District 30 was a downtown Sacramento nightclub located at 1022 K Street, a recurring fixture in Submerge Magazine's nightlife and music coverage between 2011 and 2017.[1][2][3] It functioned primarily as a dance and DJ venue, hosting EDM nights, touring DJ sets, club events, and album after-parties.[4][3][2] The club sat directly across the street from the historic Crest Theatre on K Street.[5][6]
At a glance
- Located at 1022 K Street in downtown Sacramento, directly across from the Crest Theatre.[1][2][5][6]
- Web presence at District30sacramento.com.[7][8][2]
- Phone listed as (916) 737-5770.[7]
- 21-and-over club known for DJ-driven and EDM programming.[9][3]
- Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 9 pm to 2 am, with no cover charge except for special events.[10]
- Documented in Submerge coverage from 2011 through at least 2017.[7][3]
Building and exterior
District 30 occupied a turn-of-the-century building that underwent complete restoration when the nightclub was fitted out, resulting in posh interiors.[5] According to VIPNightlife, the venue's exterior featured a one-of-a-kind glowing LED puzzle art facade best experienced in person.[5]
Role in the scene
District 30 operated as a downtown Sacramento dance club whose programming centered on DJs and electronic music. Its weekly "EDM Thursdays" were described by Submerge as notable for bringing international DJ talent to the heart of downtown Sacramento.[3] The club also ran a recurring "I Heart House Music Thursday's" night, for which Penthaus served as resident DJ.[9]
The venue was used for a range of event types: it hosted album-cycle after-parties for touring acts, multi-night themed events, competitive DJ showcases, charity events, and large New Year's Eve dance parties.[7][2][9][4] Programming skewed toward house, EDM, and DJ-format nights, with both touring headliners and regional/college DJs appearing.[3][9]
Along with Pizza Rock and Dive Bar, District 30 was credited with bringing new nighttime life to K Street between 10th and 11th Streets.[10]
Notable events and bookings
- Dev and The Cataracs after-party (2011): Following Usher's OMG Tour stop at Power Balance Pavilion on May 28, 2011, Manteca-raised pop singer Dev and production duo The Cataracs hosted the official after-party at District 30.[7]
- Black Cards (July 3, 2011): Pete Wentz's post-Fall Out Boy band Black Cards played a live performance at District 30 with a special DJ set by Wentz himself; no cover before 11 p.m.[8]
- New Year's Eve 2011: DJ Serafin, described as a major figure in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas club scenes, spun a mix of house, hip-hop, pop, Bmore, and rock at the club for NYE.[1]
- "Transylvania" Halloween (Oct. 26, 27 & 31, 2012): A three-night Dracula-themed event with DJs Zhaldee, G Squared, and Donald Glaude with DJ Billy Lane spinning on respective nights, plus a costume contest; the club closed at 3 a.m.[2]
- Red Bull Thre3style University (Feb. 20, 2013): A regional college-DJ competition with entrants representing Sacramento State (Jurts, Heartworm), Chico State (T-Roy), University of Nevada–Reno (Kronyak), and Sierra College (Dr. Freezy), plus an opening set by resident DJ Penthaus; winner advanced to a San Francisco final.[9]
- Paul Oakenfold: According to LocalWiki contributors, DJ Paul Oakenfold was among the notable acts to perform at District 30.[10]
- INKDUP drum-a-thon (Sept. 20, 2013): Sacramento drummer Casey Lewis (INKDUP) staged a 24-hour drum-a-thon for cancer fundraising that began in front of District 30 at 5 p.m. and moved inside the club at 10 p.m., where DJ Oasis joined him for their monthly residency.[4]
- New Year's Eve 2014/2015: A NYE dance party with a balloon drop and confetti, soundtracked by Well Groomed, with a $25 cover and a free champagne toast.[11]
- Joyzu (March 23, 2017): Sacramento EDM duo Joyzu headlined a free 21-plus show; the duo noted they had sold out a prior District 30 date.[12]
- Alle Farben (March 16, 2017): Berlin DJ Frans Zimmer, performing as Alle Farben, played the club's EDM Thursday; Submerge's reviewer noted an unusually low turnout the night before St. Patrick's Day.[3]
Recurring nights and residencies
- "EDM Thursdays," a regular night for international and touring DJ talent.[3]
- "I Heart House Music Thursday's," with resident DJ Penthaus.[9]
- A monthly residency by drummer INKDUP (Casey Lewis) with DJ Oasis.[4]
Local vs. touring
District 30 is a physical Sacramento venue (1022 K Street), so artist-style local/touring status does not apply (na).[1][2] Its bookings spanned both touring/national acts (Black Cards, Alle Farben, DJ Serafin) and local/regional Sacramento-area artists and DJs (Joyzu, INKDUP, Well Groomed, and college DJs from Sacramento State and nearby schools).[8][3][12][4][9]