Longtime North County San Diego concert venue Belly Up Tavern will manage a new $13 million music venue at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Earlier this month, the board managing the Fairgrounds approved a contract valued at over $16 million with Belly Up to manage the nearly 1,900 seat, 90,000 square-foot concert venue dubbed The Center. Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach has a long history as a concert venue dating back to 1974, where its hosted such acts as Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Rolling Stones, and so many more over its decades-long tenure. Belly Up ownership will oversee booking, promoting, and management of The Center, with frequent concerts and private events to be held at the space.
"Through a competitive bidding process, we sought a highly qualified entertainment promotion and management company to become a collaborative partner with us," said Del Mar Fairground's CEO Carlene Moore. "They’ll be working to bring complementary entertainment and educational programming into the venue, and to have that work in tandem with our other activities taking place at the Fairgrounds as well."
The Center is expected to host approximately 60 shows per year. The contract between Del Mar Fairgrounds and the Belly Up goes through April 2023, with options for renewals on a three-year period at the discretion of the Fairgrounds.
The Center is anticipated to open at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard in San Diego's Del Mar in 2023. For more information, visit delmarfairgrounds.com.
