The Observatory North Park

The Observatory North Park

Star Gazing Spot, The Observatory North Park, Is a Must Visit Venue

Located in the heart of San Diego’s biggest hipster-indie-urban neighborhood of North Park is the historic Observatory North Park San Diego. An 1,100 person-capacity venue that hosts concerts of all music types with great sound, and great visuals. Fans of all genres place this venue on their favorites list not because of its air conditioner floors, the platforms strategically placed throughout the pit, or the old chandeliers on the ceiling, but because of the jaw dropping talent that graces its stage every week. 

The Venue

The Observatory North Park was originally a theater primarily used for opera performances. Built-in 1928 as only a 731-seat theater, Lyric Opera San Diego owned and operated the historic building until  2005, when it reopened after extensive rebuilding. In 2011, Lyric declared bankruptcy and ceased its programming. In 2013, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Margaret Mann approved an ownership transfer of the theater to David Cohen, Bobby Jones, and the Verant Group, which owns a number of San Diego restaurants. The North Park Theater was sold in 2015 by the Verant Group to SD Observatory LLC for an undisclosed sum. It has now been announced that ticket-selling mega-giant Live Nation has plans to buy both Observatory venues in San Diego and Santa Ana. 

There’s no doubt you’ve liked an artist or band that’s played at The Observatory North Park. This venue’s got an impressive calendar lined up with shows that’ll be sure to get you rushing for tickets. 

Observatory North Park San Diego
Observatory North Park San Diego
Observatory North Park San Diego
observatory north park
Photo by: Christine Heyne

Tips and Tricks

If you’re not the wait-in-line type, we highly recommend guests to spend a minimum of $20 at the neighboring restaurant, West Coast Tavern. This lets guests skip the line and enter the pit as soon as doors open! Get a delicious dinner or buy drinks with friends and enjoy the show in one of the front rows! It works every time and the ListenSD team has been known to take on this awesome advantage!

Overall, the Observatory North Park is a MUST SEE when going out in San Diego. Catch your favorite band’s show or grab dinner at the West Coast Tavern and see who’s playing that night. Either way, you’ll have a fun time at this iconic venue in San Diego’s North Park.

Words by: Samantha Kaczmarczyk & Ricardo
ListenSD