens’ immigrant communities?
By
Caroline Shin
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .