San Diego party-goers, listen up: The highly anticipated return of San Diego nightlife institution Side Bar is slated for May 2009.

For five years local nightlife enthusiasts have trusted Side Bar as the go-to night spot for VIP service and luxury entertainment. After almost a whole year of renovation, we locals can’t wait for the all new Side Bar scene to open up for summer.

Grand Opening Party Alert: Side Bar will host a weekend-long invite-only opening celebration May 15-16. Check Pictures.DiscoverSD.com for hot San Diego party pics.

Co-owned by local businessman David Laurent and veteran entertainment entrepreneurs Mike Georgopoulous and Rodrigo Iglesias, who have recently joined forces to create RMD Group, the 5,000 square-foot Gaslamp venue has undergone a $1 million remodel under the direction of interior designer, Davis Krumins to create a glamorous art deco and modern destination.

“Side Bar was the first nightclub in San Diego to offer the VIP service and ambiance nightlife aficionados had come to know and love in other metropolitan cities,” said Mike Georgopoulous. “After a successful five years in the Gaslamp, it was time to revitalize the signature style and unrivaled entertainment that Side Bar became known for and we are excited to debut the new stylized space and focus on service which were the foundation for Side Bar’s success from the start.” 

New Side Bar Scene
The new entrance on Market Street is symbolic of the new experience and direction of the space. Overall a dark, moody, and sexy ambiance is created with unexpected elements and surprising details. The entrance of Side Bar is designed to be a casual, anytime space perfect to let loose on the weekends or to hang out for cocktail hour with friends after a hard day’s work. Here, Krumins has taken a gypsy-like approach to the furniture, with a collection of mismatched items appointed in soft velvets, worn leather, and silky blacks that purposefully meld to make startling sense. Thirty deep red birdcages dangle from the lofted ceilings at various heights, starkly contrasting the black painted brick walls lined with paintings of artistic nudes in the front half of the space.

Behind a large silver curtain in the middle of the space, guests may step up into the club side. Thursday through Saturday, this part of Side Bar will be a fury with localDJsplaying the best mixes from within a floor-to-ceiling, oversized birdcage DJ booth. The club’s bottle service guests will relax in deep red, diamond tufted custom sofas with hidden purse compartments, and enjoy three giant custom chandeliers and a backlit acrylic image of a vintage nude scene coquettishly hidden behind strands of crystal.

Also new to Side Bar’s opening will be a late night dining menu. Chef Derek Dinublia, known for his New York-style pizza at the adjacent Ciro’s pizzeria, will be unveiling a savory bar menu, including artisan pizzas in the new club. Side Bar will serve its dining menu to guests until 4am.

Stay tuned for more Insider info on the new Side Bar in San Diego – May '09. Discover more of the best clubs and bars.