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!
Wednesday, December 17 – Julz & Nikks (San Diego)
Wednesday kicks off with a double dose of homegrown talent as DJ Julz and DJ Nikks ignite the mid-week party. These hometown heroes have been lighting up SoCal – from trendy rooftop lounges to all-out day festivals – proving why San Diego’s local scene is on fire. Both Julz and Nikks recently flexed their skills at the popular R&B and Ribs party downtown, showing they know precisely how to get their city moving. DJ Julz is an open-format phenom known for seamless mixes that hop from hip-hop and R&B to throwback anthems and house bangers – whatever keeps the energy peaking. His high-voltage recap videos and mixtape snippets rack up views on social media, demonstrating that his charisma in the DJ booth connects far beyond the club. DJ Nikks, meanwhile, brings her own flavor as one of SD’s rising stars. She’s all about smooth R&B vibes, nostalgic throwbacks, and creative mashups that get the whole room singing along. With roots in the Philippines and a fearless, fun-loving presence behind the decks, Nikks infuses every set with infectious charisma. Together, Julz & Nikks form a dynamic duo that feeds off each other’s energy and reads the crowd’s pulse. Expect them to drop a flow of crowd favorites and surprise remixes in tandem, instantly elevating SideBar’s dance floor. Wednesday night has never looked so luxe and lively – consider this your ultimate mid-week party fix.
Thursday, December 18 – SH8K & Craig Smoove (B2B Headliner) + Lito + Bender Barbie
House Party Thursday turns up the heat with a stacked lineup led by a special back-to-back headliner set from SH8K and Craig Smoove, supported by local talents Lito and Bender Barbie. Los Angeles–born but San Diego–based, SH8K has built a reputation as one of the West Coast’s most buzzed-about remix masters. His bootleg edits and remixes are so well-crafted that they’ve been played in nightclubs and on the radio internationally. SH8K has lit up venues from Chicago to Dallas and beyond, often sharing stages with hip-hop heavyweights like YG, 2 Chainz, and Migos. Recently signed to DJcity (the industry’s top DJ record pool), he’s cemented his status as an elite DJ/producer with an ever-expanding horizon. As co-host of TheFlip on Pitbull’s Globalization Radio, SH8K also scouts new music trends and talent every week – so you know his set will be cutting-edge. Expect SH8K to bring an edgy electronic flair layered over an open-format base. One minute he’ll drop a booming bass-heavy trap remix; the next he’ll throw in a nostalgic throwback or a Latin-tinged banger that takes the crowd by surprise. His passion for genre-blending and turntable finesse will keep the Thursday crowd hyped in SideBar’s chic confines.
Sharing the headliner spotlight, Craig Smoove brings over 15 years of coast-to-coast DJ experience to the booth. A Boston-bred open-format maestro turned San Diego nightlife fixture, Craig has literally played every major venue in SD, including Omnia, Parq, Fluxx, Oxford Social Club, and SideBar. His versatile style and upbeat, interactive approach have enticed crowds from Vegas to NYC and everywhere in between. Craig seamlessly flips from Top 40 to hip-hop to house to EDM, tailoring his set to the room’s vibe, making him a true crowd whisperer. This versatility has landed him gigs alongside huge artists spanning genres – from Lil Jon and Diplo to Tyga and Kygo. When Craig Smoove is on deck, you can expect the DJ booth and dance floor to be packed with energy. His crowd-reading chops and polished mixes will perfectly complement SH8K’s, ensuring this B2B (back-to-back) set is pure fireworks. Together, SH8K and Craig promise a genre-blending thrill ride that epitomizes SideBar’s high-energy yet upscale vibe.
Opening the night, Lito sets the tone and warms up the room. A rising local talent, Lito knows how to get a party started right – you’ll hear him dropping everything from feel-good hip-hop and R&B jams to Latin-flavored club hits to get the early crowd moving. His smooth transitions and upbeat track selection make him a perfect opener for the House Party Thursday theme. Following up, Bender Barbie brings a playful, edgy twist to the lineup. Dubbed “the life of the party,” Bender Barbie is an emerging San Diego DJ who’s all about fun and high-energy house beats. What started as her personal “bender” summer persona has evolved into a full-blown party brand, and now she channels that same off-the-charts energy into her DJ sets. Don’t be fooled by the whimsical name – Bender Barbie delivers serious house and dance floor heat, mixing chunky basslines with upbeat party anthems. She’s been popping up at local house music events and even themed parties like Shipwrecks and Bang SD House Thursdays, leaving a trail of pumped-up crowds wherever she goes. By the time Bender Barbie is done and the headliners take over, SideBar will be absolutely buzzing. House Party Thursday at SideBar is all about big local flavor and an upscale party vibe, and this lineup guarantees just that.
Friday, December 19 – Ethan Dreams (San Francisco)
By Friday, the weekend is in full swing – and Ethan Dreams is set to make it unforgettable. Hailing from the Bay Area, Ethan earned his slot at SideBar by winning the club’s 2024 DJ battle competition. In the year since, he’s blown up as an on-air DJ for San Francisco’s 99.7 NOW radio and even took home the crown as the 2025 RANE DJ Rumble champion. In other words, this guy has serious skills and showmanship. Ethan’s style is open-format with an urban twist, honed in the hip-hop hotbed of the Bay. One minute, he might drop a Bay Area hip-hop classic that gets everyone grooving, and the next, he’ll slam into an electro-house banger that sends the energy through the roof – all mixed with veteran-level finesse. After making waves in San Francisco’s club circuit and proving his chops on the battle stage, Ethan Dreams is ready to ignite the Gaslamp District on Friday night. His set will be fast-paced and unpredictable, weaving together anthemic bops, clever mashups, and some turntable trickery for the real music heads. Expect Ethan to sync perfectly with SideBar’s high-energy, luxury aesthetic. With his momentum from recent battle wins and radio mixes, he’ll have SideBar’s crowd in a frenzy – hands up, heads nodding, and feet moving nonstop. Friday night at SideBar with Ethan Dreams is where upscale meets adrenaline, and you won’t want to miss a second of it.
Saturday, December 20 – Dynamiq (San Diego)
Closing out the week, DJ Dynamiq storms into SideBar for a Saturday night grand finale that promises to be absolutely explosive. A San Diego native and internationally acclaimed open-format DJ, Dynamiq is widely known as “El Rey del West” – The King of the West – for his dominance of the West Coast Latin club scene. This hometown icon has done it all: he’s lit up stadiums and arenas, hyping up NFL crowds as a team DJ and touring with reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny on arena shows. He’s also a member of the elite Heavy Hitters DJ crew and was voted 2024’s West Coast DJ of the Year. In other words, Dynamiq’s reputation is gold, and he’s precisely the kind of heavy hitter to take SideBar’s party to the next level. His specialty? Crafting Latin-infused open-format sets that seamlessly flip from reggaeton and Latin trap to hip-hop bangers and festival-sized EDM drops. One minute you’re grinding to a Bad Bunny or J Balvin track, the next you’re jumping in unison to a massive electro-house anthem – and it all flows together naturally in Dynamiq’s hands. He’s a master at reading the room and infusing every mix with barrio beats flavor and West Coast swagger, giving even the most upscale venue that authentic party grit. When DJ Dynamiq takes over SideBar’s state-of-the-art sound system, expect the club to transform into a sizzling urban paradise. Latin drums will shake the walls, the crowd will be singing along in Spanish and English, and the energy will be through the roof. It’s the ultimate finale for the week – a little luxe, a little loco, and 100% SideBar style. Don’t be surprised if people are still dancing when the lights come on at 2 AM. Dynamiq will make sure Saturday night ends on the highest note possible, wrapping up the week’s lineup with a bang.
SideBar’s Signature Vibe: This December lineup perfectly captures what makes SideBar legendary: a blend of luxury and edge that creates an absolutely electric nightlife experience. Each night offers its own flavor – from Julz & Nikks’ local pride, to SH8K & Craig’s dynamic mashups, Ethan’s turntablist flair, and Dynamiq’s Latin-drenched bangers – yet every event guarantees the same result: a packed dance floor and an unforgettable party. SideBar is an intimate boutique nightclub that punches far above its weight, combining plush VIP lounge glamour with high-octane club energy. The crowd here is as fashionable as they come, yet totally ready to let loose. If you’re in San Diego Dec 17–20, this is the place to be. Grab your crew, get on the guest list (it’s free before 10 PM!), and dress to impress – because SideBar is about to deliver four nights of nonstop music, dancing, and luxe good times. Don’t wait until you see the epic recap videos on Instagram to wish you were there. Live it in person and be part of the scene at SideBar’s weekly DJ showcase!
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, a 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.