Laila Goes Down

11211, brooklyn, cocaine, laila lounge, stash spot, williamsburg

20 Nov, 2009 by New York Herald in Nightlife

The Brooklyn Paper is calling it a “huge bust at a hipster drug den” as news emerged of a drug investigation and arrest yielding 18 keys and $800,000 in cash money held by three middle aged suspects.  Investigators say the former Laila Lounge was used as a hub for delivery all over town.   The three suspects had apparently been under surveillance for months before the bust.   Part of their suspicious activity may have included generating alot of trash outside their apartments and not fitting into the younger demographic.  “They looked like rock world hipsters, but older,” reports a neighbor.   The street value of the supply is north of a million.

Prior to this however, Laila Lounge once held court as a casual late night go-to spot featuring a pool table, an outdoor patio and often a DJ.   The bar with the club atmosphere was well-regarded for consistently staying up past their bedtime.  The place also enjoyed a terrific location right on North 7th and Berry, but it’s low-key vibe made it hard for tourists to spot and attracted a specific, in-the-know following that allowed the place to keep it’s composure even on a Friday or Saturday night.

A review from NYMag while it was open was unimpressed:

“It’s remarkable how little effort apparently went into Laila, which offers reasonably-priced mixed drinks like vodka and sodas or gin and tonics at $5 each, but not much else.” Map