Location
The Observatory is located at 3503 S Harbor Blvd
Nights Open
Hours vary depending on the night & show
If you visited the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana a couple years ago, you would’ve been met by cover bands, one-hit wonders or closed doors. It had its moments, of course, but those moments were rare thanks to a lengthy closure and lackluster booking. Enter Jon Reiser, former partner and booker for Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. Reiser purchased the venue and made several significant changes: booked popular acts, upgraded the sound system, added a smaller venue-in-a-venue called the Constellation Room. The Observatory now hosts popular acts such as Method Man , GWAR, Tiesto, Waka Flocka Flame and many, many more. That also includes residencies from local acts. Selling out shows is now a habit for this place. Most of all, it provides a valuable service to the whole county by bringing in acts we could usually only see by driving to Los Angeles. Oh, and it even—gasp!—makes Angelenos cross the Orange Curtain for a show.
- Yost, Sutra, and the Observatory are the go to spots for EDM in the OC.
- The Observatory is more of a venue than a club, though they do have tables and bottle service available.
- The Observatory is 18+ on all nights so the crowd does skew a bit younger.
- There is a patio in the back with a grill.
General Information
Where is The Observatory located?
The Observatory is located on Harbor Blvd in downtown Santa Ana.
How much is cover charge at The Observatory?
General admission at The Observatory will range anywhere from 20 to 60+ depending on the artist. We highly recommend buying presale tickets.
How long will I have to wait at The Observatory?
On busy nights expect to wait quite a bit depending on when you arrive. They oftentimes have security doing body searches which can hold up the line.
When is The Observatory open?
The Observatory is open almost every night, with different shows and performers lined up on each night.
What are the best nights to go to The Observatory?
It depends on which artist you want to see.
What is the dress code at The Observatory?
The Observatory doesn’t have much of a dress code. It’s more of an EDM venue than a club, and a lot of people are dressed pretty casually. On some nights you’ll see a lot of rave gear out as well, espcially since its 18+.
How much do drinks cost at The Observatory?
Drinks are somewhat expensive. Beers can cost 12-14, cocktails 15+.
Is there parking near The Observatory?
There is a parking lot that costs $10. You can also find street parking if you drive away from the venue.
Who are the resident DJs?
The Observatory hosts a wide variety of performers – DJs, Hip hop artists, bands, etc.
What kind of music do they play at The Observatory?
Depends on the night. Thursdays – Electro / House / Trap / Dubstep. Fridays – Top 40, Mashups, Hip Hop, EDM.
Where can I find a list of upcoming events / DJs at The Observatory?
You can download the Discotech app to see upcoming events and book tables at The Observatory. You can also visit The Observatory’s website for a current list of events.