The Roxbury, a celebrated Los Angeles nightclub that drew A-list patrons in the 1990s, will reopen Sept. 13 with a new location in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, the New York Post’s Page Six reported.
Original proprietor Elie Samaha has partnered with Jim Valdez, founder of the Cowboy Cantina restaurant group, to relaunch the venue with what Samaha described as a “bold, contemporary twist” on the club’s original atmosphere. The reimagined space will hold about 400 people and feature floor-to-ceiling LED walls, a state-of-the-art sound system and private lounges aimed at creating a more VIP-oriented experience, according to the report.
Samaha said the reboot is meant to act as “a cultural time machine,” bringing back the energy and style that made the Sunset Strip location a magnet for celebrities while updating the format for modern nightlife. Valdez said the Gaslamp Quarter location, which the partners described as “Nightlife Central,” is well suited to the relaunch and that the team ultimately hopes to expand the Roxbury brand to Los Angeles and New York City.
The original Roxbury operated from roughly 1991 to 1996 and was known for long entry lines and a notoriously selective door. It became a fixture in pop culture: Madonna filmed the “Deeper and Deeper” music video at the club in 1992, and the venue inspired a recurring Saturday Night Live sketch, later adapted into the 1998 film A Night at the Roxbury starring Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan.
The relaunch promises a mix of “retro nostalgia and modern luxury,” with immersive entertainment and a lineup of DJs described as world-class. Page Six reported that the partners are emphasizing cutting-edge technology alongside luxuries such as private rooms and enhanced sound to appeal to both local patrons and visiting celebrities.
The Roxbury’s original celebrity clientele included Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Bon Jovi, Naomi Campbell, Patrick Dempsey, Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington and Clint Eastwood. Fashion and nightlife historians have cited the club as emblematic of early 1990s Hollywood nightlife, where exclusive door policies and star sightings defined certain hotspots.
Ownership and management details beyond the Samaha-Valdez partnership were not disclosed in the Page Six report, and no public schedule of opening-night performers was released. Samaha and Valdez told the outlet they plan to open the San Diego club this fall and to continue developing the concept for additional cities if the relaunch meets expectations.
The club’s return comes amid a broader revival of nightlife venues seeking to blend nostalgic branding with contemporary technology and VIP amenities. The announcement was first reported by Page Six.