City of Shoreline closes Café Aroma over unlicensed adult cabaret events

The city of Shoreline closed long-time Ridgecrest Café Aroma for operating without a valid business license and accused the cafe of hosting adult cabaret events without a license.

According to a search on the city’s website, the Café Aroma’s business license expired in on 12/31/2023. The city requires businesses to have an Adult Cabaret license to host exhibitions and performances involving unclothed people or sexual activities.

The cease and desist order posted on the door of the cafe said: “Pursuant to information provided to the City, business activities occurring at Café Aroma's location at 509 NE 165th Street necessitate both a General Business License, for the operation of an eating and drinking establishment (café), and a Regulatory Business License for the operation of an Adult Cabaret. Café Aroma currently does not maintain such licenses.”

Unconfirmed rumors spread in comments on social media speculated the cafe was hosting after hour BDSM parties.

Café Aroma has been in operation since 1992, three years before the city of Shoreline was founded.

Last week, the city of Shoreline released its biennial resident satisfaction survey in which residents complained about the city’s diminishing dining and entertainment options. Only 23% of residents said they were satisfied as a place for dining and entertainment - an all-time low rating since the city first asked the question in 2012 when 30% of residents said they were satisfied.

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