Village Orders Hookah Lounge to Comply with Liquor, Village Laws

Mystique Gardens hookah lounge was ordered to comply with its permit in the face of several reported building and liquor law violations at Monday's work session.

The ordered owners Mag and Maurice Eldeiry, along with their attorney Tom Abbate, to disassemble a large gazebo and quit allowing customers to bring their own alcohol, at least until they formally present their case to the board.

As of Thursday, Mystique has complied with the board's wishes by taking down the gazebo and posting a "No BYOB" ("bring your own beer") sign in their window.

"The guys love the location, they love the clientele…but I have to be honest, we're not going to float," said Abbate of the possible restrictions on alcohol.

According to Mystique's owners, hookah lounges traditionally allow patrons to bring their own alcohol, and they never got a state liquor license. The law requires that whether or not an establishment sells it, a license must be obtained if liquor is to be consumed, according to the board, whose members felt they were misled when owners first sought to open in Farmingdale.

"This was supposed to be a place to wind down after a night of drinking, and now it looks like it's become the place to go drink," said village attorney Kevin Walsh.

Abbate said they would pursue a license and introduced the idea of giving all those over 21 wristbands so that staff could monitor drinking.

On top of having to comply with liquor laws, a quickly constructed gazebo behind the lounge further irritated the board. The Costco-bought gazebo was ordered dismantled, as Mystique's final permit did not allow for such a structure.

While the owners maintained that in original permit drafts, it was understood that an outdoor structure would eventually be built, the board maintained that their final permit did not allow for outdoor seating.

"I'd hate to turn down the opportunity to present to this board…I like to think we're a fair village," said Mayor Ralph Ekstrand as the board agreed to allow Mysiques owners to present at a formal hearing.