The Night Isn't Over for Downtown Experiment

The Planning Commission on Thursday postponed the decision to revoke Downtown Experiment's operating permits to June to give the city and owner time to come up with possible alternatives.

After numerous police calls and a series of incidents – including reports of a shooting inside the club, assaults in the alley outside, sexual assaults, physical altercations and security guards battering customers – city staff recommended the Planning Commission revoke Downtown Experiment's club and nightclub permit and alcohol sale permit.

However, after lengthy debate at the March 12 meeting – in which dozens of residents showed up to speak in support of the club's owner – commissioners moved to continue the decision to June 4 to allow time to discuss possible changes to the club's conditional use permits.

"I do not support an outright revocation," said commission chair Launa Wilson, adding that she supported a "less nuclear option."

Owner Marco McGuire said at the hearing that he was eager to work with the commission.

"As the owner of the establishment, I'm open to dialogue," he said. "I would like to sit with the planning commission and the lieutenant [and discuss] whatever I can do as a business owner to show you guys that I'm here to make any changes, any adjustments, and be an example [rather] than a nuisance for Riverside."

McGuire and his attorney previously requested a continuance to April 23, citing insufficient time to prepare. Attorney Eugene Kim told the commission the revocation notice — sent via registered mail Feb. 6 — wasn't received until Feb. 9, and the staff report wasn't available until Feb. 13.

Kim also noted that police records requested through a public records request won't be available until March 13 — one day after the hearing.

Commissioner Brian Baird said he was open to working with McGuire, but expressed skepticism that the club could meet new conditions.

"I appreciate the owners here saying you will comply, but part of the problem here is that we have a bunch of data and accusations that say you're not complying with the current conditions," Baird said. "So there's some confidence issues that I have with even applying new conditions… why are we going to put more restrictive ones that, again, won't be complied with?"

Alleged Violations

Data compiled by the Riverside Police Department reported the club generated 504 police calls since it opened five years ago – with 99 police reports resulting from those calls.

The commission's report noted a high volume of noise complaints and the sale of tobacco without a permit.

"Any violation of the conditions of approval is by itself grounds for revocation," said Edgardo Caldera, principal planner with Community and Economic Development.

Caldera said the club received seven noise complaints between Nov. 27 and Dec. 7, 2024 alone, which violates the club's permit conditions. Additionally, he said police detectives found evidence of tobacco sales occurring inside the club in September 2025.

McGuire told the Gazette that he was "shocked" to learn of the hearing last month after receiving a call from an employee.

McGuire said many of the police calls attributed to Downtown Experiment happened outside the club, but were attributed to the club since police responders need to use an address or coordinates to navigate to.

"A lot of things happen on University Avenue and Orange Street, it's a congregation spot for a lot of hospitality people," he said. "A lot of things would happen on that corner after we were closed that we're not in control of – it has nothing to do with us. There are 21 clubs nearby that serve alcohol, and the parking lot is located right behind us."

In regards to a shooting that occurred in 2023 in an alley nearby, McGuire reiterated, "some things occur between customers after they leave – we can't control what happens after people leave here."

McGuire said the club has made some mistakes, but he learned from them and adjusted accordingly.

He said the club added more security measures, including a metal detector, after one customer shot his friend in the foot in the heat of an argument in 2023.

"Our security took care of it, the police came, and the man didn't end up pressing charges because it was his friend," he said.

McGuire said that apart from 911 calls and noise complaints, there were no citations issued to Downtown Experiment in 2025 and 2026.

As for reports of tobacco sale without a permit, McGuire said they allowed a "young entrepreneur" to host a temporary hookah pop-up inside the club. Police detectives came and discovered there was a low percentage of tobacco in his hookah – so they switched it to tobacco with zero-percent hookah, and when police came several weeks later for a follow-up, no citation was issued.

There were also reports of security without credentials – McGuire said one of those security guards was not from Downtown Experiment, and another was credentialed but didn't have his card on him.

Community Support

Dozens of Riversiders showed up to public comment on Thursday to speak in support of McGuire's character and his business.

"In my experience, the McGuire businesses are built on values that are passed down from generation to generation – values like trust, integrity, hard work and giving back," said Selena Rodriguez, director of the Riverside Athletics Facility.

Rodriguez highlighted the McGuire family's charity work – such as the Miracles and Dream Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on youth education and social justice.

"In many ways, the growth of a business is tied to the success of a community, and this is truly how the McGuire family and their businesses have built their legacy, not just through products and services, but through the impact and the lives that they've touched," Rodriguez said.

Several employees of Downtown Experiment also spoke at the meeting.

"If Downtown Experiment closes, it's not just a business decision, it affects real people, real families and their futures," said Mariana Martinez, marketing coordinator for the club.

The commission will continue the discussion on June 4.