Omaha council votes to cancel Crush Ultra Lounge liquor license after months of police reports and neighbor complaints

The Omaha City Council voted 6-0 to cancel the Class C liquor license held by Throwback Empire LLC, which does business as Crush Ultra Lounge, following a multi-hour hearing that included testimony from police officers, neighborhood representatives and the bar’s owner.

Council members heard detailed police testimony and video evidence describing repeated fights, at least one shooting and other disturbances near 1402 Howard Street and adjacent streets in the Old Market/downtown area. Council members also heard testimony from neighbors and business groups who said problems linked to the club have persisted despite prior administrative actions and restrictions.

The decision followed a review of prior proceedings in which the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission had approved the bar’s license with conditions, subsequent police incident reports and on-site body-worn-camera footage. City attorneys told the council the evidence showed violations of city code and license conditions; the bar’s attorney argued the city was unfairly retrying matters already considered by the state commission and raised concerns about policing practices.

Why it matters: Council members said the escalation in the frequency and severity of incidents — including violent…