On Tuesday, following a nearly hourlong discussion, the Milwaukee Common Council’s Licenses Committee approved tavern and food dealer licenses for Diaspora Sports Bar and Lounge. Diaspora is planned for the former Company Brewing space, 735 E. Center St., in the city’s Riverwest neighborhood.
A public entertainment license—covering things like live music, DJs, and pool tables—was temporarily held. The committee explained that if Diaspora could demonstrate its ability to host things like live music by applying for permits on an event-by-event basis, it could re-apply for a full public entertainment license at a later date.
All license applications are subject to final approval by the full Common Council. The next Common Council meeting is scheduled for February 10.
Representing Diaspora at Tuesday’s meeting were owners Mike Johnson, Brian Bradford, Roberthenry Davis, and Marvin Bailey. It was the group’s second time before the committee. Earlier in January, the committee held Diaspora’s applications due to the involvement of another owner, Philyus Pullium. Pullium is an employee of the Milwaukee Police Department, and questions were raised about the legality of an active police officer holding a tavern license. Pullium has since removed himself from the ownership group.
Another issue discussed in the previous meeting and again on Tuesday was Bailey. Bailey is a former co-owner of Flame 13 restaurant and lounge, 2230 N. King Dr. In September 2025, the Licenses Committee shut down Flame 13 for a full year, citing a mass brawl that occurred during an influencer event the previous July.
“Moving forward, I just want to have a great place for adults to come, and have a great time with a great group of men whom I have known just about most of my life,” Bailey said at the previous meeting.
Two neighbors, Chris and Jenny Olson, spoke out in objection to Diaspora’s plans on Tuesday. Other objections, in letter and email form, were also mentioned.
“My objection is not for a business opening in this location, but this specific operator,” Chris Olson said. “I urge the community to look at the sworn testimony and neighbors of Mr. Bailey’s previous establishment, Flame 13. […] Neighbors testified that the applicant spun a beautiful tale about a restaurant that never happened. Mr. Bailey himself admitted under oath that he promised an upscale restaurant but pivoted to a nightclub to pay the bills when the food concept failed. I see the same risk with the Diaspora business plan. While they pitch a sports bar, the document explicitly lists nightclub events, security teams, and late-night operation. I do not want to see a pivot to a nightclub next to my home just because the sports bar concept failed.”
Longtime Riverwest community activist Ruth Weill, meanwhile, spoke out in favor of Diaspora. Weill noted the ownership group had attended several neighborhood meetings and had met with individual members of the neighborhood.
“I’ve been meeting with them since September, and we talked about a lot of different things,” Weill said. “We talked to them for over two hours, and we grilled them, and we talked about Flame 13 a lot. I was satisfied with Marvin’s answers. He accepted the responsibility of the mistakes and he took accountability. I’ve seen other businesses do similar terrible things and still get licenses. I’ve been going to these meetings for close to 20 years. I do believe in second chances.”
Weill continued: “[Center Street] is a commercial corridor, and I do think they are trying to be responsive and accommodating. This is a learning curve for anyone in the Riverwest neighborhood, because we can be a lot sometimes. I do think they deserve our support.”
Though not a member of the Licenses Committee, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs also spoke at Tuesday’s meeting. She mentioned another neighborhood meeting with Diaspora’s ownership group and members of the community. Alderman Alex Brower was also in attendance at that meeting. (Riverwest is split between the districts represented by Coggs and Brower.)
“It was one of my most-attended neighborhood meetings,” Coggs said. “I’m grateful that they attended and asked very good questions. Some I’ve never heard at a licensing meeting, but it’s just kind of a sign of the times. ‘What would you do if ICE came?’ ‘How would you welcome the LGBTQ community?’ That kind of thing.”
Coggs continued: “I understand the concerns on all sides. I share some of the concerns on all sides. But I also, in all fairness, do believe in second chances, and I do believe that this is a different ownership group than what was at the other location.”
Echoing Coggs’ comments was committee member Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr.
“Please, please, please, be proactive,” Chambers said to Diaspora’s ownership group, and Bailey specifically. “Know that they continue to bring up your history. With Flame 13, I see things a little differently. I think you just had a bad partner. But still, you are responsible for who you get in partnership with. I think that you are in a good space. I hope that the residents give you a chance and not try to call the police for the slightest things every day.”
As he did in the earlier meeting, Davis described Diaspora as a sports lounge and restaurant with “lots of TVs for sporting events.” Cigar sales are also part of the business plan. The venue’s outdoor patio would be used for events during the summer, though any music would be cut off at 10 p.m.
During Tuesday’s meeting, when it was revealed that Diaspora’s proposed plans to serve breakfast were still in the works, the business’ proposed opening hours of 6 a.m. were adjusted to 9 a.m.
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