Krush Ultra Lounge (1402 Howard) - CLOSED

[ChadJK]

Looks like Throwback Arcade Lounge is closing permanently on 2/16/2024.

[Coyote]

Looks like Throwback Arcade Lounge is closing permanently on 2/16/2024.

Nostalgic downtown Omaha bar announces its closure



A popular bar in the old market announced they will be closing just months after fighting to keep its liquor license.

[NEDodger]

Good riddance.

[nativeomahan]

It was a horrible fit for the Old Market area. Let’s hope someone with more sense purchases the property, as it looks like it would have good potential as a rooftop restaurant.

[Jins123]

It was a horrible fit for the Old Market area. Let’s hope someone with more sense purchases the property, as it looks like it would have good potential as a rooftop restaurant.

Yes! The outside of the building looks so nice! Great potential!

[BIGO88]

This is re opening as Krush Ultra Lounge. Supposedly had been rebranded to an entertainment venue/restaurant rather than a club.

[JDJase]

I saw the new signage this weekend and was going to post a picture but completely forgot. I see they have Shades of Hunks male strippers scheduled for May 31 hehe.

From KMTV:

...Now, its owner is back in front of the state board asking for fewer restrictions.

That's because owner, Tony Pham is trying to re-open the bar with a new name, Krush Ultra Lounge.

He pitched it to regulators as a new concept with more security.

"We have installed additional cameras all around the bar, we have hired more security,” Pham said.

There is also a greater focus on food service and different entertainment.

"We built a little stage to have shows like dueling pianos and comedy shows, things of that sort, more wholesome type of entertainment," Pham said.

[nativeomahan]

I see. Male strippers and other “wholesome type(s) of entertainment.”
Maybe a bar like that belongs up on Abbot Drive in Carter Lake more than in the Old Market.

[Athomsfere]

I see. Male strippers and other “wholesome type(s) of entertainment.”
Maybe a bar like that belongs up on Abbot Drive in Carter Lake more than in the Old Market.

I think its a fine location. Not that I have a lot of trust in the owners to keep it dialed in.

[NEDodger]

I see. Male strippers and other “wholesome type(s) of entertainment.”
Maybe a bar like that belongs up on Abbot Drive in Carter Lake more than in the Old Market.

Yeah, given the place’s prior problems…..stating one thing and then doing something else isn’t going to end well.

Unfortunate, because I’d love a dueling piano bar downtown again.

[Louie]

I see. Male strippers and other “wholesome type(s) of entertainment.”
Maybe a bar like that belongs up on Abbot Drive in Carter Lake more than in the Old Market.

Yeah, given the place’s prior problems…..stating one thing and then doing something else isn’t going to end well.

Unfortunate, because I’d love a dueling piano bar downtown again.

Agreed, we are really missing out on a dueling piano bar. Or something like a Howl at the Moon.

[Coyote]

Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to allow licensed promoters at former Throwback Arcade Lounge



The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission will allow Krush Lounge, formerly known as the Throwback Arcade Lounge to book shows through licensed promoters. This is the only restriction being changed on the long list placed on its liquor license last year. The decision comes after a hearing Tuesday where the club requested some restrictions placed on its license last year be removed as they look to re-brand. The co-owner Tony Pham said he wanted to book things like comedy shows through professional booking agencies and close at 2 a.m.

[nativeomahan]

Somehow the name “Krush Ultra Lounge” does not conjure up thoughts of a restaurant or a comedy club. Likewise, when the business owner complains that “most” of his revenue occurs between 1 am and 2 am, I’m guessing that won’t come from stand up comedy performances or prime rib dinners.
I’m not a late night bar person, or for that matter much of a bar patron at all anymore. That ship done sailed years ago. But from my experience in Omaha (as opposed to a larger city where bars stay open until, 3, 4 or 6 am), many bar patrons wander out the door before “last call”. I gotta question this business owner’s true intentions for this place, with his re-branding as “Krush”. I guess time will tell.

[nebport5]

I can't help but think of Maria Sangria/Denim and Diamonds, etc. You can change the name (and supposedly the concept) yet still likely attract the same type of crowd with the same problems.

[swgiust]

A turd is a turd no matter what you call it. This is the wrong concept for this part of town. Period.

[Coyote]

Downtown Omaha bar with troubled past reopens under new name



A downtown Omaha bar with a troubled past is reopening under a new name. The former Throwback Arcade Lounge is celebrating its grand reopening Friday as Krush Ultra Lounge. “I wish them the best of luck,” Omaha City Councilman Danny Begley said. However, he remains cautious. “The past has shown us that we will keep a close eye on them and if there’s issues, we will act accordingly,” Begley said. When the bar was called the Throwback Arcade Lounge, the City of Omaha received multiple complaints including fighting, public urination and denying officers entry at times. The Omaha City Council voted unanimously not to renew their liquor license, forcing the owners to reapply with the state. However, The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission overrode the city council’s recommendation, granting the owners a liquor license with restrictions. Restrictions include no alcohol served after 1 a.m. Krush Lounge is required to provide security, help patrol, and clean the neighborhood, and use licensed promoters.

[nebport5]

There was a shooting last night right outside Krush.

[halgy]

What the heck is it with this place?

[nativeomahan]

There was a shooting last night right outside Krush.

A man was shot in the head outside the bar’s entrance.
I’m guessing that none of us are terribly surprised.
Ultra lounge? Ultra dangerous.

[Louie]

Hey, I think I found Tony's ex-wife lol

[Tossaway1234]

Krush Ultra Lounge lost their liquor license for 30 days. Let the business failure commence!

[Tossaway1234]

The Krush Ultra Lounge, formerly The Arcade Lounge, has lost its liquor license for 30 days.

[Greg S]

Would love to see someone else get this place and clean it up. It's a pretty cool property.

[djc311]

The Krush Ultra Lounge, formerly The Arcade Lounge, has lost its liquor license for 30 days.

Never been there and I don't know of anyone that has... but I can honestly say I'm by no means surprised by this happening. LOLOL

[Linkin5]

Not surprised to hear about the liquor license, heard from a possibly reliable source that the owner is a fat loser and Vegas promoter wannabe.

[Hawkeye]

Owner is getting a divorce, clearly he cannot make anything work. throwback failed, marriage failed, krush is soon to fail. Tony is a fat loser, and a Vegas promoter wanna be. Trashy establishment…. After the bankruptcy papers, he can go back to the hood and rot. Clearly where he belongs. I’m glad his marriage failed. He deserves his life to fall apart.

Sincerely,
Tony's Mother

[swgiust]

Great building. But just a little too far out of the Old Market. Somebody is going to have to come up with a solid concept that doesn't involve hip hop.

[nebport5]

Great building. But just a little too far out of the Old Market. Somebody is going to have to come up with a solid concept that doesn't involve hip hop.

One block? I haven't heard this said lately, but not so long ago this area was being referred to as Market West.

[Greg S]

Great building. But just a little too far out of the Old Market. Somebody is going to have to come up with a solid concept that doesn't involve hip hop.

One block? I haven't heard this said lately, but not so long ago this area was being referred to as Market West.

Yeah I don't think of it as too far west.

Also Krush has posted on their Facebook page that they did not lose their liquor license.

[djc311]

Great building. But just a little too far out of the Old Market. Somebody is going to have to come up with a solid concept that doesn't involve hip hop.

One block? I haven't heard this said lately, but not so long ago this area was being referred to as Market West.

Yeah I don't think of it as too far west.

Also Krush has posted on their Facebook page that they did not lose their liquor license.

HAHA - that's because they paid a fine AFTER that happened so they could get it back, conditionally.

This place won't last, either. You would think anyone with business sense would do whatever it took to mitigate these activities from taking place. Hiring private security, off-duty cops, I don't know the answer - but I'm also not trying to run a night club in a location that's been prone to nothing but headaches.

Unfortunately someone will be shot, stabbed, etc before it's finally closed down.

[Greg S]

Great building. But just a little too far out of the Old Market. Somebody is going to have to come up with a solid concept that doesn't involve hip hop.

One block? I haven't heard this said lately, but not so long ago this area was being referred to as Market West.

Yeah I don't think of it as too far west.

Also Krush has posted on their Facebook page that they did not lose their liquor license.

HAHA - that's because they paid a fine AFTER that happened so they could get it back, conditionally.

This place won't last, either. You would think anyone with business sense would do whatever it took to mitigate these activities from taking place. Hiring private security, off-duty cops, I don't know the answer - but I'm also not trying to run a night club in a location that's been prone to nothing but headaches.

Unfortunately someone will be shot, stabbed, etc before it's finally closed down.

I went there for 80's nights a couple times when it was Throwback. I will say that as the night went on, they had a ton of security working (we are older so we left before it got late).

[ChadJK]

Let me just be a clueless older person for a sec... What is an "ultra lounge" and how does it differ from a standard "lounge?"

[djc311]

Let me just be a clueless older person for a sec... What is an "ultra lounge" and how does it differ from a standard "lounge?"

Ultra lounges have massaging functions, whereas a standard lounge only reclines.

[GenX]

Let me just be a clueless older person for a sec... What is an "ultra lounge" and how does it differ from a standard "lounge?"

It’s ultra.

[Brad]

Disturbance early this morning:

[djc311]

Disturbance early this morning:

Glad they were able to pay the fine and get their liquor license back. Seems like a great idea to keep this place open.

[iamjacobm]

The city council is going to vote to cancel the liquor license on the 21st. I bet that is the end of it for this iteration at least.

[djc311]

The city council is going to vote to cancel the liquor license on the 21st. I bet that is the end of it for this iteration at least.

I wonder if it's on hold then for now (assuming this situation raised enough red flags that the city is trying to punish them) or if they get to retain their license until 1/21?

I can't believe something in the location alone or the building is causing the trouble... therefore, it has to come back on mgmt/ownership. Even if they're hiring their own security, something apparently isn't working correctly.

[ChadJK]

Unfortunately, this address has such a tarnished reputation now that any drinking establishment that opens in there is going to be under a microscope and surrounded by neighbors with a very short fuse. It may be better off becoming something other than a bar/club. Right now, it feels like any future owners are set up for failure.

[nebport5]

Council voted 6-0 to cancel.