Omaha City Council decided to not take action against Taza Hookah Lounge’s liquor license last week.
The Council discussed a resolution to decide whether to set a hearing to cancel the bar’s liquor license on Tuesday. The resolution stemmed from a disturbance and assault on the premises in June, as well as regular police dispatches.
Deputy City Attorney Tom Mumgaard said that owner Jesse Hill agreed to meet with city officials and come up with a business plan. The plan will be reviewed by the Council committee.
Mumgaard said that when Hill got his liquor license, he described what the business would be.
“He seems to have changed that business, which resulted in a different customer base, which started giving police problems,” Mumgaard said.
If Hill’s customers act up and cause the police problems in the next six months, Mumgaard said Hill will be asked to come back before the Council for cancellation.
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Hill said that the Council was unclear what his establishment was actually functioning as. On a recent appearance on Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue,” the space was seen operating as a nightclub. Now, it is primarily a hookah lounge.
Farnam Street has seen a series of businesses that attract people who want to fight, the “dance and fight crowd,” Mumgaard said. He said he’s not sure if it’s the businesses attracting the customers or if the area has gotten a reputation.
