“Of course I’m going to sue”
This was aptly put as San Francisco’s new unofficial motto in this article from yesterday about the fact that the city is working to shut down hookah lounges. The source of said quote was Khaled Hegazy, the owner of Cairo Nights.
For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, this spot is on Geary, between Hyde & Larkin, and while it is a hookah lounge, it is also a general mess for the neighborhood (ask the residents at the Castle Apartments above). And, in the midst of NIMBYism was going berserk about Little Bird outdoor seating petition, Cairo Nights was and has been amassing large, uncontrolled crowds that spilled out on to the sidewalk and are full of loud, underage drinkers. We’ve seen this time and again, and have heard complaints even from those who live across the street or a few doors down, all shaking their heads wondering how such an establishment manages to stay around.
Thankfully, there is a new “angle” which is to actually enforce the no smoking laws that have been in place in California for over a decade. Sure, owners such as Hegazy are decrying this as unfair and others are decrying it an assault against Arabs (which is untrue as they’re also popular in India, which is where the word “hookah” comes from) when really, it comes to the fact that it’s enforcing the law with a happy ending of also going after an indignant business like Cairo Nights. It’s unfortunate that more rational businesses might also get shut down (the Nile Cafe on Jones comes to mind, also Cafe Chanta on Post), but in the end, the law is the law.
I’m still wondering on what grounds Hegazy is going to sue, but I hope the state counter sues to have him pay back the legal expenses for such a flagrant, unnecessary abuse of the courts.
If Cairo Nights hookah lounge closes the residents of Castle apartments will probably celebrate
14 Comments until now
I actually like Nile Cafe. Too bad they’ll probably get caught in the friendly fire.
i’m no particular fan of hookah lounges, but nor do i begrudge him trying to take action – seems to me like his livelihood is being taken away.
Yeah, Cairo gets out of control. Dream on Polk has been shuttered since the announcement was made. For a business that struggled to get asses in the seats for at least a month or two, it’s a shame that they’re packing it in just as things were picking up. Cairo was more the exception than the rule. Amsterdam Cafe has said they will use up what’s left of their tobacco supply this month. I saw people enjoying the warm weather at the always-respectful Nile this weekend.
I’m with Cairo on this one. Actually, if I were the hookah places, I’d band together & see what sticks. Because while I’m not a fan of the crowds that gather at Cairo on Fridays & Saturdays, I feel like the clampdown was unnecessary & not desired by the general public. Plus, if it’s your business, you fight for it. I also have no idea what they would sue for, but law loves to find the gray areas!
Cairo nights is douche central. Good riddance.
Living two doors down from Cairo Nights, with a front facing apartment. I can only hope that Cairo Nights closes. Nothing worse than walking out your apartment and not only dodging the assorted feces, and other detritus, but now peoples dinners, left over Bob’s Donuts and so on.
NO only do you have underage drinking, also more illicit drug use than normal, you also have fights as well. When it is raining, the patrons will crowd under what ever doorway they can find. These patrons are not locals, they seem to come here because it is the place to be.
The owners do not care about their neighbors, only packing more people in. The TL can certainly use more local businesses, just not the type that reinforce the image of the TL as seedy. Close them down!
I’m thinking if they do get into court with a list of some of the things they smoke (dried apples with other flavorings, but no tobacco/weed) they very well may have a leg to stand on.
Expensive way to handle a problem, S.F. There are smaller, better ways to resolve issues, than to shut down a bunch of apple smokers.
@misenplace – People are buying Bob’s Donuts on Polk and not finishing them by the time they get to Cairo Nights?! Now I’m even more upset with the customers. I have half of my donut finished before I even leave the shop.
There is a huge array of things the city can use and the business owners can use. Now the health dept, after following up on this story , I am still confused of what exactly there claims are against the place. If there saying there trying to enforce a smoking ban? There are statewide exemptions for these establishments which can easily be adjusted to if they arent already. If the place is really causing problems in the neighborhood for the “residents” then it may rightfully be deemed a public nuissance and then shut down, but even then the city may be held liable for allowing the business to open at an address so close to residents. That being said, they have no right to tell people if they can or can’t smoke on a private parcel. If this does go to court I will have to be on the business’ side not because I condone smoking but because I like my freedom and I hope the court will protect it. Also there are other options to fighting the noise like mandatory parking lot security, mandatory bouncers but these things are not hookah specific and I dont think would satisfy the cities true intention.
Sadly, Cairo Nights is still open for business. Yes, they have Black Plastic on the windows, but it remains a viable operation. Replete with residual throw up, condoms, and half drank beers.
i love cairoooo nights and i hope they stay open forever. people need to stop being old farts and let everyone have fun.
@ieukn my idea of fun is standing next to your bed firing a machine gun all night long. I’ll be over later.
ieukn: I looove beating people. Can I come over to your place and beat you or are you going to be all old about it? I just want to have fun.
Actually on that subject the Croatian Way to deal with the a cafe noise problem is to go out and mug a couple of patrons every few nights. Eventually they’ll associate the two and you can make an extra few bucks, which is aways welcome in this economy.
cairo cairo is my love and khaled ur the best thats all haterssssssss so