The Reno City Planning Commission on Nov. 5 approved a conditional use permit allowing Jupiter Red, a Midtown bar on South Virginia Street, to host live entertainment after 11 p.m., subject to conditions intended to protect neighborhood livability.

Grace Macadine, senior management analyst, told commissioners the permit only applies to live entertainment after 11 p.m.; the bar use itself is allowed by right in the mixed‑use Midtown commercial zoning. She emphasized that a required security plan — developed in coordination with the Reno Police Department and code enforcement — will be attached to the business license and can be scaled or modified for future operators. The security plan must address staffing and procedures, patron queuing, hours of operation, exterior lighting, and measures to prevent loitering. Staff said RPD and code enforcement monitored the business over the summer and reported no current violations but acknowledged earlier complaints that prompted the CUP application.

Owner Eddie Arista said Jupiter Red opened about a year ago and seeks to broaden Midtown’s nightlife by offering more live entertainment while supporting local artists. "We are committed into making sure that it's a safe environment for not only the patrons, but our staff," Arista said during his presentation, describing metal detectors, pat‑downs, indoor and outdoor cameras and a no‑weapons policy.

Multiple nearby residents testified during public comment that amplified music with heavy bass, parking in the alleyway that blocks garage access and potential fire egress, loitering, fights and vandalism have degraded sleep and safety. Samantha Romanik, a resident directly behind the bar, said, "I'm in opposition for this." Lori Soltis, another adjacent resident, asked the commission to enforce existing city ordinances before granting extended live‑music hours and urged enforceable decibel limits, parking management and clear complaint pathways.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on specific mitigations, including whether RPD could recommend hours and how complaints are best reported and enforced. Staff said the city can deploy noise meters on light poles for weekend monitoring and prefers noise complaints to be submitted through Reno Direct (code enforcement) rather than 911, which may not prioritize noise calls.

After deliberation, commissioners approved the CUP with two notable amendments to staff’s recommended conditions: (1) a temporary limitation requiring the security plan to restrict live‑music hours Monday through Thursday to no later than 11 p.m. for the first six months after licensure (that requirement will lapse after six months unless the zoning administrator acts to retain it), and (2) language clarifying that security personnel shall be stationed outside of the building during live music events at a minimum. The motion to approve the CUP with those amendments was made by Commissioner Velto and seconded by Commissioner Becerra; it passed unanimously.

What this means: Jupiter Red may operate live entertainment after 11 p.m. under the CUP; the business license–attached security plan will define site‑specific operating hours and procedures and can be modified with RPD oversight. Residents and the applicant were encouraged to continue direct communication and to use Reno Direct/code enforcement to document and triage complaints.

Votes at a glance
Motion: Approve conditional use permit for live entertainment after 11 p.m., with amendments limiting Monday‑Thursday live music to 11 p.m. for six months and requiring outside security during live events.
Mover: Commissioner Velto.
Second: Commissioner Becerra.
Outcome: Approved unanimously (voice vote).