CINCINNATI, OHIO — The City of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Board of Health have filed a lawsuit against a Clifton hookah bar, which we’ve covered multiple times, following neighbors’ complaints about late-night parties, illegal alcohol sales, and potential violence linked to the business.
The lawsuit doesn’t directly address the neighbors’ complaints. Instead, it alleges that the Bohemian Hookah Cafe repeatedly sold tobacco to someone under 21 and consistently violated the Ohio Smoke-Free Workplace Act by permitting indoor smoking without an exemption from the Ohio Department of Health.
We spoke with Ludlow Wines owner Mike Anagnostou, located directly across the street from the bar, after reviewing a copy of the lawsuit.
He said the timing was uncanny, as the Clifton Business Association had been preparing to file a nuisance lawsuit before we reached out.
“We were meeting with an attorney today for that very reason, and then I was contacted by you and told about the lawsuit,” Anagnostou said. “So, the timing of it was really astounding to me.”
Their plans to file a lawsuit are on hold as the city’s case moves forward.
“We’re leaving that option open,” he said.
A city spokesperson explained that the penalties from the lawsuit are extensive.
“If the defendant does not comply, the court can hold the defendant in contempt, which can include issuing a fine, ordering the premises closed and padlocked, or putting the defendant in jail,” the spokesperson said.
Earlier this week, we reported on a new resolution by the Board of Health allowing for additional litigation against hookah bars across the city.
We visited Bohemian Hookah Cafe on Wednesday afternoon and spoke with a worker assembling a hookah, who said he wasn’t the right person to discuss the lawsuit. We left a copy of the lawsuit with someone who took our contact information, promising that the owner could respond.
We did not hear back from them.
Clifton resident and city council candidate Aaron Weiner said he welcomed the lawsuit but emphasized the need for proposals from some current council members to impose additional hookah bar regulations.
One of the main solutions proposed has been setting limits on how late hookah bars can stay open.
“I’ve said this before, I will say it again, nothing good happens after three in the morning, right? I don’t care where you are,” Weiner said.
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