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Nova SD

3.0 (217 reviews)
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Updated 2 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.

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

Sorry Insomniac but do better. I'll start with the good: -paramedics on site walking around -decent bathroom lines / # of stalls -short bar lines (usually no wait) -bar staff was friendly could be better: if the only areas people who do not have a table can stand at is the center of the floor and the top floor center than stop overselling the show, it's ridiculous you have absolutely zero view upstairs in the center and SO MANY people stand there it's crazy. We luckily found a spot in the back by the stair entrance at the bottom and the garbage can that we could stand at and security didn't boot us away. Thank you! They were actually pretty chill about it because we weren't being drunk messes just trying to vibe without being trampled on. A bottle of water was $7.50 before tax. The ghost energy drink was $8.50 for an 8oz but tastes pretty good! Those are vegas prices tho! Big issue here is they over sell the venue so it is not comfortable at all. The only reason I went is because Kaskade was playing, anyone else it's a hard no.

Rooftop

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4 years ago

Super fun, lots of event lineups. Most house EDM djs but it's still a fun place to let loose and dance it out

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4 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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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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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… 

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 - Lots o' Scotch

Raised By Wolves

4.3(2.3k reviews)
11.6 mi•University City
•$$$

RAISED BY WOLVES @ UTC LA JOLLA…read more Raised by Wolves is located inside UTC La Jolla, tucked away in the very back of the mall near the Din Tai Fung area. I would definitely recommend parking around Corner Bakery or near 24 Hour Fitness for the closest way in. This was my very first time going to Raised by Wolves. I made a reservation on OpenTable, and if you are reading this right now, I highly recommend booking one. When we got there, the wait was two hours for people without a reservation. I booked for 9 PM on a Saturday night with my friends after dinner. We actually arrived at UTC earlier than expected, so we let the host know and they let us in about 20 minutes early. As for parking, they do not validate here. Parking is free for the first hour and then two dollars per hour after that, so just be aware that you may end up paying for parking when you visit this bar. It is set up like a speakeasy, which is really cool. You get to see where the actual bar is hidden. We ended up ordering a bunch of cocktails and the drinks were super great. I really loved the vibe overall. It was lively and chatty, and the staff was super friendly. The ambiance is very dark and classy. Keep in mind they do not serve food here. It is purely drinks only. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping by.

Finally came to visit this bar, after reading other reviews both good and bad, I figured wth. We…read morewaited about 10 minutes for reservation, sat on the revolving fireplace and sat at the bar. You can essentially sit wherever, but the bar is the best seat in the house IMO. The scenery was cool and had the prohibition era feel to it, however the music was current and WAY TOO loud. There is nothing more annoying to have to shout to the person sitting over the next barstool for a conversation. So there's that. We ordered the Island Old Fashioned, which sounded interesting, but...alittle disappointed. I wanted to order another cocktail, but we had dinner reservations. The bartender(s) barely spoke and if they did, we wouldn't have been able to hear them, you know, because of the loud music. Maybe we'll come again for other cocktails when we visit San Diego again. Until then, RBW is a "check off the list" kind of thing.

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Raised By Wolves - Tiramitini and Mojito.

Tiramitini and Mojito.

Raised By Wolves - The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.

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Raised By Wolves - Smells of leather bound books and rich mahogany

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False Idol - Reserve Mai Tai

False Idol

4.4(1.4k reviews)
0.9 mi•Little Italy
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They don't serve food but they are connected to craft and Craft & Commerce which has good food…read more The staff is awesome I've never had a bad experience and when visiting for a special occasion they've always gone above and beyond to ensure we have a good time! The decor is incredible it's absolutely a must see for all tiki fans and anyone who loves a heavily themed bar!

This is a very small but beautifully decorated tiki bar inside the Craft & Commerce restaurant. I…read morerecommend making a reservation but you can also try walking in (you may be allowed access but may not get a table, so be prepared to stand). The place is not exactly hidden; there is a host stand near the entrance. For what it is worth, the parking lot next door to False Idol and Craft & Commerce should be renamed Butch Cassidy, not because of the entertaining movie, but because it charges highway robbery rates. We paid $40 on a Friday night. That is...outrageous. The menu at False Idol is long and delightful and the drinks are delicious. As far as I can tell, none of the drinks are blended, so sorry for you Pina Colada fans, which includes me. They also offer three mocktails. We tried a Mac Nut Chi Chi (macadamia based) and a Chi Breeze mocktail (also macadamia based). They were both very nice. I appreciated the detail in the menu. If you want stronger and boozier drinks, they are available. If you want something lighter, they have that, too. Most of the drinks seemed reasonably priced. The lighting and music were excellent. When someone ordered a shareable "bowl" drink, loud volcano rumbling noises played and the lighting flickered. That was fun. As a tiki fan, I would return, but I would never, ever park in that evil thieving parking lot next door again.

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False Idol - Rum Old Fashioned

Rum Old Fashioned

False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

Isn't it gorgeous?!

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Mothership - Amazing decor

Mothership

4.3(994 reviews)
2.2 mi•South Park, Golden Hill, North Park
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This was such a cool bar with very nice staff…read more It's easy to find, street parking was a nonissue, and they have a huge selection of cocktails with a decent selection of mocktails as well. I love their menu design. It gives a lot of attention to each drink with a clear description breakdown along with the level of alcohol meter. A lot of the drinks are STRONG and their presentations are magnificent.

We had such a great experience at this space themed bar! One thing that I would make a note of is…read morethat we did make a reservation for 10 pm on a Saturday night, but still had to wait in a very long line out the door for a good 15 minutes. We were confused, along with many other folks in line. I think they were just preparing their tables way longer than expected. Other than that inconvenience, the bar itself was beautifully decorated and very on-theme. The drinks were very much giving "tiki bar but in space" and were veryyyy strong. They have an alcohol strength spectrum on their menu so you can guide yourself through the drinks. We got drinks that weren't even on the strong side of the scale and they were still pretty strong. This would be a great place for a pregame for sure! They even have some food and seasonal soft serve other than their normal drinks. Overall, great service, strong drinks, and fun vibes. Perfect place for a pregame!

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Mothership - Deceiving Exterior

Deceiving Exterior

Mothership - Mindkiller

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Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

Noble Experiment

4.5(1.9k reviews)
0.2 mi•East Village, Core
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My husband and I recently spent some days in San Diego. He found this speak easy and we decided we…read moreneeded to try it out. This was definitely the highlight of our trip. From the spooky, dark, skulls old school ambiance and decor, to the experience of not ordering from a menu, everything about it made it feel unique and curated making it feel like a true individualized experience. As mentioned, there are no menus. We sat at the bar, the bartender makes casual conversation with you regarding the types of drinks you enjoy. He curated something for both my husband and I based on what we shared we enjoyed. The drinks were delicious. The entry was very cool! It felt as if you were entering a hidden spot - which you do. When you enter the restaurant, you let the hostess know you're there for the Noble Experience. She let us know to head to the wall with the kegs (which is actually a door). You enter and there's a small waiting area where you're greeted by another hostess. This place is a 20/10. We can't wait to return on our next visit to SD.

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Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

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Part Time Lover - The record room

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4.2(536 reviews)
3.1 mi•North Park
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Great vibe and speedy service!…read more We loved the Vinyl room and security was very attentive to their surroundings.

I came to Part Time Lover last year after eating at a restaurant nearby. I don't drink alcohol in…read moregeneral so I had asked if they could make a drink virgin... They told me no. The only options then were "a fruity drink, a chocolate drink, or a bubbly drink" and so I asked for a fruity. It tasted like juice in sparkling soda. I honestly was underwhelmed and turned off by the fact they hadn't put any effort in thinking about customers who come for the vibes but don't actually drink alcohol. It was also a jam packed Saturday night and it was incredibly loud so when trying to talk to my friends sitting next to me I had to shout. Ended up straining my voice by the end of the night. This experience last year was probably 2-3 stars, not good. But fast forward a year and some months later, they have a "Free Spirited" section on their menu now!!! This time I also went with a fruity drink and it was actually really good!! I'm glad Part Time Lover has turned a new leaf and actually put conscious effort into their mocktails. We also came here earlier on a Thursday night so it wasn't packed, was very easy to get a seat and just hangout. This better experience bumped up my impression of the place, so 4 stars!

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Part Time Lover - The bar at PTL San Diego

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Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

Prohibition

4.0(1k reviews)
0.1 mi•Gaslamp
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So came down to San Diego to celebrate my brother birthday and we decided to take a whiskey class…read morewith our ladies. So we found that Prohibition offers a whiskey class where you can make drinks yourself. Met the owner Ryan who is the owner of Prohibition Whiskey and he told us the story about how he started the business and we connected because he was from Oakland. From that moment it was on and poppin. The vibes of the class was great and conversations along with the drinks were flowing. We ended the night by making an espresso martini made with whiskey and it was amazing. Plus it was dope that I got to make the drink myself. Can't wait to come back to San Diego to patron this establishment

I went to Prohibition when I was attending a conference at the Convention Center, so I think my…read moreexperience is a little different. A sponsor had rented out the whole place and all drinks were comped with food being passed around. We had cuban sandwiches and empanadas, which I think were all from the Havana restaurant upstairs. Food was great! Drinks were good, but the menu was so confusing to me. I didn't really like how they categorized them. Sometimes I feel like just being straightforward is better. Too cute with trying to do the prohibition/speakeasy menu. It did take a while to get drinks when it was packed. Understandable. But I had a few that were good, the boats and hoes, and keffir lime tequila drink were great. I would say that the bathroom had a bit of a stink to it...not sure what it was but smelled just like coming up from the pipes. May just be a basement issue. Overall, good experience. It didn't feel super special but just like any other speakeasy. I like False Idol better in terms of overall vibe.

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Prohibition
Prohibition - El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

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

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Starlite - Starlite Burger

Starlite

4.1(2.7k reviews)
2.0 mi•Middletown, Mission Hills
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Starlite delivers that quintessential sleek, mid-century modern lounge atmosphere right along India…read moreStreet. The iconic geometric wood ceiling, dramatic chandelier, and moody lighting make the space feel effortlessly cool. The craft cocktail program is legendary, and the elevated gastropub menu is just as impressive, the grilled octopus was tender with a wonderful smoky char, the Jidori chicken was remarkably juicy with perfectly crispy skin, and the sea bass was delicate and flaky. Taking off one star because street parking along India Street can require quite a bit of circling during peak evening hours, and the dining room gets rather loud and dim once the crowd settles in. Still, an absolute San Diego staple and a top choice for a stylish date night, late-night craft drinks, or dinner with friends.

Every thing from the food to the service was amazing!! My fiancé and I went for our anniversary,…read morethey sat us next to the waterfall and it was absolutely beautiful! Our favorite meals from our trip were actually from here! The sides are best in my opinion but we did not have a single dish that we thought could be improved! Our servers were so sweet and on top of it!! We also really enjoyed all of the cocktails we were able to try. If you're thinking about going here I'd say book the reservation!

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Starlite - Bar area after entering

Bar area after entering

Starlite - Chef's vegetable salad, beautiful presented and super yummy!

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Polite Provisions - Uncle Jalapeño

Polite Provisions

4.3(2k reviews)
4.0 mi•University Heights, North Park
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Always a 5 Star experience when gathering for drinks here…read more Over the years, the names have changed for the provider of Polite Provision's delicious orderable food to go along with their polite provisions. Items such as scrupulously prepared meatballs, fried polenta, spaghetti with mushroom sauce, etc., from the prior next-door, connected purveyor "Soda and Swine"...but those days are done ...I digress. And where is Soda and Swine's Yelp page? I know I did a review, but now the page appears gone completely in search? Nah, it's just hidden, presumably to accommodate Fortunate Sons, which opened about a year ago after re-construction of both establishments. I'm too lazy to see if still owned by Consortium Group. I did search my reviews and found my updated Soda & Swine review dated 8 & 10 years ago. O_o !! Now, food is still served, however, there's a new name in town called "Fortunate Son" (next door, connected). Apparently, food now served is Asian-inspired. I've not visited recently to taste. The North Park area is a great neighborhood with many different types of food close by. While you're there, don't forget to stop by "An's Dry Cleaners", where the most inventive gelato's, ice creams and sorbets come from.

You can order from the bar or your table. Lots of different seating options indoors and outdoors…read more Very extensive drink menu almost too many options. The drinks we ordered were good and service didn't take too long. Right next to Fortunate Son so you can order food from them and enjoy in their bar.

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Polite Provisions - Want. Make. Disco.

Want. Make. Disco.

Polite Provisions - Real oil lamps!

Real oil lamps!

Polite Provisions - Art deco

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Art deco

Kiku Room - DJ in the front room. Back room behind him that can be accessed from the side.

Kiku Room

3.4(46 reviews)
1.8 mi•Middletown

Maybe it's because we went right at opening time 6pm on a Saturday- our group enjoyed this spot…read more The bartender was great and we got a few rounds before heading to our next destination. Being here for about an hour and a half, people started to arrive. It is on the smaller end but it was a vibe! Would come again even with the mixed reviews on yelp.

I've visited here a couple of times, and my experiences have been completely different depending on…read morewhen I went. The first time was fantastic. The atmosphere immediately reminded me of Berlin with its moody red room aesthetic and unique vibe. There's a DJ right when you walk in next to the bar, and as you make your way toward the back, you'll find additional seating. It's a fun, energetic space that's unlike many other spots in San Diego. However, my visit this past Friday was a completely different story. We had to wait outside for people to leave before we could get in, although thankfully that only took a few minutes. Once inside, it was packed shoulder to shoulder. There are only two bathroom stalls so it took about 20 minutes just to use the restroom. The biggest issue, though, was the temperature. It honestly felt like it was 100 degrees inside. It was unbearably hot, and after a while we had to leave because we were so uncomfortable. During a crowded San Diego summer night, having air conditioning or at least improved ventilation would make a huge difference. That said, I still recommend checking this place out. My advice is to visit on a weekday instead of a weekend, and avoid especially hot or overly crowded nights. When it's not packed, the atmosphere is unique, stylish, and definitely worth experiencing.

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Kiku Room - Pay to get in bar.

Pay to get in bar.

Kiku Room - Entrance to the back room

Entrance to the back room

Kiku Room

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Nova SD - danceclubs - Updated October 2026

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