You know what it’s like: You walk into a Downtown festival, nightclub or record shop just as the DJ is transitioning from a song you like into a song you REALLY like. Your head starts nodding, toes start tapping, and before you know it you’re inside the music, guided by that talented person on the wheels of steel!
DJ Dennis Owens
“Great song selection, flow, and the ability to read the room are the hallmarks of a great DJ,” said Dennis Owens, a long-time favorite on the Long Beach DJ scene who has worked huge crowds at Downtown festivals and more intimate gatherings in local lounges. “Technical ability makes those qualities sound even better.”
Tim Hampton (stage name HAMX), who is currently DJing at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York during the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, got his biggest break in Downtown. “DJing in Downtown holds a special place in my heart,” he said. “Playing Sunday night on the Dance stage at Long Beach Pride in front of 5,000 friends and supporters was unforgettable and was a major turning point in my career.”
DJ HAMX
The DJ scene is alive and thriving in Downtown. Meet two mixmasters who make the music magic happen, and check out our guide to some DJ-driven Downtown venues.
JOSE JURADO / RECORD BOX
Record Box owner Jose Jurado
“DJing is at the core of what we do,” said Jurado, owner of Record Box at 324 Elm Ave. and a major player in the Downtown DJ scene. “We provide records for the local vinyl DJs that play around town and we host them as well, here in the shop and at a monthly event on the third Thursday of each month in The Grasshopper at 136 E Anaheim St.”
Jurado, a DJ himself who was born in the Philippines and raised in Orange County, keeps his shop stocked with eclectic vinyl. “Rock, World Music, Reggae, Latin, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Hip-Hop; We’ve got all of it,” he said. The walls covered in cool vintage album covers provided the perfect backdrop for an intoxicating set by DJ Michelle Darling during a recent DTLB Art Walk.
“There’s a DJ scene here, for sure,” said Jurado. “Lots of shops and tons of DJs. The record culture is strong in Downtown.”
DAKIN AURET / FOOT WORK RECORDS, 400 E 3RD ST.
Footwork Records owner Dakin Auret
Auret, owner of the new Downtown shop Foot Work Records at 400 E 3rd St., honed his DJ skills while growing up in South Africa. He sells dance records in a variety of styles but is deeply rooted in House music.
“This store is a space for DJs to not only learn about and buy music, but also a place to play those records in a club-style setting and network with like-minded people,” he said. “Our regular guest DJs create the vibe and atmosphere, making it a special place that is unmatched for ‘House Heads’.”
The ambitious Auret went on to discuss his upcoming ventures: “I am very excited to launch my YouTube channel and online store. The channel will feature monthly large acts, bi-weekly local acts and weekly in-store sets by me. The online store will be for all of the brand new records, offering delivery to the entire nation. You will still have to come into the store for the rare used ones.”
SEVILLA NIGHTCLUB / 140 PINE AVE.
Sevilla Nightclub
Sevilla Nightclub touts itself as the “#1 party destination in L.A. County!” #SexySaturdays feature premier resident DJs playing the hottest Club and Latin hits, EDM, and much more. Party in style with bottle service! Reservations are highly recommended; Make yours here.
AT THE TOP / 105 W BROADWAY
Party At The Top
At The Top in the heart of Downtown offers club nights each month in which you can get rocked by excellent local DJs! EDM-forward Praia At The Top happens on the first, second, and third Fridays of each month; R + D, curated by R & B-loving DJs, which takes place every second Saturday and fourth Friday; and Urban Society, every fourth Saturday, which is one of the very best Hip-Hop parties in town.
CLUB REAL ONES / @ GREY LB, 237 LONG BEACH BLVD. UNIT B
Club Real Ones Party
Club Real Ones has been attracting party people to the Grey LB courtyard for a few years now. No dress code, just real people and real DJs laying down irresistible beats every month. Follow Club Real Ones on Instagram @clubrealones.
MEZCALERO / 525 E BROADWAY
Photo Courtesy of Mezcalero
This great-looking upstairs lounge has a killer DJ schedule: “King Steady Beats” Luis Correa spins all-vinyl Latin sets every Tuesday from 7 to 11 PM; Fridays are “Nativity Music” nights, mixing World Music with the latest hits from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM; On Saturdays you can hear “The Portuguese Lover” play their own World Music/Current Hits mix from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM; and on Sunday afternoons, DJ Glenn Red plays Cumbia, Afrobeat, Soul, and many other genres from 3 to 7 PM.
ALEGRIA NIGHTCLUB / 115 PINE AVE.
Photo Courtesy of Alegria Nightclub
If you love Latin music and excellent DJs, Alegria Nightclub is for you! The nightlife here is sexy and exciting, and the birthday parties are the stuff of legend. Make your reservations here for this Sunday’s RITMO: Labor Day Celebration! Follow Alegria on Instagram @alegrianightlife.
AGAVES ULTRA LOUNGE / 200 PINE AVE.
Photo Courtesy of Agaves Ultra Lounge
You can count on musical, tequila-soaked good times every single weekend at Agaves Ultra Lounge! On Friday nights you can pop bottles with your friends while DJs play your favorite Latin, Hip-Hop, and Top 40; On Saturday nights the musical fun expands to TWO rooms: and on Sundays you can enjoy brunch (with bottomless Mimosas) from 11:30 AM to 2 PM, then stick around for a day party until 7 PM!