Planning Case PC-2026-00117 (Revocation) — Downtown Experiment
Description
The city is asking the Commission to revoke the minor conditional use permit and public convenience or necessity determination that allow Downtown Experiment to run as a bar and nightclub at the corner of University and Orange.
Impact summary
The downtown business stays open but under a cloud until the city fixes its code and the entertainment permit can be issued.
Applicant
- Name
- City of Riverside
- Address
- 3601 University Avenue, Riverside, CASee this on the map
At a glance
- Hearings
- 3
- Public comments
- 42
- Total mentions
- 3
Last vote · Planning Commission
Last discussed Jun 4, 2026.
Meeting timeline (3)
Planning Commission — June 4, 2026
The city's case to revoke the bar and nightclub's permits was continued for 90 days while the city pursues a code amendment and entertainment permit path to resolve it.
Planning Commission — March 12, 2026
The city moved to revoke the nightclub's 2018 permit over safety and compliance failures; the commission instead continued the hearing to June 4 to explore lesser remedies.
Planning Commission — February 26, 2026
The city is asking the Commission to revoke the minor conditional use permit and public convenience or necessity determination that allow Downtown Experiment to run as a bar and nightclub at the corner of University and Orange.
Related issues (4)
Downtown Experiment nightclub revocation saga
The city is moving to strip Downtown Experiment of the permits that allow it to operate as a bar and nightclub downtown. A police department memo is in the case file, which suggests safety and enforcement concerns are driving the review. Downtown nightlife, nearby residents, and the Mission Inn Historic District business environment all have a stake in how this lands.
Downtown Experiment revocation and entertainment permit impasse
The City Council sent the entertainment permit code amendment to the Land Use Committee, delaying the fix that would let venues like Downtown Experiment transition from conditional use permits to entertainment permits. Staff will withdraw the revocation case against Downtown Experiment, so the business keeps operating while the policy gets sorted out.
Entertainment permit rules and appeals process
The city decides who has final say when an entertainment permit is denied or revoked — currently the Chief of Police with an independent hearing officer appeal. Chair Cervantes wants appeals to land at the city council so ward representatives have input; others say keeping it with police avoids politics and moves faster for businesses.
Business-friendly process concerns
Multiple commissioners flagged the last-day notice and shifting staff positions as a pattern that makes Riverside look unreliable to businesses. Commissioner Singh warned word-of-mouth damage could deter other businesses from coming to the city.
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