Tijuana’s Baby Rock was the mega-sized club to party at in the ’90s, attracting big names and big crowds. I remember celebrating a New Year’s eve here once with friends and meandering happily up and down the terraced floors filled with glamorous people.
I don’t think I ever actually saw any of the Arellano-Felix drug cartel clan here, but it was the kind of place that drew people with that kind of money. To prevent problems, patrons were screened pretty carefully for guns and other weapons.
Eventually, other warehouse-sized clubs started popping up in Tijuana, first Tangaloo and then Balak, which created some competition for the stalwart boulder. This summer I noticed that Baby Rock – known for its rock-like exterior – had lost the baby part of its name. This must have happened sometime after I stopped working in Tijuana in December because I’m pretty sure it was still Baby Rock back then. I would be curious to hear other people’s memories of Baby Rock – and what others think of The “new” Rock – which is located five minutes from the San Ysidro border on Paseo de los Heroes (near the statue of Abraham Lincoln).
15 responses so far ↓
caroline // August 27, 2008 at 7:04 pm |
Well, my memory of Baby Rock was going to an opera benefit. Not the typical experience, I guess. And the story of the chandelier that once fell on the head of a kid.
Jaime // August 27, 2008 at 11:42 pm |
One of my memories of La Roca? So many to choose from. I think my favorite occurred during one of the Rock’s anniversary parties. That night we entered the club through the employee entrance because the line at the front door was so long. It was like that scene in Goodfellas. I knew people that knew people back then. Once we were in at the club, we were ushered to our table where a cubeta of cervezas and a bottle of whiskey awaited us.
Later that night I found myself in the VIP room (first time ever in that room) and ran into boxing champion Erik Morales, who was wasted. I saw him leave that night with a girl who was less than championship quality. Ha ha.
Good times.
acearley // August 28, 2008 at 4:57 am |
I forgot about the chandelier incident!
I think Jaime wins the prize for most interesting Baby Rock story to date. If only those rock walls could talk…
Francisco // November 13, 2009 at 5:22 am |
i remember that incident,thats when it actually lost its popularity… i remember going there to party in a black suit,,haha! good old days.. now i just see it from across the street when i go to La Cantina de los Remedios(aka)Guadalajara Grill).
Jorge v. // August 28, 2008 at 9:24 am |
The typography on The Rock’s logo — not cool.
Jamie // September 2, 2008 at 9:41 pm |
When I was growing up in Chula Vista, the radio advertisements for this club were all over the airwaves. I’ll never forget ‘em…
Baby, baby, baby…
Baby, baby, baby…
ROCK ROCK ROCK
I always lamented I wasn’t old enough to go. Will have to try it out now.
Ricardo // June 7, 2009 at 4:35 pm |
Well i will say,it was a nice partying place,we were catered to,and we had girlfriends who lived there,and got us in as VIPs,and yes tequila,whiskey and more just waiting for us to party. but let me ad, those hot chicas,there dont take any crap from each other on the dance floor,one bump or two later,there was a brawl, and let me say they can whoop ass, and after it cleared up,we were taken to other clubs,in penthouses to party, oh what a night.:
,memorys” i wouldnt change for the world. viva la Baby Rock.” LOL” yes id go back. so much fun.
acearley // June 9, 2009 at 3:42 am |
Sounds like a memorable moment, or two, or three….Those spiked heels can be deadly weapons.
SBD // October 15, 2009 at 12:51 pm |
I used to promote a DJ by the name of DJ Taurus. One night I was invited to Baby Rock by some friends and the minute I walked into that club, I wanted to throw a party there. I gave the manager a demo CD of DJ Taurus and within a week I was asked to meet with the owner and manager. At the time, their house DJ only played Hip Hop when the Techno and Trance was the hot thing and they knew they needed to make a change.
I guess I was at the right place at the right time. We started by introducing the electronic music on Friday and Saturday nights for the last 2 hours or so. When they had their 20 year anniversary, the place was packed with people outside begging to get in. We took the opportunity to promote DJ Taurus and EvolutionX which was my night to run the club every Thursday.
I immediately moved the DJ Equipment onto the main stage held up by metal chains. Had a screen put in behind it, and brought in dancers and a laser. We had fire dancers, circe de sole type acts, and a bus that picked you up and dropped you back off at SDSU.
Those were the best times of my life. I was treated like a king, even had my birthday party in the VIP room. I brought in other promoters like Club Naked.
The setup at Baby Rock put most clubs here to shame. The only thing that I could not get used to was the fact the at Baby Rock the VIP section were the tables next to the dance floor. I was told that the VIP’s at Baby Rock wanted to be seen by everyone so everyone knew they were important.
That was fine with me because VIP for me was the entire section of booths right above their VIP which rather than being seen by everyone, instead I could see everyone.
To me, Baby Rock was and still is one of the best laid out clubs I have seen at puts most clubs here to shame any day.
acearley // October 19, 2009 at 6:30 pm |
HI, SBD. I would love to feature your comments in one of my future blog posts! It sounds like you had a real insiders experience with the Baby Rock scene.
Francisco // November 13, 2009 at 5:15 am |
Born and raised in San Diego,i do have alot of great memories of ‘BABY ROCK” in the early 90’s we were here almost everyweekend, came here to see Monica Naranjo,a singer from spain.. it actually lost its high end client when the frame holding the strobe lights fell and injured several people dancing… other clubs were really great during the 90’s were Senor Frogs, zolls,Rodeo de Medianoche and Bananaranas..all these are gone already,,great memories..
acearley // November 14, 2009 at 2:35 pm |
Hi, Francisco. Thanks for sharing the Baby Rock memories from the ’90s! I’ve been to Cantina de los Remedios. That place is LOUD.
Francisco // November 30, 2009 at 4:06 am |
Hi! Acearley. Yeah it is lound! too loud,you have the Mariachi and the Norteno playing at the same time…but its still fun….
acearley // November 30, 2009 at 6:27 am |
Hi, Francisco. Yes – I remember having a really good time there, noise and all. It is definitely a Tijuana experience!
SBD // December 2, 2009 at 7:15 am |
Hi acearley,
You can feature my comments whener you like. If you have any questions let me know. I stumbled across an old online video promotion for EvolutionX at Baby Rock and uploaded it to my YouTube Account.
DJ Taurus Baby Rock 11-2001
SBD