Florida hookah lounge fined $16,000 after residents complain of 'illegal activity': police

Daytona Beach hookah bars forced to close earlier because of crime concerns

The City of Daytona Beach has set new rules for how late hookah bars can stay open. Some argue it will help cut out crime, but business owners say they might have to close completely.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A hookah lounge in Daytona Beach was hit with a hefty fine for "illegal activity" after receiving several complaints from concerned residents, police said in a news release.

The tenants and the owner of the Smoke Hookah Lounge located on Grandview Avenue appeared before a Magistrate for the second time in the past few months and were fined for violations including the illegal sale of alcohol without a license, selling alcohol to underage patrons, operating after-hours without a permit, along with other ordinance violations, officials said.

The tenants were fined $15,000.

The store owner, who does not live in Florida, was fined $1,000. The owner has hired an attorney to pursue evicting the current tenants.