Nevada: PKWY Tavern at upcoming Reno City Center complex secures gaming license

Las Vegas-based Fine Entertainment will add gaming to its PKWY Tavern project inside Reno City Center, a work-live-play complex with residential, office and retail space to open later this year in the former Harrah's hotel-casino in Reno.

The Nevada Gaming Commission approved a non-restricted gaming license for the tavern, enabling the firm to add slot machines at the site. The company is also looking to get approval for its alcohol and gaming license from the Reno City Council. 

Jonathan Fine, co-founder of Fine Entertainment, noted that the gaming license will allow Fine Entertainment to provide PKWY Tavern and its associated properties at Reno City Center, including the BLVD Grill and Mint Bar, "a fuller experience."

The site will also house a bowling alley and other activities for customers, just like Fine Entertainment has in its Vegas location. However, according to Fine, there will be additional offerings at the Reno property. 

Reno Gazette-Journal spoke with Fine, who said: “We want a more experiential bar like what you see in Nashville or Austin or parts of Atlanta and Dallas. There are areas where we’ve taken bits and pieces that are fun, whether it be the craft beers or the games. So what we’re doing in Reno is that times 10.”

As per the report, PKWY Tavern will have 197 gaming machines and 105 televisions for 24/7 sports viewing during its first phase. Additionally, the bowling alley has been procured and kitchen equipment is on site ready to be installed.

“We’ve already hired a general manager, a restaurant manager, and a casino manager — we’re going to have about 250 people,” Fine said. “We’re excited.”

Fine Entertainment’s three projects at Reno City Center are planned to open later this year. An initial opening date was set for June, but Fine noted structural issues in the building led to a delay in the timeline.

According to Fine, parts of the building's structure had to be replaced and rebuilt as an old wood frame was unable to support the Mint Bar. The properties are now likely to open around October. 

“We’re contemplating getting the PKWY Tavern ready, which can be done in a week, for football season then doing a rolling open. But we haven’t had good luck doing that in the past so we’re thinking of waiting until everything is ready to go, which will probably be the end of September or October," he said.