Minneapolis committee approves Reign nightclub liquor license

The Minneapolis City Council’s Business, Housing and Zoning Committee has voted unanimously to approve the liquor license renewal for the Reign Event Center. The decision follows a month-long delay after a mass shooting on July 19, which left nine people wounded outside the nightclub on Hennepin Avenue.

City staff reported that police found no direct connection between the shooting and the business, characterizing the incident as an individual dispute between two people. During the review process, the nightclub’s ownership worked with city officials to update security and business plans. A Minneapolis Police Department precinct inspector also conducted a walkthrough of the establishment.

While some council members expressed concerns regarding a rise in 911 calls at the location, city officials noted that the increase may be attributed to precinct inspectors encouraging the business to report issues more frequently. On the night of the shooting, off-duty police officers were not present as security because they had been reassigned to other duties.