Keeping a legend alive
An iconic founding father of the San Diego hospitality scene was left for dead, but RMD Group gave it new life.
When Side Bar opened in 2003, it began a new era in the Gaslamp Quarter. The neighborhood was on its way to becoming a nationally respected nightlife destination. Side Bar’s intimate size and glamorous style helped sustain a lengthy run of success. It eventually came time to expand, but in the middle of the demolition, the owners walked away. New investors saw an opportunity in the rubble, and RMD rescued the project.
“With Side Bar you have a rarely seen run of success. RMD has been so strategic with positioning the club, it continues to draw people in and register great revenue numbers.”
Frankie Sciuto - New Owner, Side Bar
Reimagined and revitalized
RMD Group hired a new crew and finished the expansion. Inside, our design team unveiled a completely reimagined space, gracefully evolving the brand while maximizing the additional space. We hired and trained staff, and the new Side Bar reopened.
RMD Group operated the club for many profitable years. Revenue had returned, but the competition had also intensified. The arrival of major national players began to overpower the local spots. We were again tasked to analyze and reconcept a 3rd incarnation of Side Bar.
The plan centered around new technology. Upgraded sound and modern lighting brought new energy to the space. The refresh included a massive interior design update, logo and branding, and relaunched marketing efforts.
Success, ongoing
Once again, RMD Group’s performance exceeded expectations. While most nightclubs peak after Year 2, Side Bar was hitting those same great numbers 15 years later. And after the pandemic, Side Bar surpassed them, registering the most profitable period in its existence.
Side Bar outlasted all competitors by forging a strong brand and committing to a future-focused strategy. Having the right team in place was key, enabling the vision, building the brand, and staffing a focused and driven team. Ultimately, Side Bar was sold to a long-time RMD team member who had been successfully managing the venue for years. It was a dream come true for the buyer and a source of pride for us at RMD to know we were passing the brand to trusted hands.