Washington Heights Bar Mia Sushi & Steakhouse Shut Down By State, Officials Say

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A Washington Heights hookah bar and nightclub had its liquor license suspended after a rash of violent incidents and one case of a defective hookah pipe causing a patron to suffer carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mia Sushi & Steakhouse racked up fifteen violations with the New York State Liquor Authority for operating a disorderly premises, excessive noise, selling to a minor and "becoming a focal point for police attention," according to an SLA press release. As a result, the business had its liquor license immediately suspended and is no longer able to serve alcohol or allow it to be consumed on the premises.

The Washington Heights bar — located on St. Nicholas Avenue between West 185th and 186th streets — was recently the site of a stabbing on Aug. 25 and a shooting on Aug. 27, state officials said.

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On Aug. 27 two female patrons at the bar argued with another individual about a lost phone, state officials said. The women eventually retrieved the phone and as they were leaving the bar their car was shot at multiple times. Both women suffered injuries, an nobody from the bar called police, state officials said.

On Aug. 25 and March 29th patrons of Mia Sushi & Steakhouse were stabbed in front of the business, state officials said.

These three incidents were examples of a "pattern" of violence at the Washington Heights establishment, state officials said.

"The pattern of disturbing violence, serious callousness for personal safety, and dangerous overcrowding occurring within and around this establishment presents a clear threat to its patrons and the community at large," Christopher R. Riano, counsel to the SLA, said in a statement. "Swift action will continue to be taken against all licenses who condone violence and operate as though they are immune from regulation."

In addition to violence, Mia Sushi & Steakhouse was also the scene of a poisoning, state officials said. On May 17, a patron smoking hookah at the bar was transported to the hospital after foaming at the mouth and losing consciousness, state officials said. He was later diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning caused by using a defective hookah, state officials said.

Mia Sushi & Steakhouse was awarded its liquor license on Dec. 16, 2016, according to state officials. The business was previously dined $2,500 on April 3 of this year, officials said.

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