On December 27, 2024, the City of San Diego filed a civil lawsuit against the property landlords and owners of Secret Yard, a hookah bar and after-hours nightclub in Logan Heights. The lawsuit alleges safety violations, unlicensed alcohol service, and a history of law enforcement responses to the venue. The claims, detailed in Case No. 24CU030963C, follow years of community concerns and investigations.
This article is based on the allegations outlined in the civil lawsuit and reflects the information contained within that legal filing. None of the claims have been proven in court, and the owners of Secret Yard have the opportunity to respond and contest the accusations.
For more than three years, from 2021 until it closed in the early days of 2025, the Secret Yard became a hub for violent crimes and illegal activities, despite its apparent status as an "open secret." The city's lawsuit lays out numerous allegations, including operating beyond permitted hours, selling alcohol without the appropriate license, hosting unsanctioned DJ events, and creating a public nuisance that drained police resources. Among the reported incidents were violent altercations, including shootings, drug deals, and other criminal behavior, most notably an attempted murder inside the bar.
In May 2021, a business license was issued by the city to Secret Yard of the business listed as a "restaurant focused on lunch and dinner that will have soft alcohol beverage service." The hookah lounge's California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license, granted in June 2021, allowed for the sale of beer and wine under specific conditions: alcohol sales were restricted to before midnight indoors and 10pm in the patio area. Even with these limitations, the bar would operate well into the early hours of the morning, often until 6am, offering hard liquor and live entertainment, both of which violated its license.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) launched investigations into the bar after receiving multiple complaints in 2022, but action was slow. After undercover visits and inspections found multiple violations, including the illegal sale of hard liquor, the ABC revoked Secret Yard's alcohol license in November 2023. Despite the revocation, however, the bar's operations continued unchecked, with illegal, after-hours alcohol sales and live entertainment persisting.
In May 2021, a business license was issued by the city to Secret Yard of the business listed as a "restaurant focused on lunch and dinner that will have soft alcohol beverage service." The hookah lounge's California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license, granted in June 2021, allowed for the sale of beer and wine under specific conditions: alcohol sales were restricted to before midnight indoors and 10pm in the patio area. Even with these limitations, the bar would operate well into the early hours of the morning, often until 6am, offering hard liquor and live entertainment, both of which violated its license.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) launched investigations into the bar after receiving multiple complaints in 2022, but action was slow. After undercover visits and inspections found multiple violations, including the illegal sale of hard liquor, the ABC revoked Secret Yard's alcohol license in November 2023. Despite the revocation, however, the bar's operations continued unchecked, with illegal, after-hours alcohol sales and live entertainment persisting.
Below is a small portion of alleged incidents that occurred at or around Secret Yard, as detailed in the lawsuit:
- October 25, 2021 (6:22pm) - SDPD received a call from the owner, who reported customers arguing and refusing to leave the business. He claimed the customers threatened him with a gun but later admitted he had not seen a firearm.
- January 29, 2022 (2:45am) - Officers responded to a loud music complaint and arrested a man urinating in the street and exposing himself near the Property.
- March 19, 2022 (2:32am) - SDPD responded to a shooting, found a male victim with a gunshot wound, and recovered a "ghost gun" and drugs from his possession. Later that morning, officers arrested two intoxicated males outside the business after another report of attempted shooting.
- April 30, 2022 (3:36am) - Officers responded to a report of a male suspect with a gun outside the business. The suspect fled but was arrested nearby for possession of an unserialized firearm. A second magazine was recovered at the scene.
- August 22, 2022 (2:49am) - Officers responded to a homicide near 22nd Street and Imperial Avenue. A man was found shot and killed in a parking lot next to the Secret Yard after an altercation.
- November 14, 2022 (2:27am) - Officers arrested a patron with a loaded handgun. During the arrest, a Secret Yard security guard aimed a semi-automatic weapon at the suspect and was ordered by officers to holster the firearm. Shortly after, the business reported that the same armed patron had returned.
- December 29, 2022 - SDPD responded to a battery and assault at the Secret Yard. A victim reported being strangled, punched, and kicked by security guards. Visible injuries were noted on the victim’s back, neck, and rib cage.
- January 22, 2023 (1:47am) - SDPD responded to noise complaints and gunfire at the Secret Yard. A man was found shot in the head outside the property, and security guards discouraged patrons from speaking to officers. Multiple bullet casings were recovered.
- April 8, 2023 (2:35am) - ABC agents found the Secret Yard operating past legal hours, charging entry fees, serving alcohol, and hosting a DJ with about 25 patrons inside.
- June 11, 2023 (3:35am) - A security guard turned over a gun taken from a patron. Later that morning, SDPD received multiple reports of fights at or near the property and an assault victim reported injuries from the Secret Yard.
- September 30, 2023 (5:02am) - A female victim was stabbed outside the property. Secret Yard security declined to provide surveillance footage to officers.
- January 6, 2024 (5:23am) - A hit-and-run incident escalated to a fight involving three individuals connected to the Secret Yard. Arrests were made, and narcotics were recovered.
- June 1, 2024 (2:07am & 4:12am) - SDPD responded to loud music at the Secret Yard. Later, a female caller screamed for medics, reporting an unconscious male who appeared to have overdosed on narcotics. Officers observed many intoxicated people at the property. Medics transported the unconscious male to Coronado Hospital.
- July 21, 2024 (3:00am) - A man reported being beaten by Secret Yard security guards after being ejected. Officers observed visible injuries, including lacerations and contusions, but security guards refused access to surveillance footage. At 5:45am, officers intervened in a fight between two intoxicated females outside the establishment.
- August 24, 2024 (5:36am) - SDPD investigated an assault with a deadly weapon at the Secret Yard. Sharp Coronado Hospital reported a man dropped off with a stab wound. Officers observed blood on the sidewalk and learned of an altercation involving customers and security guards, which led to a stabbing.
- September 8, 2024 (3:26am) - SDPD received a report of nine gunshots near the Secret Yard. Witnesses indicated the shots came from the property. A male was arrested for public intoxication.
A particular case that drew significant attention occurred on January 22, 2023, when a shooting left one victim critically injured after an altercation inside the bar. The event was captured on surveillance footage, which later played a crucial role in the criminal trial. A Secret Yard bouncer and one of his family members were ultimately convicted in that shooting.
In addition to the legal and criminal issues, the Secret Yard's failure to comply with safety regulations put its patrons at risk. In early 2023, city inspectors allegedly found many code violations, including unpermitted electrical and mechanical work, and significant unapproved building modifications, such as the construction of a 50-foot by 50-foot structure over the patio. Fire inspectors also purportedly raised concerns about the venue's capacity, the unsafe condition of exit doors, and violations of occupancy laws. Despite these inspections, the bar did not take corrective measures, prompting a formal referral to the city attorney’s office.
In April 2023, one specific concerned local parent and community member reached out to city officials, including the City Attorney, the City of San Diego webmaster, and local news media, including SanDiegoVille. Their email expressed concerns regarding alleged illegal activities at the Secret Yard, questioning the enforcement actions by the ABC and city authorities.
The email highlighted issues such as the hookah lounge's alleged illicit alcohol service, late-night operations beyond permitted hours, and potential safety hazards. The concerned citizen mentioned the possibility of oversight issues, speculating that enforcement might have been lacking due to an illicit arrangement, though this was presented as a concern rather than a confirmed fact. The email also referenced public safety risks, including two reported deaths linked to activities at the bar, which contributed to the urgency of the situation. Despite these concerns being raised, there was a delay in immediate action from the city.
After years of complaints and investigations, the city attorney’s office finally filed a lawsuit against the Secret Yard in late December 2023. The suit seeks to recover investigation costs and impose civil penalties on the business owners and landlords for their role in perpetuating a public nuisance and safety hazard. The city is also asking the court to fine the owners for their repeated code violations and illegal operations. The legal action is still in progress, with the potential for additional penalties and fines.
Despite the lawsuit and the revocation of its alcohol license, many are left wondering why it took so long for city authorities to take decisive action against an open and notorious establishment that was blatantly operating illegally. Local business owners and residents have expressed frustration that the Secret Yard was allowed to operate with relative impunity for years. The city’s failure to act swiftly has raised concerns about the effectiveness of local governance in addressing businesses that repeatedly break the law, especially when public safety is at stake.
For more information about Secret Yard, see their Instagram page and visit secretyardsd.com, and check out the full lawsuit below.
Originally published on January 22, 2025.
In April 2023, one specific concerned local parent and community member reached out to city officials, including the City Attorney, the City of San Diego webmaster, and local news media, including SanDiegoVille. Their email expressed concerns regarding alleged illegal activities at the Secret Yard, questioning the enforcement actions by the ABC and city authorities.
The email highlighted issues such as the hookah lounge's alleged illicit alcohol service, late-night operations beyond permitted hours, and potential safety hazards. The concerned citizen mentioned the possibility of oversight issues, speculating that enforcement might have been lacking due to an illicit arrangement, though this was presented as a concern rather than a confirmed fact. The email also referenced public safety risks, including two reported deaths linked to activities at the bar, which contributed to the urgency of the situation. Despite these concerns being raised, there was a delay in immediate action from the city.
After years of complaints and investigations, the city attorney’s office finally filed a lawsuit against the Secret Yard in late December 2023. The suit seeks to recover investigation costs and impose civil penalties on the business owners and landlords for their role in perpetuating a public nuisance and safety hazard. The city is also asking the court to fine the owners for their repeated code violations and illegal operations. The legal action is still in progress, with the potential for additional penalties and fines.
Despite the lawsuit and the revocation of its alcohol license, many are left wondering why it took so long for city authorities to take decisive action against an open and notorious establishment that was blatantly operating illegally. Local business owners and residents have expressed frustration that the Secret Yard was allowed to operate with relative impunity for years. The city’s failure to act swiftly has raised concerns about the effectiveness of local governance in addressing businesses that repeatedly break the law, especially when public safety is at stake.
For more information about Secret Yard, see their Instagram page and visit secretyardsd.com, and check out the full lawsuit below.
