Chicago officials are confronting a new crisis at Habibti, the West Loop bar and restaurant at 116 N. Aberdeen Street, after a second suspected arson broke out just before 4:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Police confirmed the fire was intentionally set, causing interior damage but no injuries.
City response and ongoing meetings
The Department of Buildings promptly declared the property “off limits” while investigators continue to piece together the incident. Video supplied to Block Club Chicago shows a black vehicle circling the block, stopping behind the restaurant twice before a burst of thick black smoke and loud bangs signaled the fire.
City officials, led by Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. (27th Ward) and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, have scheduled another community meeting to discuss lingering nuisance complaints. The meetings, facilitated by attorney Marianne Rieger, are not formal legal proceedings but aim to outline corrective steps before the city considers revoking the venue’s license.
Resident complaints and city findings
Neighbors have repeatedly cited loud music, public drinking, urination, fights, and late‑night disturbances as a daily burden. They also claim Habibti operates like a nightclub without the proper licensing. Since the last meeting in July, Chicago police have logged 56 service calls related to the establishment, including reports of large gatherings, firearms, and fights. Eight separate incidents were documented outside the venue, though police could not confirm all were directly tied to Habibti.
Officer Carla Duda‑Malinski, who conducted an August 29 walk‑through, observed that the venue opened at 9 p.m., outside typical dining hours, and noted a lack of food service or dining chairs, reinforcing the perception that the space functions more as a bar‑nightclub hybrid.
Owner’s compliance and city expectations
Owner Fadi Akileh has taken some steps the city requested, such as preserving 30 days of security footage, attending a CAPS meeting, and establishing a community complaint phone line. However, officials say he has not yet provided additional documentation on liquor and food sales, met with the alderman’s office, maintained 911 or incident logs, or consistently documented daily trash cleanup.
Security practices also remain under scrutiny. Although Habibti hired a new security firm in late July, police question whether staff are effectively dispersing crowds after closing. Rieger emphasized that “your security that you have hired and are paying for needs to disperse these crowds” to prevent residents from being woken up.
Potential licensing consequences
Rieger indicated that, because conditions have not substantially improved, the city may soon end the community‑meeting process, clearing the way for further licensing action. A separate disciplinary case alleges the business sold tobacco without a license and failed to comply with police directives. A hearing on those allegations is scheduled for Thursday.
Akileh, still shaken by the Tuesday fire, maintains that the restaurant operates within its license terms and plans to expand hours to include lunch. He has also retained legal counsel to represent him moving forward.
What’s next for the neighborhood?
The city’s next steps will hinge on whether Habibti can demonstrate meaningful compliance with the corrective measures outlined by officials. Residents hope for a swift resolution that restores peace to the West Loop, while the business seeks to remain a viable part of the neighborhood’s dining scene.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
