The unfolding drama of the “Venice Karen” has taken a surprising twist, with one of the neighborhood’s most beloved establishments stepping in to ease the heated situation fueled by online backlash.
In the aftermath of “Wanted” posters being plastered around Venice, accusing Venice Neighborhood Council president David Feige of repeatedly filing noise complaints against local bars, Hinano Cafe has come forward to defend him. The cafe has also criticized some of the extreme responses from the public.
In a candid Instagram post shared on Saturday, Hinano Cafe, a longtime staple in Venice, aimed to clarify misconceptions. The cafe declared that Feige is not an adversary but rather “a friend of Hinano Cafe and the businesses of Washington Square.”
This statement challenges the prevailing online portrayal of the situation as a straightforward clash between a wealthy Hollywood figure and the local community.
The wanted poster claimed: “Who builds a multi-million dollar house right behind Hinano’s (est. 1962) and then calls the police 30 times in one day to complain about the noise? Last seen manically calling 911 from a brand-new mansion.”
Hinano’s message further emphasized that, “like any neighbors who share a street, we have differences. But we work through them — constantly, honestly, and with mutual respect.”
Feige maintained to The Post the “claims in the poster are complete lies pushed by a few bars that think theyâre allowed to disrespect their neighbors.”
He added he has lived in the neighborhood for a long time, and the noise at Hinano “has only been an issue since the outdoor space was created and has also made clear that they donât support the posters and had nothing to do with it.â
But Hinano drew a clear line when it came to how far the backlash has gone.
“What we don’t do is put each otherâs faces on âWantedâ posters,” the bar wrote, slamming the flyers targeting Feige as “reckless and irresponsible.” Hinano said they had nothing to do with the stunt, and condemned it immediately.
Instead, the bar tied to shift the narrative to something far less viral: neighbors actually getting along.
The post featured a photo of Hinano owner Mark Van Gessel alongside restaurateur Manuel Giusti and Feige himself.
“What you see here is the real picture,” the caption read. “Friends, breaking bread, doing the work.” The message underscores a more nuanced reality behind the headlinesâone where tensions coexist alongside cooperation.
“Washington Square is a community worth investing in,” the post concluded. “Weâre all invested.”
