The cease and desist order at the Watusi Lounge at 4600 Walnut St.
Editor’s Note: We are aware that the sign on the establishment at 46th and Walnut says “Watutsi.” However, the business in all its public dealings (its filings, licenses and even its Facebook page) refers to itself as “Watusi,” so that’s what we have always gone with. Both words, of course, refer to the Tutsi people of East Africa.
The Watusi Lounge at 46th and Walnut has been closed for not having a proper food license, according to the city’s Office of Licenses and Inspections.
A cease operations notice was put on the door of the bar and night club on Sept. 6. The Watusi Lounge has received complaints from neighbors for late-night noise including alcohol-fueled fights. Police are still investigating a triple shooting earlier on Aug. 30 allegedly connected to the bar.
The lounge will not be permitted to open until a food license is issued. The notice is the latest in a list of violations the city has issued to Watusi.
In other Watusi-related news, the Watusi II at 45th and Locust, which has also received complaints, got a new paint job over the last few days. Local businessman Noel Karasanyi runs the Watusi Lounge, Watusi II and the Third World Lounge at 49th and Baltimore. The Watusi II was the subject of a community meeting in August, where some community members complained about noise and open drug use. But other members of the community have defended the businesses, saying they are among the few black-owned establishments remaining in the neighborhood.
September 9th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Uh, the bars are actually named for the Watusi tribe in Africa and all of the corporate filings say Watusi not Watutsi. The lounge’s sign at 4600 Walnut is misspelled because that’s exactly how much pride the owner takes in his business: zero.
September 9th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
I was replying to the previous, now deleted commenter, who took issue with the usage of Watusi instead of Watutsi.
September 9th, 2013 at 1:08 pm
What kind of cuisine do they serve at Watusi? I’ve never been.
September 9th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
I believe I saw signs for an all-you-can-eat mussels night that I seem to remember was Tuesday?
Also, Watusi II has just had a shut-down notice posted on its front door today, this one for unpaid taxes.
September 10th, 2013 at 9:48 am
Oh my god I just threw up a little. I would not eat mussels there.
September 10th, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Wouldn’t it be fair to open some Hutu establishments?
September 14th, 2013 at 8:57 am
Alcoholics weep, kids of alcoholics rejoice.
September 24th, 2015 at 1:58 pm
IS the bar still open ? adamjamesh83@live.com
September 24th, 2015 at 2:02 pm
Hi Adam. Yes, it was closed for several months but is open now.
September 24th, 2015 at 2:24 pm
Any females want to grab a drink and something to eat at the Watusi one sat ?