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    Nova SD

    3.0 (209 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

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    They brought the marquee
    Michelle R.

    NOVA SD We've come here for years but our favorites times are getting booths. It's nice to not feel crowded and actually have room to dance. They have multiple levels. And the top floor is the rooftop where it's a different DJ with a different vibe so if you want fresh air, go to the rooftop. Pro tip: always get with a VIP host to find which dates and prices, if you're looking to splurge on a booth. And make sure you get the booth you request. Even on the cheapest of nights when we spend a date night here, it's always over $1500. We spent my birthday here and it was well over $2k so even though they say the booth price and drinks, you end up spending a lot more. The VIP servers were so accommodating! When we first checked into the booth, I ran back to the entrance to get my other friend and they brought the Marquee with my name and sparklers. Haha awkward without the birthday girl (me) in the booth so after talking to them, they came back later. I would suggest that the servers make sure to tell the guests "stay in the booth since we'll be back with your marquee" since I'm sure I'm not the only one. Also, we usually always have someone in our booth at all times while there's drinks there but we noticed the booth next to us was a group of guys and when they left the booth, someone in the crowd stole their bottles. It was pretty messed up so if you get a booth, watch your drinks. Overall, this is a fun place to go with the best DJs! And you wouldn't know it but I'm completely sober in these photos. The hostess were all really sweet and made sure we had other juices for me to have. It took everyone by surprise that I'd spend my birthday at a club and not drink but we all had a blast and I'd go back any day of the week!

    Upstairs patio
    Mimi M.

    My group & I came to Nova SD for Sullivan King and overall, everything was absolutely perfect. The drinks were pretty good and the interior was great. It was much bigger than expected. The bouncers were kind as well as the bartenders inside. They even had a little patio upstairs if you needed a smoke break or a breather from all the loud music. I'm not very big on clubbing but I would most definitely come back to Nova after that wonderful experience.

    San Holo
    Laura B.

    Really Loved This Venue! It Didn't Feel Over Crowded And Did Not Get To Hot. Bathrooms Were Pretty Clean. Hoping To Go Again!

    Outdoor rooftop area
    Leslie B.

    My husband and I went to Nova to see Deadmau5, one of our favorite old school DJs, perform on NYE. Though I had never been to Nova, I had spent many weekend nights back at this venue when it had been the old beloved Stingaree or the more recent Omnia. We arrived around 10 PM, following a dinner nearby. There was no line to get in. I was a bit surprised to find that not only was my bag searched and I was wanded by a metal detector, but was also patted down. The bouncers confiscated my husband's eye drops (he has issues with his contacts), saying the the eyedrops could be drugs. I know it's good to be safe, but these exaggerated antics make me wonder what is wrong with this place. When we walked in, the show hadn't really started yet. The dance floor was empty at that time. We decided to head to the rooftop to get some air and a drink, sit down and relax. The best things about the club were that the rooftop had a lot of seating, as no one had purchased the tables up there, the bar service was fast, and the restrooms were clean with polite attendants. When it was after 11 PM, we headed down to check out the show. The floor was full... and I mean so full you couldn't get onto the floor. If you were there, you couldn't move to dance, nor move on or off the floor to get drinks. We stood back by the wall, in one of the only areas where you could actually see the performance without security telling us we couldn't stand there. Since the floor is completely surrounded by bottle service tables, the rest of the crowd has nowhere to stand other than to fill the walkways. This did not make for a fun night of dancing at all. Another huge disappointment is that the club did absolutely nothing at midnight. I mean, this was NYE! There was no balloon drop, no streamers, no fire, no nothing. It was just basically a crowded club night as usual. We got tired of standing in our corner, so we retired back to the rooftop to watch the performance from the screen and listen to the music piped through speakers. It was kind of a bummer that the only comfortable way to listen to the music was to remove ourselves from the stage area. Late in the night, closer to 1 AM, we went back inside to the balcony where we could mostly see the show and actually dance a bit, but that was after many other patrons had already left. The website states that there is a dress code, but many people wore sneakers and some were in sweats, or even pajamas. It is nice to have a place that hosts some great EDM artists, but it defeats the purpose if there is no space to dance, or breath, or a way to get to and from the bar. I will definitely continue to look to other venues to see my favorite artists.

    AMF
    Ashley P.

    Everything was good! The vibes! The drinks! The AMF will get you haha but it was really good. We went to see Sabai and he was such a good performer.

    Rooftop
    Amanda J.

    I love this club! Great DJs and a good venue. They have the main floor downstairs where the DJs perform. They have a second floor with a good view down to the stage and then they also have a rooftop where they play music and you can hang out. I like going to the rooftop for fresh air when it gets too hot and packed inside the club. Every level has a bar. I don't think they have food.

    we finally made it to the very back middle at 1:30 am when a few people left

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    3 years ago

    Noah was the best bottle service attendant ever. We loved him so much . We got our alcohol in a timely manner

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    Business owner information

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    Ali P.

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    3 years ago

    Best club atmosphere w the best DJ's, top edm artist. Had the best experience of a lifetime this past weekend @ Matroda's set!

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    3 years ago

    Bartender refused to give me water when I asked for some, which in pretty sure is illegal. I will never spend any money here again.

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    4 years ago

    World class venue! The staff is so professional and are always willing to help. Such a blast!

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    Page 4 of 6

    Nova SD Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nova SD

    Is there a coat check?

    Yes there is a coat check next to the entrance!

    Am I allowed to wear revealing rave attire to see yellow claw? Like super short cheeky shorts and fishnets?

    Is some of these folks could come in there with slippers then yes LOL

    I lost an item at NOVA this past weekend... How quick is response time on these issues? When is the venue available for lost item pickup?

    Hi Melissa, you can email us at info@novasd.com. We're back in the office from Tue-Fri of next week from 10am - 6pm.

    Is there a coat check in the winter?

    Hi Melissa! We do offer a coat check. It's just $5 and located in our Box Office, near our front… Read more

    Going to nova for the first time what's up with parking would anyone recommend any free parkings I'm willing to pay but what would be my best option?

    There isn't really any free parking in that area. I'd recommend parking in one of the $10 flat fee garages and walking a few blocks.

    Is this place 18 + on saturday?

    No it's 21+ for every event

    Can we wear Dj's jerseys?

    Yess!! I see people do it all the time 😍

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Nova SD

    We worked with Paz and he went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing night for our friends bachelorette party!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Raised By Wolves

    Raised By Wolves

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    11.6 mi
    $$

    So this looks like a top shelf liquor store. I walk in and ask if there's a bar, the cashier says…read morethere is and tells me to take a seat by the fireplace. I thought it was kinda weird but did so. Then the fireplace spins around into a speakeasy. It's the coolest bar I've ever been to and I immediately sent a video to my buddies of the fireplace spinning around into the bar. The beer selection is limited but the cocktail list is lengthy. So I got a amor picante and English brown ale. Both were pretty tasty, the bartenders or more like mixologists and know what they're doing. That's this critic's review.

    This was our first time visiting, we choose to go for our 1st yr wedding anniversary. Thought we…read morecould have a few drinks, enjoy the ambiance and then proceed with our night. Right away when we arrived I noticed that the flooring on the revolving fireplace looked like it needed to be replaced. I shrugged it off thinking they needed light weight materials for the revolving floor entrence. But I didn't think it was a good look for what is supposed to be a swanky exclusive vibe and being the first thing you really see. ( First impressions are important) Despite having made a reservation, we were seated directly between the revolving entrence and the exit, in the two coolest looking but most uncomfortable chairs. They were not practical at all for sitting and conversing a in a loud environment. That corner, in my opinion, should be reserved for the hostess and not for guest. Initially we thought these chairs were a quick stop before being moved to some of the other available sitting at the bar or around the perimeter we could clearly see when we came in. We asked, and where told those were our seats. No offer was made to be moved. We did not get a server to come to us until after we had placed our drink order with one of the hostess, about 20min after we were seated. Our server was very nice and polite. No issues there, just took long to get to us. The drinks were disappointing. Forgettable to say the least. We ordered one of there menu items and a Moscow mule. We were sad to see the Moscow mule served in a glass you might normally get a mojito in ... it wasn't served in a copper cup. As we sat there and looked at the place, we both thought the ambiance and decor was nice. However we were surprised to see so many people looked very underdressed considering they have a "smart casual" dress code, completely destroyed the whole swanky exclusive vibe. Lots of men in shorts and both men and women in flip flops. I also noticed the flooring inside the speakeasy had similar wear and scuff marks, as on the fireplace. The need to update their flooring and the amount of underdressed guest did not help project the vibes that they are going for. This really felt like a fast food (drinks) chain in any mall. Sadly I would not recommend, do to the drinks not being all that good, the service was mediocre, the "vibe" and experience they sell fall short.

    Photos
    Tiramitini and Mojito.
    Tiramitini and Mojito.
    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.
    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.
    (stole this pic from my friend)

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    (stole this pic from my friend)
    Mothership

    Mothership

    4.3
    (942 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Favorite cocktail bar in San Diego! We make it a point to come here every time we visit. The inside…read moreis incredibly well-decorated and detail-oriented. It really feels like you've stepped onto another planet. The whole space-themed concept is so fun, from the drinks to the food. Every cocktail we've tried has been delicious and surprisingly strong. The cups are super cute too, and we somehow always end up buying one to take home. The staff are very friendly and helpful, especially if you can't decide what to order. It's a really casual and fun spot for date night or hanging out with friends.

    I like themed restaurants and bars, so Mothership was high on my list of San Diego destinations…read more The outside of the bar looks like a Mexican restaurant (which it was a few years ago), but the inside has been transformed into a scientific base on an alien planet. The decorations, colors, and music all fit the vibe perfectly and look great! If you've been to any of the Meow Wolf locations, it reminded me of that minus the interactivity. I guess that's my one criticism is that I wish there were points of interaction around the place. For example, the bar had these cool recessed lights that looked like control panels, but they could easily be made into an interactive element. A lot more could be done with projection technology too. We didn't eat dinner, but the menu looked interesting with all vegetarian entrees with futuristic names. We did have some drinks. I had a non-alcoholic Tang & Tonic which was yummy and reminded me of something I drank in the UK when I was a little kid. My friends got alcoholic drinks which they both enjoyed. The drinks were a decent size and not overpriced.

    Photos
    Mindkiller
    Mindkiller
    The bar area
    The bar area
    Away Mission

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    Away Mission
    Noble Experiment

    Noble Experiment

    4.5
    (1.9k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    I'm not an often a cocktail drinker. So when the bartender asked what I'm looking for I was ill…read moreprepared. From his view, it probably sounded like "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (It definitely did). His questions guided my indecision towards a Berkshire Old Fashioned that was fantastic despite my fumbling to get there. With the warm up round over and the old fashioned loosening up my creativity, round two was set to be a knockout. I love coffee (specifically strong espresso drinks), so I asked for a strong, coffee infused, punchy cocktail, but with a different base of alcohol from the old fashioned. What came out was the best cocktail I will probably ever have in my life. The bourbon cocktail with coffee liqueur (and a number of other garnishes I will never remember) hit the bullseye. Flavorful, strong, bold, delicious all at the same time. Unfortunately (?), this was a noble experiment so I'll forever be chasing the white whale of what this drink was. But that's the allure.

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

    Photos
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail
    Bartenders creations.
    Bartenders creations.
    Skull wall

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    Skull wall
    Part Time Lover

    Part Time Lover

    4.3
    (509 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Finally made it to this cute speakeasy in San Diego! We stopped by on a Sunday around 5 PM and had…read moreno trouble walking right in. There were plenty of seats available, and service was quick and smooth. Cocktails were around $15-18 each. I ordered the Perpetual Motion and absolutely loved it, the sweet strawberry flavor paired perfectly with the creamy Calpico. It's the kind of drink I'd order again and again. I also tried the Piña Colada, which was equally delicious. Even though the cocktails are beautifully handcrafted and easy to sip, you can still taste the liquor, which I always appreciate. This is such a great spot for a first date, a girls' night out, or simply catching up with friends. One of my favorite parts was exploring the vinyl room, it adds such a fun retro touch. The entire space has a nostalgic, vintage vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into another era. It's the perfect place to relax, enjoy some creative cocktails, and soak in the atmosphere.

    This is a nice establishment, especially for lounging with a date. Very clean and nice drinks too…read more A little pricey however that's the norm in this area for the more popular out of towner type spots. The servers are friendly. But you have to be patient as they are often quite busy. The record store and records theme is what they present online but to be honest that is only a minute section of the establishment. It definitely doesn't describe the theme of the place neither. The worker in the record section simply ignored me when I tried to purchase a record and after a minute I had to ask for him to please ring me up. No apology from him. No biggie, I still had a decent time drinking here.

    Photos
    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)
    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)
    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead
    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead
    Bar area

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    Bar area
    Prohibition

    Prohibition

    4.0
    (1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    As I approached the old law office, we found a line wrapped outside ensuring ID was confirmed prior…read moreto entry. Our group was surprised as is was 2115, it's been open for about an hour and a half and packed. As you enter this old law office down a staircase one would find the "speakeasy statutes/rules" to maintain the 1920s atmosphere-- we loved the setting, the people, the drinks, and of course the live music!! One would not be disappointed. The cocktail menu was on an old record, which I thought it was so clever. Back to the rules, seems pretty easy! They mention to keep an open mind with the drinks as they do not carry vodkas, redbull, Budweiser or bulls**t. Mentioned a dresscode, more so be classic and states be respectful and don't be a di*k. I couldn't agree more with the rules. I don't think there is good at this establishment, as our group just came from dinner I wasn't looking for food. Just spirits, live music and a good time. Highly recommend if you are looking for live music and uniquely crafted cocktails.

    I am writing this review to bring a serious safety and security issue to management's attention. On…read moreMay 18th. around 10pm, I was at this establishment and was unfortunately dealing with a male date who became erratic, weird, and made me feel unsafe. Multiple bystanders witnessed his behavior but failed to intervene, assuming it was just "relationship drama" After the man finally left, the venue's security completely misread the situation. Instead of checking on my well-being or ensuring the aggressor had left the premises, security targeted and chased me as if I were the problem. It is incredibly disappointing and dangerous for a business's security team to lack the basic situational awareness and training required to identify the actual victim in a situation. I felt entirely unprotected by the staff here. I hope management takes this as a serious sign that their security team needs immediate retraining on bystander intervention and de-escalation, rather than harassing women who are already in vulnerable situations.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)
    Kiku Room

    Kiku Room

    3.6
    (36 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    BEST BAR & MUSIC IN SAN DIEGO…read more Kiku Room is what happens when all the right elements come together: incredible energy, world-class DJs and artists, expertly crafted cocktails, and a crowd that knows how to enjoy a great night out. The vibe is unmatched. Every time you walk through the doors, there's a sense that something special is happening. The music is on point, the room is electric, and the atmosphere strikes that rare balance between sophisticated and effortlessly cool. What separates Kiku Room is that it doesn't feel manufactured. It feels authentic. The people, the energy, the talent behind the decks, and the overall experience create a place that people genuinely want to be. In a city full of nightlife options, Kiku Room has built something iconic. If you're looking for a memorable night surrounded by great people, amazing music, and an atmosphere that keeps you coming back, this is it, look no further.

    One of the coolest new spots in San Diego in my opinion. This is the original location of the…read moreCasbah, it then languished for years as the Kava Lounge, a strange spot for wooks, and finally it became Kiku Room. Kiku Room has a chic minimalist interior, with polish concrete, metal, and glass as the primary backdrop. The DJ booth is large and separates the front sitting area from a lounge in the back that is draped in deep red lighting. The bartenders are cool and welcoming, the DJs who come through are usually really good, and the lounge is quite comfortable as well. Pretty good price on drinks overall, too. You can get a glass of draft Asahi here for $7, for instance, which is pretty good for a place that's in this DTSD-adjacent area.

    Photos
    Pay to get in bar.
    Pay to get in bar.
    Entrance to the back room
    Entrance to the back room
    Dj area

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    Dj area

    Nova SD - danceclubs - Updated June 2026

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