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! Side Bar, the Gaslamp Quarter’s luxury boutique nightclub known for its glamorous yet edgy vibes, is kicking off 2026 with an electrifying DJ lineup. This mid-January week blends a little mystery with big-name talent, guaranteeing upscale ambiance and high-voltage energy every night. Here’s a preview of the DJs set to light up Side Bar’s dance floor.
Wednesday, Jan 14 – TBD (Industry Night)
Side Bar’s Industry Wednesday launches the week with an air of intrigue. The Jan 14 headliner is still TBD, which means anything can happen. Side Bar is known for pulling in surprise talent, so this mystery headliner is sure to be worth the wait. Will it be a big-name artist fresh off a festival tour, or perhaps a local prodigy making waves in the San Diego scene? Only time will tell – and that anticipation is half the fun. One thing’s certain: the music and energy won’t be any less epic. Side Bar’s resident DJs are masters at keeping the dance floor packed till dawn, so the party will rage on regardless of who’s on the decks. The vibe will be upscale, unpredictable, and absolutely electric. Our advice: grab your crew and come through, because Wednesday night at Side Bar will feel like a weekend-worthy outing in the middle of the week. Keep an eye on Side Bar’s Instagram for the big reveal, and get ready to be part of a spontaneous mid-week blowout that could become the stuff of local legend.
Thursday, Jan 15 – TBD (Special Guest)
Who’s playing Thursday? That exciting mystery remains under wraps, adding extra buzz to Jan 15. Side Bar loves a little intrigue, especially on a Thursdate, and has a reputation for hosting internationally known guest DJs on surprise nights. This “secret” Thursday act could be a world-famous DJ jetting in for one night, or a hot up-and-comer primed to make a splash – either way, expect serious heat on the dance floor. Side Bar’s ambiance alone – immersive lighting, booming sound, and luxe décor – will make it a night to remember. And if a special guest takes over, you can bet the excitement will amplify. The beauty of an unannounced lineup is that anything can happen. It might become an in-the-moment experience that party-goers will talk about for weeks. Our tip: show up early, enjoy a craft cocktail in the swanky lounge, and be ready for whatever music magic unfolds. Whether it’s a surprise celebrity DJ or one of Side Bar’s own talented residents throwing down, Thursday at Side Bar promises the same luxury-meets-wild vibe the club is famous for. Stay tuned to Side Bar’s social channels for a last-minute announcement, but don’t wait to make plans – sometimes the most legendary nights are the ones you never see coming.
Friday, Jan 16 – Rick Wonder
By Friday, the weekend is in full swing – and Rick Wonder is poised to take Side Bar to the next level. Rick Wonder is a Brooklyn-based DJ/producer who’s been a staple of New York City nightlife for over a decade. The NYC native holds coveted residencies at top clubs like Marquee and Nebula in Manhattan, and even maintains national residencies from Atlantic City’s HQ2 Beachclub to hotspots in Boston, Chicago, and beyond. In other words, he’s a heavy-hitter on the club circuit coast-to-coast. Rick’s unique style is famously high-energy and “in your face, blurring the lines between big-room EDM anthems and raw underground house and tech-house grooves. One minute he’ll drop a tasteful commercial EDM banger, the next he’s weaving in a gritty tech-house beat – creating an eclectic journey that hooks mainstream fans and underground enthusiasts alike.
Rick Wonder’s hustle and pedigree are just as impressive as his sound. He’s headlined his own national tours and been direct support for superstar DJs like Tiesto, Steve Aoki, and Two Friends, among others. In fact, some of the biggest names in the industry regularly drop Rick’s edits and remixes in their sets – his productions have earned support from heavyweights such as Diplo, The Chainsmokers, Dombresky, and Tiesto himself. Talk about a stamp of approval! Fresh off a whirlwind run of gigs from New York to Atlantic City and beyond, Rick is ready to bring that bicoastal flavor to San Diego. When he hits Side Bar’s booth on Jan 16, expect a pulse-pounding open-format set that marries East Coast big-room polish with a West Coast underground edge. He might throw down a mashup of a top-40 vocal over a tech-house drop, or surprise the crowd with a classic throwback turned festival remix – all delivered with the confidence of a seasoned showman. Friday night at Side Bar will feel like a VIP night in NYC collided with San Diego’s laid-back glamour. Get ready for hands-in-the-air drops, seamless genre-hopping, and an infectious energy that doesn’t let up. Rick Wonder knows how to read a room and ignite a crowd, so prepare to dance until you lose track of time. This is the kind of headliner that defines a night out – don’t miss it.
Saturday, Jan 17 – DJ Kaos
Closing out the weekend in style, Side Bar serves up a hometown hero on Saturday: DJ Kaos. A San Diego native turned West Coast powerhouse, Kaos has been igniting SoCal dance floors for over 15 years with his high-energy, anything-goes style. He’s an open-format phenom renowned for seamlessly blending hip-hop, EDM, Latin, and throwback hits into one non-stop frenzy. In fact, Kaos’s inimitable talent and creative bootleg remixes earned him the title of San Diego’s “Best Open-Format DJ” back in 2018 – a testament to how beloved he is in the local scene. However, his reputation extends beyond his hometown. Kaos has held court at elite venues such as downtown SD’s Oxford Social Club and has even played to massive crowds at hotspots like Prysm in Chicago and at lavish Las Vegas pool parties. He’s taken his sound global, spinning sets from Asia to Vegas and even at exclusive luxury yacht parties. Along the way, he’s DJed celebrity-packed events (he’s been the party maestro for bashes hosted by Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner) and shared stages with world-famous artists like Disclosure and Jason Derulo. Few DJs can match the pedigree and showmanship that Kaos brings to the turntables.
Despite all the star-studded accolades, DJ Kaos never forgets his San Diego roots. When he steps into Side Bar’s booth on Jan 17, he’s returning to rock the crowd that knows him best. Expect an absolute masterclass in crowd energy – Kaos will drop everything from Top 40 mashups and hip-hop anthems to edgy house beats, all with razor-sharp mixing and turntablist flair. One moment you might be singing along to an old-school throwback; the next you’re losing it to a bass-thumping electro drop. His sets are all about momentum and surprise, keeping the upscale Side Bar crowd bouncing and guessing what’s next. And as if his live club resume weren’t enough, Kaos also reaches thousands of fans beyond the club: he hosts a weekly show called Sunburn Radio on Pitbull’s Globalization channel on SiriusXM, broadcasting San Diego party vibes to millions of listeners nationwide. He even toured with Pitbull as an official tour DJ in 2021, playing sold-out arenas alongside the international superstar – proof that Kaos can command a stage of any size. In other words, DJ Kaos is a legend in the making with both local loyalty and nationwide acclaim.
Saturday at Side Bar will be a grand finale of floor-shaking beats and local pride. As Kaos unleashes his signature mix of genres, the club will transform into an all-out celebration of San Diego nightlife. Picture confetti falling, VIP bottles popping, and the entire dance floor united in a frenzy. It’s the perfect climax to an unforgettable week – and a chance to see one of San Diego’s finest do what he does best on his home turf. Don’t be surprised if this night goes down in Side Bar history.
Side Bar is starting the new year strong with this mid-January lineup. From the mid-week mystery sets to the show-stopping weekend headliners, each night embodies Side Bar’s signature mix of luxury and edge. Whether you’re a local ready to party in style or a visitor seeking the city’s hottest nightlife, Side Bar has you covered. Grab your squad, RSVP for the guest list, and get ready to dance – 2026 at Side Bar San Diego is just getting started, and you’ll want to be there for every electrifying moment.
Elevate Your Night – VIP Access & Experiences
- At Side Bar, 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.