Capitol Hill’s Cobra Lounge still smoking as King County takes closer look at hookah bars
We haven’t checked in with the Cobra Lounge since the hookah club lit its first bowls of shisha at the intersection of Madison and Union back in late march. As we told you then, the Cobra was the second project from a group that figured out how to navigate the state and county bureaucracy surrounding tobacco-based businesses with its first club up in Bellingham.
Recently, another nearby club caught the attention of King County Health. Majles Cafe, on 12th Ave down across Madison, got dinged by inspectors last summer for various infractions including allowing non-members to smoke but, instead of packing it up and shutting down, Majles has re-opened in an even larger space:
Cobra owner Erin Cobb told us in March that he was setting up the Capitol Hill club differently than his Bellingham venture. In Bellingham, Cobra customers buy their shisha in one area and move to a separate club location nearby to smoke it and hang out. On Capitol Hill, Cobb said set up the lounge as one facility. But he’s also ready to convert the space to a layout he believes will put the lounge in compliance. Cobb told us this week that King County Health has been in touch but they gave him “no real word on what is happening with the other hookah lounges,” he said. Right now, it’s business as usual for the Cobra. The club also has an application for a liquor license posted so it’s possible that soon club goers will be able to enjoy a drink and a smoke. Meanwhile, according to KING 5, Majles has until July 15 to prove to County Health that it is complying with state laws.
My first reaction was “WTF? Seriously? These folks are still in business?!”
Then when I thought about it, I thought, why not? Actually, let’s allow some (a very few) places that are just for smoking. Want to light up? Sure, take it inside. Have regulated places where 18+ only can go in and smoke whatever they want. Get it the hell off the streets so people who are allergic, like me, or folks who just don’t want to breathe other people’s exhaust can inhale fresh, clean air.
This is, in lieu of making tobacco outright illegal, which, for me, would be a dream come true. Even better if we could ban ALL smoking everywhere. (Cue “pipe dream” jokes)
i really like this article..i just want to aapreciate you for this work..and i would like to read more article on this…yes..the Cobra was the second project from a group that figured out how to navigate the state and county bureaucracy surrounding tobacco-based businesses with its first club up in Bellingham.
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