JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her office has issued a formal demand to Reign Hospitality, LLC, operator of Reign Bar in Downtown Columbia, requiring the business to immediately address persistent nuisance conditions and violence radiating from the establishment.
“Columbia is home to our state’s flagship university. Local residents, students, and business owners deserve to live, study, and work in an environment where they feel safe,” said General Hanaway. “When a single location repeatedly contributes to violent disturbances and threatens the peace of an entire neighborhood, leaders must act. We will not wait for another dangerous incident before taking steps to protect the people of Columbia.”
The demand follows months of concern from Columbia residents, business owners, and community leaders about repeated violent incidents occurring in the blocks immediately surrounding Reign Bar. Multiple incidents, including large fights and gunfire directly outside the bar, have alarmed the community and intensified calls for action to restore safety in Downtown Columbia. Missouri law requires Reign Bar to exercise reasonable care to prevent its operations from causing conditions that threaten the safety, peace, and comfort of the public.
The Attorney General’s demand directs Reign Bar to submit, within 14 days, a written plan outlining the meaningful steps it will take to eliminate nuisance conditions in and around the establishment. The plan may include enhanced private security measures, adjustments to operating hours, or other operational changes necessary to safeguard the public. If Reign Bar fails to propose and implement adequate solutions, the Attorney General’s Office will pursue all available legal remedies.
Today’s action aligns with General Hanaway’s ongoing commitment to improving public safety in Missouri’s urban centers. In recent months, the Attorney General’s Office has taken similar steps to address chronic nuisance properties across the state. These efforts are designed to prevent violent incidents, support local communities, and ensure that Missouri’s cities remain safe and vibrant places to live.
The demand letter can be read here.