Residents said it was "irresponsible" of a Nottingham shisha bar to open to customers during a national lockdown.
The owner of the Red Sea Shisha bar in Alfreton Road was fined £1,000 along with 12 men who were issued £200 fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus rules.
It comes after police were called at around 10pm on Wednesday evening (March 10) after Community Protection Officers spotted the gathering inside the premises.
Jacob Cran, 19, a student at Nottingham Trent University, said: "I think it’s a good thing he’s been fined.
"It’s really irresponsible. Everyone's doing their bit to stop coronavirus spreading and people like that just take the mickey really.
"You can't get away with it. I walk past the shisha bar every day and I hadn't noticed anything."
Dave Brown, 55, who works in Radford, said: "People are frustrated with the lockdown but you've just got to follow the rules really.
"Maybe he's losing out because he is closed and has rent due. But it will sort itself out down the line, whenever that may be. If you can survive before the pandemic you can survive after it.
"But people should do as they are told. I'm a party animal and I want to go out, but I don't.
Dave, who used to live in Radford, said he thinks there has been a difference in Radford between the first and third lockdowns.
He added: "I'm lucky I still have a job to go to.
"After the first lockdown, I got back from Jamaica and it was so quiet. Now it is getting a lot busier."
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Amy English said: “It is very disappointing that people feel they can still act outside of the law and the incident last night is very frustrating for those who have followed the rules.
“I am equally excited by the prospect of the rules relaxing but now more than ever it is important that we continue to stick to the rules in order for the Government’s roadmap to go as planned.
“We don’t want people jumping the gun now which is why it's vital that everyone does everything they can to prevent transmission of the virus by following the regulations."
