On Broadway

On the weekends On Broadway functions as a high-energy dance club, complete with computerized light show and 90,000 watt sound system. Offering a wide range of music formats including house, hip-hop, 70's/80's, and Top 40, everyone is sure to be entertained. Be sure to arrive early to beat the line! For our special guests, VIP booths, table or rooms are available and can be reserved in advance by calling Aaron at 619-565-0834

Venue History

Located at the intersection of Sixth Avenue & Broadway, in the rapidly expanding “Gaslamp District” of San Diego, On Broadway Event Center (OBEC) was developed within the shell of a 30,000 sq.-ft. historic bank building that dates back to the 1920s. Several million dollars was spent remodeling the venue, incorporating unique interior design features, while maintaining the architectural and historical integrity of the space. Some of the building’s original elements that remain intact include its basement vault, Italian marble floors, gold ornate ceilings, 30 foot columns, and numerous arches.

Venue Size

OBEC is currently 30,000 sq.-ft, sufficient for hosting events ranging from a small bachelor party of 50 people to a PowerPoint presentation for 1,000 corporate executives to a large cocktail reception for 2,000 guests.

Venue Concept

OBEC is an exceptionally well designed event center with highly functional banquet facilities, and extraordinary audio-visual and lighting technology ideal for state-of-the-art presentations and entertainment purposes. The facility is San Diego’s premier venue for meetings and special events, catering to corporations, individuals and event planners. On Friday and Saturday evenings, OBEC transforms into a high-energy nightclub that opens its doors to the region’s most exclusive and eclectic clientele. Inspired by mid-century modernist architecture, art and furniture, OBEC’s style was developed by looking forward to a new direction allowing for a highly innovative and original space. This concept of creating a new design, based on contemporary design from the past, is called “Retro-futuristic modernism.” Designed to give patrons a unique and innovative experience, custom bars, booths, furniture and art were placed throughout the space. The existing massive columns, gold leaf ceiling, and marble wainscot contrasted with the contemporary screen walls, colored glass light boxes and “space age” barstools. The goal was to marry these two extremely different architectural styles, resulting in a very dramatic and dynamic space. OBEC is a space that has achieved the rare quality of being extremely creative and hip, while maintaining a level of sophistication and elegance. One of the primary design goals was to create a highly flexible and functional floor plan, achieved by breaking areas into smaller spaces that can be opened or closed. OBEC can accommodate several hundred guests without feeling to open or intimidating, as well as service several thousand guests without feeling claustrophobic. The dining area, dance floor and lounge areas can also be opened or closed to accommodate different usage requirements. Lighting and music are extremely flexible and can be adjusted to create a wide range of moods ranging from intimate to high energy dancing.

Main Level

The Main Level of OBEC is divided into five spaces: The Entrance, Main Bar, The VIP Lounge, Zen Café and Sushi Bar and the Mega Dance Floor.

Club Entrance

Orange curtains line the walls of the dramatic entryway where a multi-colored mobile hangs from the ceiling. The reception counter features a grid of glowing circular openings on its face, and a backlit glass oval top rests upon an abstract modernist floor pattern colored orange, black and white.

Main Bar

The spectacular Main Bar is the centerpiece of the main floor. The entire face of the four-sided, 35 foot bar is composed of glowing red glass. The bar top is made of broken black granite and white marble. The towering 14-foot-high back bar consists of multi-colored glass display boxes floating within an open steel frame.

VIP Lounge

The VIP Lounge, which overlooks the dance floor, includes booths, tables and chairs of modernist design. The materials and fabric experiment with innovative textures and colors. The brightly colored abstract carpet looks very much like a painting.

Zen Cafe

The Zen Café and Sushi Bar is attached to a 15-foot-high screen wall. The lower part of the wall has sculptural openings, providing access to the kitchen and encouraging interaction with the sushi chef. The upper part of the screen wall consists of backlit colored glass display openings.

Mega Dance Floor

The Mega Dance Floor, made up of the building’s original marble flooring, is overshadowed by a massive 17-foot-high floating wall that houses a spectacular assortment of colored light openings. With the help of our sound and lighting engineer, the wall becomes a creative display for a variety of visual avenues. The wall consists of 2 high definition monitors, but our largest screen can display a 30 foot diagonal image guaranteed to WOW any audience.

Lower Level

The Lower Level of OBEC is divided into three spaces: The Ultra Bar, The Gallery Lounge, and The Vault.

Ultra Bar

With a tufted white vinyl bar, a 10-foot-high corner booth and streamlined white vinyl furniture straight out of “The Jetsons,” The Ultra bar is the hipster hangout of the club. The back bar consists of a series of glowing circular openings used for a spectacular liquor display. Brightly colored abstract paintings hang on the walls.

Gallery Lounge

The Gallery Lounge gives a very friendly and warm feeling, while maintaining a level of funkiness. The checkerboard cork floors, yellow walls and soft lighting make it the perfect place to hang out with that special someone. The 30-foor radius bar, with a glowing glass top and a spectacular oval shaped backdrop filled with backlit bottles, give this space a progressive edge. Contemporary furniture and modernists signed paintings by Miro, Max, Picasso and Chagal fill The Gallery Lounge and add to the unforgettable OBEC experience.

The Vault

The bank’s original vault has been transformed into a chic lounge equipped for live entertainment, casino tables, video games and a variety of unique event ideas. The dramatic polished stainless steel doors have been left in place, inviting guests into the plush red interior of The Vault.

Karma Lounge

(Located inside On Broadway Event Center) This hidden lounge inside On Broadway Event Center is its own venue within a venue, housing its own set of restrooms and entrance from On Broadway. The Karma Lounge can either serve as an addition to OBEC or as its own separate entity. This mysterious event space encompasses a mixture of Eastern themes in its décor, including Thai sculptures, Persian carpeting and Oriental light fixtures. The Karma Lounge also includes a full service sound and lighting system to service it spacious dance floor and is equipped for live entertainment. This lounge is known for its private alcoves within its 5,000 square feet of space, which are used for VIP table service.