The Top 7 Venues in San Diego for EDM

San Diego is quickly becoming the new hotspot for all things EDM. With big house and techno scenes and an up-and-coming bass community, you can find almost any genre for music lovers.

Nightclub culture is also big in San Diego: from Downtown to Pacific Beach and Hillcrest, nightclubs are everywhere. Promoters like Insomniac, LED Presents, and FNGRS CRSSD consistently host big and small artists shows. But with so many different venues, it can be hard to find the best spot for EDM in San Diego. Here are seven of the most prominent dance venues in San Diego.

 Nova

Image provided by NOVA SD

Opened in 2022, Nova is San Diego’s newest nightclub and has already hosted some of the biggest names in the industry. The venue opened after Insomniac bought Omnia, San Diego, a part of the Tao group best known for its Las Vegas clubs. Nova is located right in the heart of the lively Gaslamp district, welcoming major headliners.

Past major events: Tiesto, Illenium, Deorro, Valentino Khan, Oliver Heldens. 

Upcoming events: Matroda- Friday, May 13 & Ghastly Haunted Haus Tour- Friday, May 27

Bloom

Image provided Bloom DTSD

Another new downtown club, Bloom also opened in 2022. This location used to be Bassmnt but was rebranded as Bloom post-pandemic. A smaller and more affordable venue than Nova, Bloom is a good place to catch mid-tier artists.

Past major events: Bijou, Hannah Wants, and Snakehips.

Upcoming events: Jack Beats- Saturday, June 6 & Jonas Blue- Saturday, May 14

Spin

Image provided by Spin 

Spin Nightclub is a San Diego staple known for its underground warehouse feel. Well-known and nascent artists in house, techno, disco and even trance perform here on a regular basis with many future stars first wetting their feet in the main room. SD Union, a drum and bass promoter, also hosts DnB events once a month, making Spin a favorite for this writer. Spin has hosted huge names for the CRSSD Festival after parties such as Walker & Royce, Adam Beyer, and Nina Kraviz. EDM Maniac also frequently produces events with Spin, so be on the lookout for those in the future.

Past major events: Madeon, Gorgon City, and Chris Lake 

Upcoming events: Cloonee- Friday, May 13 & Loco Dice and Harvard Bass- Friday, May 27 

Rich’s

Image from Rich’s San Diego 

Rich’s is located in the LGBTQIA+ friendly area of Hillcrest. They host CRSSD Festival after parties and occasional techno nights. You can catch drag queens there on a regular basis lip synching to 90’s throwback and power ballads.

Past major events: Felix Da Housecat, Solardo and Absolute.

Upcoming events: Baby Weight- Thursday, May 19

Soma

Image provided by Soma San Diego

Soma is an intimate punk rock venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in bass. With a grungey, underground feel, the venue has a back room for flow artists and ADA accommodation that is uncommon at many small indoor venues.

Past major events: Subtronics and Liquid Stranger.

Upcoming events: Sofi Tukker- Monday, June 20 & King Princess- Monday, July 18

Beach House Grill and Boardwalk

Image provided by Beach House Grill and Boardwalk 

Located right on Mission Beach Boardwalk, Beach House hosts day events with longer sets and major artists. The Palms Beach Club is the series of outdoor EDM events held at Beach House during the summer season featuring beautiful waterfront sunsets. The venue commonly host FNGRS CRSSD promoted events, which means the lineup is always stacked.

Past major events: Ben Bohmer, Bonobo and a 4-hour set from Franky Wah.

Upcoming events: Claude VonStoke- Sunday, May 15 (open to close) and Seth Troxler- Sunday, May 29

Bang Bang

Image provided by Bang Bang San Diego 

Bang Bang is a smaller downtown venue for pure house and techno. With a more intimate feel, this nightclub is a sushi restaurant by day and a booming club at night. Bang Bang hosts a variety of artists and is another great place to catch local San Diego talent. The decor and light effects are also impressive for a smaller venue.

Past major events: Gene Farris, Layton Giordani, and Dirty South.

Upcoming Events: Nathan Barato- Friday, May 13 & Bastian Bux- Friday, May 20

San Diego is quickly rising to Los Angeles’s status as a hub for dance music. With venues featuring both big names and newer artists in house, techno, and bass, San Diego should be your next stop for all things EDM.

Featured image provided by FNGRS CRSSD