Habibi Lounge

198 Avenue A · btwn 12th & 13th St
East Village, Manhattan

In 2026

Closed; now Auriga Cafe

Checked October 16, 2026.

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Overview

Small lounge with hookahs and dancing.

History

Hookahs out, biscuits in, biscuits out

By November 2011 neighbors hadn't seen Habibi, the hookah bar on Avenue A between 12th and 13th Streets, open in several weeks, and a reader reported a "seized by Marshal" note on the door¹. Empire Biscuit opened in the space in October 2013, and a for-rent sign marked its official end in February 2017^{2, 3}. Auriga Cafe, the second venture of El Camion's owner, David Duran, opened at 198 Avenue A in the fall of 2019, two storefronts north of El Camion⁴.

Sources

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby

Rapture Cafe & Books under 0.1 mi No license found in 2026
Common Ground under 0.1 mi Closed; now Waiting on a Friend
Heathers under 0.1 mi Closed; now Sushi W
Drop-Off Service 0.1 mi Still pouring
Mug Cafe and Wine Bar 0.1 mi No license found in 2026
Forbidden City 0.1 mi A different business is licensed at this address: Cafe Joah
Keybar 0.1 mi A different business is licensed at this address
The Phoenix 0.1 mi Still pouring
Angels & Kings 0.1 mi Closed; now Rabbit Books & Bar
Starbar 0.1 mi Closed; now Spike's