Guide to House Music in San Diego
House music in San Diego is an integral part of the music culture here and in the state of California. From big festivals to intimate venues, this article is your guide for everything you need to know regarding house music in San Diego.
House and techno genres are growing every day. However, finding places that showcase the genres isn’t always as easy. This article is aimed at bridging this gap.
While many touring acts come through San Diego, this article will give light to the smaller more localized scene as well as the larger acts. Who knows, the next big act could be playing this weekend!
Camino Riviera
With its iconic Tulum-inspired decor, Camino Riviera is arguably one of the best places to see house music in San Diego is Camino Riviera located in vibrant Little Italy. Enjoy afro/Latin-inspired four-on-the-floor beats here Thursday through Sunday curated by Musicis4Lovers and produced by their event company Lovelife Party. Find more information on their social media @musicis4lovers and @lovelife_party_
Bang Bang
Asian fusion during the day and, a top-tier nightclub at night Bang Bang is a premier spot to see house music in downtown San Diego. With local support and touring acts, Bang Bang’s roster and events don’t disappoint. Housing the biggest disco ball on the West Coast, their high-dollar production makes for an excellent experience. Check out their social media @bangbangsd for more information.
Firehouse
One of San Diego’s well-known bars located right in the heart of Pacific Beach, Firehouse has house DJs Thursday through Sunday. With the main floor on its signature rooftop, Firehouse attracts local talent and global touring acts on occasion. Booked every Sunday by the popular San Diego-based label Musicis4lovers, you’ll enjoy curated beats for your Sunday Funday. Check out their social media for more information.
The Office Bar
Depending on who you ask, Office Bar has been around since 1983. Going through multiple names and a couple of renovations, it’s been one of San Diego’s most popular cocktail bars for quite some time. They’re well known for their house music on Wednesdays, where the popular house label Dance Klassique showcases local and resident talent. Find more information on their social media @theofficebarsd and @danceklassique.
Sandbox
Known for three things: the Patriots, pizza, and house music Sandbox is one of Pacific Beach’s popular house venues. Supporting college DJs on Thursdays and general local talent on the other days– Sandbox is supported by Happening Times, another San Diego-based house collective. Find more information @happeningtimes and @sandboxsd.
The Air Conditioned Lounge
The Air Conditioned Lounge in San Diego is a vibrant spot for house music enthusiasts. Known for its cool, laid-back vibe, it’s a haven for those who appreciate the deeper, more soulful side of house music. With a focus on providing a quality audio experience, the lounge features local and guest DJs who bring a mix of classic and contemporary house beats. It’s the perfect place for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the rich sounds and culture of house music in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Find more information on their social media @aclounge.
PB Avenue
With a club-like atmosphere upon entering, PB Avenue is a premiere venue to see some great local artists. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, PB Avenue has its karaoke night on Mondays and house and techno Thursday through Sunday. Low ceilings, good drinks, and great lighting make for an amazing atmosphere. Check out their social media @avenuepb for more information.
Beach House
Boasting the biggest names that come to San Diego, Beach House is located right on Mission Beach. Serving up some great Mexican cuisine and drinks in tandem with their unmatched outdoor beach stage attracts some of the biggest house and techno names coming through San Diego. Produced and booked by San Diego’s FNGRS CRSSD, San Diego’s largest EDM promotion company. For more information visit their social media @beachhousesd & @fngrscrssd.
Bloom Nightclub
Moving into the exclusive clubby-like space Bloom is one of San Diego’s biggest underground clubs. Bloom’s roster isn’t exclusive to house music, rather it encompasses all genres of EDM, mainly genres in and around bass music. So, while you won’t expect house music every week, they’re also booking large touring acts on occasion. Check out their social media @bloomtsd for more information.
Nova Nightclub
Downtown San Diego’s other nightclub is Nova. Like Bloom, Nova books a wide range of EDM but is more exclusive to subgenres of house and techno. Nova is operated by Insomniac Events, a massive American EDM promotion, distribution, and production company. You can expect excellent production quality and a great dancing environment at Nova. For more information, check out their social media @novasdclub.
About the author: Ian Schutt is an Arts and Culture writer at LaJolla.com. You can usually find him immersed in something related to music or sharing a laugh with a friend. A Kansas City native, Ian recently made the move from his Alma-mater town of Fort Collins to San Diego.
Media Credit: Adobe Stock
