The building at Fourth Avenue and Island Street, once a centerpiece of Gaslamp Quarter nightlife, has sat dark since Fluxx shuttered its doors after more than a decade as one of the city’s highest-profile nightclubs. During its peak years, Fluxx gained national attention for its high-end production, celebrity DJs, and a revolving-door concept designed to keep the space in constant reinvention. At one point, it ranked among the highest-grossing clubs in San Diego, pulling in millions annually and placing the city on national “top club” lists.
Now, the space is under new ownership, but what comes next remains intentionally open-ended. According to Cline, the purchase includes both the building and the liquor license, though no formal concept has been locked in yet. Rather than rushing out an announcement, the new owners are taking a measured approach, signaling that they’re still in the early stages of shaping what the venue could become. Unlike their dive-bar-heavy portfolio, the former Fluxx site represents unfamiliar territory, and an opportunity to do something different.
Cline noted that the team is actively inviting ideas and conversations from potential partners who may want to collaborate on an events-based or nightlife-driven concept. Rather than imposing a prepackaged vision, the goal appears to be finding the right fit for the space, the neighborhood, and the moment.
That openness marks a contrast from Fluxx’s original run. When the club debuted in 2010, it arrived with a multimillion-dollar buildout, cutting-edge lighting and sound, and an emphasis on spectacle. Over the years, it became synonymous with big-room nightlife in San Diego, drawing both devoted fans and vocal critics as nightlife tastes shifted and the Gaslamp evolved.
For the Waterfront team, whose reputation has largely been built on preserving and thoughtfully updating legacy bars, the former Fluxx property represents both a challenge and a blank slate. In recent years, Cline and Nichols have steadily expanded beyond Little Italy, taking over longtime establishments like Aero Club, Sycamore Den, Werewolf, and Hearth House, often emphasizing continuity, community, and respect for a venue’s history.
Whether that philosophy translates into a revived nightclub, a hybrid events space, or something entirely new remains to be seen. What is clear is that the owners are not rushing to force an answer, and are signaling interest in collaboration rather than unilateral decision-making.
For now, the iconic corner at Fourth and Island remains quiet. But behind the scenes, discussions are underway, ideas are being floated, and one of downtown San Diego’s most storied nightlife addresses appears poised for a carefully considered return, this time under operators known more for longevity than flash.
Originally published on January 29, 2026.
