As the San Diego nightclub scene has ramped up in recent years, one of the venues leading the charge has been going through its own personal evolution.
On Broadway was an iconic destination in the Gaslamp Quarter from 2000 to 2012, known for hosting as many private events as memorable club party nights. One of its original owners, Carlos Becerra, took over and converted it into the entirely new Parq Nightclub and Restaurant experience, which opened in October 2014.
While it’s full of updated light and sound technologies, Parq sets itself apart most obviously with its size—38,000 square feet spread over five rooms plus the new Lair bar and club downstairs. “It was a total transformation into Parq, but we still have a large number of corporate events and private parties,” Becerra says. “During Comic-Con, we had Marvel doing a party in one room and the Black Eyed Peas in another. It’s tough to do that at other venues downtown because they don’t have the space.”
Originally constructed as the Bank of Italy in 1926, the building boasts a level of history and architectural detail you can’t find anywhere else. Parq also takes pride in its programming. “We opened with Steve Aoki and Deorro, but we’ve had a mix of music from the start, when it was a four-day weekend and we did so many different formats,” Becerra says. The club has showed off that range with performances by Diplo, Chris Brown and Dee Jay Silver.
“I think it’s the only true open-format venue in San Diego,” says Kalika Moquin, head of Blackout Artists and Parq’s entertainment director. “One night it was The Chainsmokers, and a week later it was Future. In Vegas, most [venues] tend to be either EDM or hip-hop. Parq gives the best of both worlds.” Parqsd.com.
