Flame 13 restaurant and lounge, 2230 N. King Drive, will shut down for a year after Milwaukee’s Licenses Committee denied renewal of its tavern license on Sept. 9. A mass brawl that took place outside Flame 13 on July 21 was cited by the committee as primary evidence for the denial.
What happened during the July 21 brawl?
According to police reports, passersby called in a fight among a large group of juveniles attending an influencer event hosted by Flame 13. Three callers reported mace being sprayed. Approximately 500 people covered the sidewalk, parking lot and street when Milwaukee police officers arrived.
The fight started on the evening of a free event at Flame 13 featuring Youtuber Eli Unique and including a lineup of other popular internet influencers. One witness told police the fight included as many as 100 people.
One of Flame 13’s owners, James Perry, told officers on the scene the event was intended to give back to youth and the community, but the venue had reached capacity and a line of people were waiting outside for their turns to enter.
Flame 13’s other owner, Marvin Bailey, told the Licenses Committee the venue staff was unprepared for the crowd the event drew in.
“This was not a reckless event, but [the fight] turned it into a reckless event,” said Bailey. “This event was designed to help heal the community.”
During their invesigation, officers determined the fight was related to a firecracker thrown near the venue that patrons mistook as a gunshot.
Patrons scattered toward North Avenue once the reported firecracker exploded. Eyewitnesses cited in the police report said the fight among the teens ensued afterward.
Most individuals present ranged from 10- to 18-years-old, according to police officer Kyle Labensky, who responded to the scene. Police squads were on the scene for approximately 2 hours, according to Labensky’s report.
The exact number of injuries is unstated in the police report, but the report said police responded to calls about asthma attacks, panic attacks, and a seizure along with injuries from the physical fight.
Unapproved changes cited in license denial
Milwaukee District 6 Alderwoman Milele Coggs, whose district includes Flame 13, said red flags were raised for her by the event.
“I don’t want to wait until somebody’s kid is dead before we take this license away,” Coggs said. “I have no confidence in the management of this establishment to make improvements that will not jeopardize the health, welfare and safety of everybody in that area.”
Coggs also cited calls made to the Milwaukee Police Department about littering, loitering and noise complaints around the establishment over the course of Flame 13’s first year in operation.
Bailey expressed remorse and apologized for the amount of resources expended by the city during the July 21 incident. “No matter how you phrase it, we’re at fault,” he said.
Alderwoman Coggs also said Flame 13’s owners deviated from the original business proposal they presented her with prior to their opening.
The original business proposal did not include teen events, which the applicant would have to indicate was included in operations. Additionally, Flame 13 reduced its menu selections after disputes with a former chef. Coggs said these changes were not approved by the licenses committee.
The committee moved to deny renewal of Flame 13’s license on the basis of noncompliance with the approved plan of operation, disturbance of peace, assaults and batteries, littering and noise complaints.
Flame 13’s provisional license expires Sept. 29.
The management of Flame 13 did not respond to a request for comments.
Flame 13 opened in August 2024, replacing the closed Jewels Carribean Restaurant.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Flame 13 license renewal denied after mass brawl during summer event
Reporting by Angelika Ytuarte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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