Waid Sainvil, the owner of Waid’s Haitian Cuisine & Lounge in the Central District, says the city has unfairly singled out his establishment. Citing violence in the area, Seattle police have asked the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) to revoke his liquor license—the kiss of death for any bar.
But Sainvil insists he’s a victim of location. The neighborhood around his 12th Avenue and East Jefferson Street establishment is a hotbed of drug and gang activity, he says. “I tell my employees if they see anything suspicious, call 911; so everything that happens on that block, they pin on me. I’ve banned certain people from entering my bar. We have no drugs, no guns, no violence here.”
However, the Seattle Police Department sent a letter to the state in February objecting to the renewal of the bar’s liquor license, citing five fights outside the bar involving “Waid’s patrons.” Police say the bar has also been cited three times in the last year for serving minors. In one instance, a 19-year-old crashed her car after allegedly drinking at the bar—while still wearing her drink-authorization band from Waid’s. According to the case report, Sainvil even admitted to serving alcohol to the minor.
The board’s licensing director has made the initial decision not to renew Waid’s license. The WSLCB’s three-member board must now make the final decision. (The city tried to revoke Waid’s license in 2008 and was overruled by the board.) Meanwhile, Sainvil is fighting to keep his bar. He’s requested a hearing with an administrative law judge, whose decision will be weighed by the review board. “I run the only Haitian restaurant in the Northwest,” Sainvil says. “All I’m trying to do is bring people together and show them good Haitian food and a good time. I’m not a bad guy.” 
This story has been updated since its original publication.
Wow, bummer. Waid is a warm, friendly, pleasant guy, and the food there tastes amazing. I hope he can find a way to stay in business (and stop serving booze to 19-year-olds).
The food is overpriced and dry, and Waid seems to be so perpetually stoned that he constantly double books his space.
this guy is sketchy…
Yeah, I dunno, he may be the warmest dude ever, but multiple times I’ve walked past there and seen a bunch of girls that deffffff look around 19 smoking outside. And while I have no problem with 19 year olds drinking, them’s kind of the rules with the WSLCB right now.
That said, I’ve always wanted to go there, so this makes me pretty sad.
I’ve been to a bunch of great events at Waid’s. That place is a bright spot on a corner that is otherwise popular with the bad energy thug crowd. It’s a great space with a cool patio for hanging outdoor. Energy has been nothing but wonderful.
Waid’s being blamed for an existing problem, when the city should be thankful to him. A friend and I almost got jacked by a couple of teen thugs as we were waiting for a cab. We escaped by running back to Waid’s – thugs did not follow.
That place is the solution, not the problem.
Isn’t Haitian just hip-hop slang for BLACK? John Diaz minority crackdown activate!!!!!!
Waids has Russian karaoke nights regularly too. It’s not what many people think, it’s not like Thompsons at 23rd and Union, not even close. Do those American born black street thugs and drug addicts really have anything in common with Hatians? having the same skin color doesn’t make people the same. But I understand why places like Waid’s confuse many in not very multicultural Seattle.
Waids is a great establishment. Waid himself is very kind, and very hospitable. The times i have been there, there was never any trouble, and the bar was sectioned off with the majority of the establishment catering to 21 and under crowd, while the 21+ group had to stay within 15 feet of the bar. I agree that the neighborhood is likely a bigger issue than the bar itself.
@sarahloyd I look 19 and Im 24, While my friend whos asian can pass as a 12 year old at the movies and shes 25. You cannot judge people by “views” and the problem isnt the bars. The problem is the Fake Ids and the disrespect minors have for the laws. Everybody wants to chastize the owners of these bars but its not fair. They didn’t raise these children.
@mikey, Its not just blacks. And I dont want to be rude, its not just for Hatians. The issue is people dont take the time to realize that wheres theres drinks there is potentinal for fighting. He is being singled out. Point blank. If not they would have shut Tabellas, the cha cha and trinity down. And studio 7.
I will defend this man til the end and I dont even know him that well. However I have spent plenty of time in his space and when a friend was pick pocketed he intervened in what could have been an altercation and gave money out of his own pocket to rectify the situation… it didnt end there as he took them in the back and spoke of peace, love and forgiveness… since when is a bar owner responsible for the actions of others outside of his establishment?? How about putting more time money and energy into cleaning up the area and letting people know what wont be tolerated… do you think that crime ends with his bar…criminals will just do crime at the next place. -Infinite