Man shot, killed at Queen's Hookah
Only a couple days after my post about how the new Queen's Hookah opened in an ill-fated location, a man was slain in the downtown hookah bar.
At 3:15 this morning, an unidentified man was shot several times at the hookah bar, at 227 E. Baltimore St., according to this piece by Sun reporter Liz Kay. The man was taken to Shock Trauma, where he later died.
Earlier this week, Queen's Hookah was celebrating its grand opening by allowing BYOB until July 1 ...
I wonder if that meant people brought beer and wine last night, or if the practice ended on June 30?
Either way, the problem with this location is, it's right next to The Block. Most hookah bars tend to stay open until the wee hours of the morning -- sometimes as late as 4 or 5 a.m., depending on the night.
At that time, a pretty unruly crowd is pouring out of the strip clubs on The Block, and looking to carry the party a little later. I'm not passing judgment until all the facts emerge here, but I'm saying it's no surprise, given the address.
When I reviewed El Basha, Queen's Hookah's predecessor, about a year ago, I could tell the folks who frequented The Block, didn't yet understand what was going on inside El Basha. They would peer through the windows, but they didn't come inside.
I can only assume that, in the time since, some regulars of The Block started patronizing Queen's Hookah. If so, it was only a matter of time before violence erupted there. It's a shame for the owners of Queen's Hookah, who are just trying to make a go of it -- albeit in the wrong spot.
(Baltimore Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
Why no mention of the bar name in the original piece by Liz Kay?
Is there a Sun policy against that? Or was it just not known when it was written?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 2, 2010 9:46 AM
ho-hum
Posted by: bill | July 2, 2010 12:09 PM
Harm City.Sad.Rest in peace, soldier.
Posted by: TheBaltimoreColt | July 2, 2010 12:33 PM
@ "anon" It's a liberal conspiracy. They hate America so much that they would NEVER say that it's a Hooka bar associated with Islamic culture.
Posted by: Madisonn Smarrtt Ass | July 2, 2010 3:09 PM
@Anon -- Haha, yes, well, as M.S.A. pointed out, there is that. Also, it's because at 7 a.m. this morning when the story was posted, the police didn't specify that it was a hookah bar, and not just a regular old bar.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 2, 2010 3:31 PM
is this bar associated with Islamic cuture and Our soldiers are getting killed around that area? Can someone explaine that.
Posted by: E.T. | July 3, 2010 12:33 AM
is this bar associated with Islamic cuture and Our soldiers are getting killed around that area? Can someone explaine that.
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Posted by: Abject Disaster | July 3, 2010 3:39 PM
Totally confused. So what if it's connected to Islamic culture? If you don't want to go, stay away. I'm amazed that you would even write a comment like that. Plus, use your head. If it WAS, it wouldn't be allowing BYOB. But, yeah, hookah bars originated in the Middle East or nearby areas, I guess. Is that a crime?
Posted by: neversaydie | July 4, 2010 1:46 PM
I smell message-board swill ...
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 6, 2010 9:01 AM
Yeah, maybe after 9/11, where everybody got so sensitive. Thanks a lot, bin Laden.
Posted by: JTK | July 6, 2010 10:19 AM
MY NAME IS KEOKA LOVE AND CHASE LOVE WAS THE MAN KILLED IN THE HOOKAH BAR... HE WAS MY LITLE BROTHER... ITS STILL HARD TO BELIEV THAT SOMEONE CAN TAKE A LIFE IN THAT WAY.. ITS BEEN TWO MONTHS AND WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT WHATS GOIN ON WITH MY BROTHERS KILLING... IF ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING PLEASE SAY SOMETHING... THANKS
Posted by: KEOKA LOVE | September 3, 2010 3:46 PM
whoever u are I will find u, someday, I have prayed about it, move on and upward to the light. Maha-bone. Love to Love
Posted by: In do time | April 15, 2011 10:46 PM