VIP Spotlight: Andy Farnsworth of 207 & Float at Hard Rock

Take it from somebody who has worked everywhere in the industry at one point or another, Hard Rock Hotel offers a whole new level of luxury VIP nightlife in San Diego – or, two new levels to be exact.

Andy Farnsworth is the VIP Manager of 207 and Float within Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Celebrity fans include Lil Jon, Paris Hilton, and Black Eyed Peas – but if you can’t take their word for it, Andy explains Hard Rock stands out because of the strong hotel element that enables them to offer the best in customer service. While the huge red couches at 207 are the prime spots for interactive hip hop dancing and maybe even a surprise guest performance on your table, Andy recommends Float for guests looking for a taste of house music with fresh air and open smoking around the plush fire pits.

And don’t even get me started on Intervention. Andy beams that nowhere else even comes close to Intervention Sunday, boasting the best DJs in the world under the summer sun. If you didn’t catch Deadmau5 over Memorial Day, you seriously missed out. For a VIP twist on daylife, treat yourself to the best seat in the house: Woodstock suite with front-row table service just off the astroturf dance floor that connects directly to your private room. New clubs will come and go but Andy isn’t phased. He confirms that the Hard Rock brand is so solid it will stand the test of time and always remain on top.

Discover why 207 and Float are best for VIP nightlife in San Diego straight from the source in this interview.

Want In? To go VIP at Hard Rock Hotel please call 866.492.6590 tonight!

DiscoverSD: Why is Hard Rock Hotel is the best spot in San Diego for VIP nightlife?
Andy Farnsworth: What makes us the most unique is that we have the entire hotel. We take care of everything – transportation, room, dinner, and bottle service. With the hotel, our service can be that much better. When a VIP guest checks into the hotel, they know that the Hard Rock staff is there for them the entire night to make sure they are happy. We have the man power of the entire hotel staff to make sure we can cater to the guest’s every need. Hard Rock is the best because of the service experience – from the beginning to the end.

DSD: For the best VIP nightlife experience, do you recommend Float or 207? What is the best seat in the house?

AF: Each club offers something really different. If VIP clients want to dance to hip hop and be in the mix, I recommend 207 downstairs. The best spots in 207 are the big red couches right next to the DJ booth. There is so much interaction at 207 – you may even be seated right next to our celebrity host or have the guest artists perform right on your table. Our VIP tables in 207 are the biggest tables in all of San Diego by far. Float is better for guests who like to be outside to smoke or have fresh air. There’s nothing else like Float in San Diego – there is so much space to relax and our guests really love the fire pits where they can smoke and have bottle service at the same time. The lights and music aren’t always in your face at Float and you can actually meet people and hold a conversation. But at the same time, it’s designed so that wherever you are at Float, you’re always in the mix. One of the two middle fire pits has to be the best spot at Float. If it’s about the music, 207 is for hip hop and dancing, where Float is for house music and lounging.

DSD: Is Intervention a big selling point for your VIP clients?
AF: Oh ya, absolutely. We have clients fly in to stay at one of the Woodstock suites and party Saturday night just to have the spot reserved for Intervention on Sunday. Nothing else even compares to Intervention in San Diego. The best spot for bottle service at Intervention has to be one of the Woodstock suites which has a private patio table that connects directly to your own room, or one of the central cabanas as well. We have the best talent at Intervention and it’s a huge reason why people want to party at Hard Rock.

DSD: If you’re going to party at Hard Rock, why should you go VIP and get table service?
AF: The service. We take care of everything for our VIP clients. We are happy to arrange rooms and dinner reservations for guests before the night begins, and then we make sure everyone in the group is taken care of and happy throughout the night. There is no line and no cover for VIP clients and their parties. This is especially helpful on busy nights where there can be a separate line or cover to get up to Float or down to 207. The on-hand hotel staff is also a key part because we have the man power to do any favors for our guests – from getting them cigarettes to finding girls to bring to their table. And we always send Thank You cards after the night is over.



























DSD: What is the most extravagant VIP tab you’ve seen at Hard Rock?
AF: We have had some $25K tabs, which is pretty high, during our Grand Opening parties, Opening Day of Intervention and most recently Deadmau5 at Intervention for Memorial Day.

DSD: What celebrities and special guests love to party at Hard Rock?
AF: We have more celebrities coming through the Hard Rock Hotel than I’ve ever seen before. Everyone knows the Hard Rock brand and wants to stay at the hotel. We’ve had everyone from George Clooney and Tim Burton to Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Paris Hilton, Busta Rhymes, Lil Jon, Black Eyed Peas, and the casts of “Heroes” and “True Blood” – the celebrities are especially out during Comic-Con weekend.

DSD: How do you see the San Diego nightlife industry transforming in the next five years? How will Hard Rock continue to stay up to speed with all the new competition?
AF: San Diego is just going to get better. As the economy grows, more clubs will open up and start to spend more money. But even in the down economy nightlife didn’t struggle – everyone needs to party to release stress. Hard Rock will always be around. It’s all in the hotel and customer service. And nobody can compete with Intervention.

DSD: On a personal note, what is your industry background? How did you get into the nightlife industry, and how did you end up running the show at Hard Rock?
AF: I first got into the club since with Ultra that used to be at 4th & B, passing out party flyers when I was 21-years-old. I worked at the former Margarita Rocks in Pacific Beach and then started a promotion company, doing events at the old Moondoggie’s La Jolla. From there I started working at Aubergine with D Town and DJhere and then went over to Side Bar. I was with the Ivy team when we opened Eden and Envy and then headed over to Hard Rock when the Gerber Group left. I’ve been everywhere and have done everything – barback, security, VIP host. I was in the industry before bottle service even existed in San Diego. It wasn’t until Side Bar that bottle service blew up with the rise of the housing market. A lot of people were making a lot of money at a young age and were looking to spend it.

DSD: When you’re not working at Hard Rock, where do you enjoy partying at in San Diego?
AF: I have respect for all venues downtown. I probably go to Side Bar the most because of their huge Industry Wednesday parties every week.

Want In? To go VIP at Hard Rock Hotel please call 866.492.6590 tonight!

Discover all the best parties and events at Hard Rock on our San Diego events calendar!