VIP Spotlight: Shane Brennan of Stingaree

It can be said that without EnDev, San Diego wouldn’t have the thriving nightlife and entertainment scene that we locals so lovingly nurture and celebrate today. In 2002, the masterminds behind EnDev, James Brennan included, created the first upscale lounge and restaurant concept in the Gaslamp Quarter: Side Bar. Now a decade later, the collective EnDev reach has brought to life many other hotspot venues, including San Diego’s reigning super-club Stingaree. 

It’s one thing to know who created Stingaree, but it’s a whole new level to know how to party in ultimate VIP-style at Stingaree.

Shane Brennan is the VIP Host Manager at Stingaree – AKA, the man to know if you want to really party at Stingaree. This younger Brennan has seen the San Diego nightlife scene grow from the early days at the all-powerful original Side Bar to the current competitive industry with new clubs coming up in the game. He has partied with the late DJ AM during his San Diego residency at Stingaree and he has hosted some of the hottest celebrities in the world, including Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas and Jamie Foxx.

Although I’m no stranger to the party scene at Stingaree, I sat down with Shane Brennan to get the Insider scoop on the best way to go VIP, the best seat in the house, the craziest tabs, and the best parties of all time. According to Brennan, the Mezzanine is where the athletes and local VIPs hang out, droppin’ $22K in one night isn’t unheard of and the best part of bottle service is the coveted personal real estate it comes with. 

Discover why Stingaree is best for VIP nightlife in San Diego straight from the source in this exclusive interview.

Want In? To go VIP at Sting please call 866.885.4021 tonight!

DiscoverSD: Why is Stingaree the best spot in San Diego for VIP nightlife?
Shane Brennan: Stingaree is the best because it has three different floors to choose from and offers everything you’re looking for. Whether you want to be dancing your pants off on the first floor, are looking to have an exclusive night on the Mezzanine where all of the athletes, celebrities and local VIPs hang out, or want to get some fresh air on the rooftop, Stingaree has it all. The difference between us and a Hard Rock or Ivy is that Stingaree flows a lot better – where they have elevators and separate lines and cover charges, we give you access to all levels of the club. Everyone can experience the whole nightclub with a comfortable flow at Stingaree.

DSD: What is the best seat in the house?
SB: We call it Table 109 on the Mezzanine – it’s on the most exclusive level of the club but is still right in the mix. It has room for about 20 people with three different couch areas and is positioned right in the middle of all the action. You have room in front of the tables to dance and the bar is right next to you as well. Table 109 is the best seat if you want the ultimate VIP luxury seating without leaving the scene.

DSD: If you’re going to party at Stingaree, why should you go VIP and get table service?
SB: Well, the reason I like bottle service is because it gives you personal real estate for you and your friends. There is no cover charge or lines for anyone in your party and you even have your own personal VIP entrance to the club. Rather than just being in the club, you have personal real estate to hang out, drink, and dance with your friends. Plus, you have your own cocktail waitress so you never have to wait in line or be thirsty for drinks.

DSD: What will bottle service set us back at Stingaree?
SB: The modest average is $350 and the lowest is the one bottle minimum. We have plenty of small and large tables, as we want to accommodate everyone – from the students celebrating 21st birthdays with one bottle to the corporate guys coming in and ordering flowing bottles on the company card all night.

DSD: What is the most extravagant VIP tab you’ve seen at Stingaree?
SB: It was a $22K bill – a birthday party for a regular client with 20 bottles of Crystal and 5 bottles of Grey Goose.

DSD: What are the best parties you’ve seen thrown at Stingaree?
SB: When DJ AM had his residency at Stingaree, those were some of the most insane parties I’ve ever seen anywhere. It’s so sad that he’s gone now. In the past five years we’ve had some incredible talent, from Kanye West to Jamie Foxx and Black Eyed Peas. Actually, the best club performances I’ve seen at Stingaree were Jamie Foxx and Tyree – they both brought incredible energy and had every eye in the club looking at them. 

DSD: What celebrities and special guests love to party at Stingaree?
SB: We always have a lot of Charger players on the Mezzanine. We’ve also had Wilmer Valderrama, Paris Hilton, Carmen Electra … you name it, we’ve had so many celebrity faces at Stingaree over the years. 

DSD: Although many clubs have opened in recent years, Stingaree still remains the biggest name in the industry. How does Sting pull it off?
SB: We have an amazing management team and great customer service. We always stay ahead of the entertainment game. We treat people the right way and we have the right entertainment to make the best parties.

DSD: How do you see the San Diego nightlife industry transforming in the next five years? How will Stingaree continue to stay up to speed with all the new competition?
SB: I think San Diego is definitely evolving – slowly but surely. San Diego is becoming a travel destination because it is so beautiful, and that is putting us on the map for everything, including entertainment. I see the nightlife and entertainment industry continuing to get bigger, but I don’t see any new big clubs opening up anytime soon because of the economy. New lounges and bars, yes. But no new Stingaree’s anytime soon.

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 Stingaree?
SB: I started barbacking in New York when I was just 16-years-old, and I worked in a bunch of different clubs in Manhattan before moving out to San Diego when I was 21. First I bartended at Side Bar and then became the first VIP host at Side Bar – this is when Side Bar was the only club of its kind in San Diego to offer bottle service and VIP entertainment. It was a crazy time when the real estate market was booming and there were a lot of young people making a lot of money really fast. There were always corporate guys taking out clients – everyone had money to burn. It’s a different game now.

DSD: When you’re not working at Stingaree, where do you enjoy partying at in San Diego?
SB: I love going to Hard Rock for Intervention – hands down, can’t beat it. And I love Bar West, too. You can definitely find me Sundays at Bar West kicking back on the couches.

Spotted in the Scene: Shane Brennan partying at Intervention Sunday. View more San Diego pool party photos!

Want In? To go VIP at Stingaree in San Diego please call 866.885.4021 tonight!

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

More Brennan: Check out James Brennan and Brian Malarkey's new restaurant Searsucker in San Diego.