Enjoy premier talent and VIP bottle service at San Diego’s hottest nightclub! The guest list is free before 10 PM, so secure your spot now and prepare for a memorable night! Each event blends SideBar’s signature mix of luxury and edge: think plush lounges and popping champagne meets a packed dance floor and high-voltage beats. Mark your calendars for Jan 1–3, because DJ Kaos, DJ Crooked, Julz, and more are about to set SideBar on fire to start the new year right.
Thursday, Jan 1 – DJ Kaos, ALX CRTZ, Mixtape Massey & DJ Danny (New Year’s Day Morning Party)
New Year’s Day at SideBar begins bright and early with a morning-after marathon featuring four of San Diego’s finest behind the decks. Leading the charge is DJ Kaos, a hometown legend turned West Coast powerhouse known for his anything-goes open-format style. With 15+ years in the game, Kaos seamlessly flips between EDM bangers, hip-hop anthems, Latin beats, and throwback jams – whatever keeps the energy at its peak. His résumé spans from wild Vegas pool parties and luxury yacht events to global club stages, and he’s been voted San Diego’s Best Open-Format DJ. Off the decks, Kaos hosts a weekly show on Pitbull’s SiriusXM channel and was even hand-picked to DJ on Pitbull’s 2021 arena tour – so you can bet he’s bringing superstar pedigree to SideBar’s intimate dance floor. Expect Kaos to drop explosive remixes and crowd-favorite bootlegs that will have the morning party raging like it’s midnight.
Backing him up is a stacked lineup of local talent. ALX CRTZ (aka Alex Cortez) brings fearless versatility and a fiery reggaeton flair to the mix. As the founder of San Diego’s popular ¡Pon Más Reggaeton! Party series, ALX CRTZ knows how to infuse Latin rhythms into a club set, igniting the crowd with a salsa-meets-trap twist. He’s rocked residencies from Chicago to SoCal, blending Midwest and West Coast influences into an open-format whirlwind – one minute you’re singing along to a pop throwback, the next you’re grinding to a tropical bass drop. Mixtape Massey, a proud Navy veteran turned DJ, will be setting the early vibes with his old-meets-new style. He’s a self-professed fan of funk, soul, house, reggaeton, 2000s hip-hop, R&B, and more – and it shows in his sets. Mixtape Massey loves to give you a nostalgic sing-along moment (think an early 2000s hit or a classic funk groove), then surprise you with a fresh remix that elevates the energy. His up-tempo, passionate energy behind the decks is infectious, guaranteeing the dance floor stays warm and welcoming as the morning kicks into gear. Rounding out the lineup is DJ Danny, one of SideBar’s rising stars, who will add his own fresh spin to this New Year’s Day throwdown. DJ Danny has been rapidly making a name in the SoCal scene – he recently lit up the stage at San Diego’s Into The Horizon festival alongside acts like Sofi Tukker and Gryffin, and he’s a social media sensation with tens of thousands of followers watching his high-energy DJ clips. With his knack for blending chart-topping hits, upbeat house rhythms, and fan-favorite throwbacks, DJ Danny ties together the morning party with youthful energy and an open-format finesse beyond his years. Together, this quartet of Kaos, ALX CRTZ, Mixtape Massey, and DJ Danny will transform New Year’s morning into a high-octane afterparty. Who needs sleep when the music is this good? Grab a mimosa (or another champagne toast) and join the San Diego die-hards on the dance floor – the 2026 party is just getting started!
Thursday, Jan 1 – DJ Danny (New Year’s Night Party)
After a brief intermission to catch our breath, SideBar is back at it on Thursday night with DJ Danny headlining the New Year’s Night festivities. That’s right – after energizing the morning crowd, DJ Danny returns for round two to prove why he’s one of the city’s most in-demand young DJs. This San Diego native knows how to command a prime-time crowd with genre-blending style. His recent original track “Running Thru My Mind” has been buzzing online, and he’s mastered the art of the viral DJ video, racking up views as he hypes up clubs on TikTok. When DJ Danny steps into SideBar’s sleek booth, he turns the venue into his personal playground. You’ll hear him effortlessly weave between Top 40 sing-alongs, addictive house beats, and nostalgic throwback jams, keeping everyone on their feet. One minute you might be belting out a chorus from a ’90s R&B classic, and the next you’re jumping to a bass-thumping EDM drop. His dynamic presence and genuine love for the craft shine through in every transition. Known for reading the room and elevating the vibe, DJ Danny has a talent for making a Thursday night feel like Saturday at peak hour. And rumor has it he’s bringing a surprise guest DJ along for the ride (stay tuned!) – meaning even more unexpected thrills on the turntables. From the first track to last call, DJ Danny will have SideBar’s dance floor buzzing. If you’re looking to keep the New Year’s adrenaline pumping, this is the night to do it. Dress to impress, rally your crew, and let DJ Danny kick off your 2026 with an edgy, high-voltage set you won’t forget.
Friday, Jan 2 – DJ Crooked (Las Vegas)
By Friday, the New Year celebrations are in full swing, and SideBar ups the ante with a headline set from DJ Crooked. Flying in from Las Vegas, DJ Crooked will transform SideBar into a slice of the Strip for one epic night. A veteran of Vegas nightlife, Crooked’s name is synonymous with top-tier open-format DJing. He’s held residencies at mega-clubs like XS, Hakkasan, Omnia, Tao, and more – basically a roll call of nightlife’s elite venues. Before conquering Vegas, Crooked cut his teeth in the high-energy New York club scene, giving him a deep bag of tricks and an uncanny ability to work any crowd. What sets DJ Crooked apart is his electrifying performance style and instinct for crowd hype. He’s as much an MC as a DJ, known to grab the mic and fuel the party with shout-outs and infectious energy. Musically, Crooked keeps you guessing in the best way possible. One moment he’s dropping the latest hip-hop or EDM banger, and the next he’s seamlessly sliding into an unexpected throwback or a custom remix that blows the roof off the place. As a member of the renowned Skam Artist roster and host of a popular DJ podcast, Crooked lives and breathes the craft – and it shows. When he hits SideBar’s booth, expect a Vegas-level spectacle in an intimate San Diego setting. The club’s LED walls will pulse to his beat, the confetti cannons (yes, there might be confetti) will be primed, and the dance floor will be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with San Diego’s nightlife elite. Friday night with DJ Crooked promises an over-the-top, only-at-SideBar experience that will have everyone talking. If you’ve ever wondered what a Vegas night feels like without leaving the Gaslamp, this is your chance – DJ Crooked is here to bring the desert heat to our downtown playground.
Saturday, Jan 3 – DJ Julz (San Diego)
Closing out the week, SideBar keeps the momentum rolling on Saturday with DJ Julz, one of San Diego’s favorite open-format phenoms. A true hometown hero, DJ Julz has built a reputation for lighting up dance floors across the city – from chilled-out rooftop lounges to the wildest club nights. Now he’s returning to SideBar to show precisely why the local scene is on fire. Julz’s style is all about versatility and spontaneity. He’ll hop between hip-hop, R&B, throwback classics, and house grooves at a moment’s notice, keeping the crowd on its toes and the energy unpredictable. His recent sets around town have been praised as “masterclasses in versatility.” If you follow him on social media, you’ve probably seen his behind-the-booth videos capturing the pure hype he brings – big smiles, bigger drops, and a crowd that can’t get enough. When Julz is spinning, every track is a new surprise and every transition is a thrill. One minute you’re swaying to a sexy R&B slow jam, and the next you’re bouncing to a festival-ready house anthem or singing along to a nostalgic pop hit. It’s a musical rollercoaster that somehow makes perfect sense in the moment – that’s Julz’s magic. And it’s not just about the music; Julz’s charisma behind the decks radiates into the crowd. He’s got that rare ability to connect with the room, whether it’s a handful of VIPs in the lounge or a shoulder-to-shoulder Saturday night mob. At SideBar, you can expect him to bring all his local pride and talent to the forefront, turning the club into a high-energy playground where San Diego’s spirit shines. This Saturday finale will be the cherry on top of an incredible week – a night of hometown heat and lavish vibes, where Julz proves once again that nobody does it like San Diego’s own. If you’re ready to dance until you drop and make some first-week-of-2026 memories, DJ Julz is here to deliver.
SideBar’s New Year Vibe – Luxury Meets Energy: From the crack-of-dawn revelry of New Year’s Day to the peak-hour weekend blowouts, SideBar San Diego is delivering an unbeatable start to 2026. What makes SideBar legendary isn’t just the talent – it’s the experience. The moment you step inside, you’re immersed in a world where luxury meets edgy nightlife. Imagine sinking into a plush leather booth with bottle service at your fingertips, all while a high-voltage light show ignites the dance floor in front of you. The décor is chic, and Instagrammable (think glitzy chandeliers, neon art, and velvet ropes), yet the atmosphere is anything but stuck-up – it’s a wild, inclusive party where locals, influencers, and visitors all vibe together under the music. Each night this week offers a unique flavor – Kaos and friends bringing marathon New Year’s madness, Crooked delivering Vegas-style thrills, Julz repping San Diego’s finest – but every event shares that SideBar DNA of style, energy, and a touch of the unexpected. So grab your friends, dress in your flyest New Year’s outfits, and get ready to pop bottles and bust moves. SideBar’s DJ lineup is here to prove that the first week of January might be the best week of January. With the hype already building and tables filling up, don’t sleep on these parties – this is the ultimate nightlife kickoff you won’t want to miss.
Elevate Your Night – VIP Access & Experiences
- At SideBar, we’re all about luxurious experiences. From skipping the line to bottle service in your own private booth, here’s how to upgrade your night:
- Guestlist & Tickets: Get free entry before 10 PM with a Guestlist RSVP. After 10 PM, admission is $20 for general admission or $30 for VIP skip-the-line access.
- Reserve Tables: Party in style with our VIP Bottle Services, featuring premium liquor, mixers, private booth, and dedicated service.
- Private Events: Book the entire venue (4,000 sq. ft. + outdoor patio) for up to 350 guests. With LED screens, a top-tier DJ booth, and full-service options, we’ll bring your event vision to life.