Read the full article by Steph Rodgriguez at RAM’s New Times Magazine
Upstairs from the well-worn stage at Harlow’s, The Starlet Room hums with the energy of a city in transition. Once a DJ-fueled dance floor pulsing with Top 40 hits until last call, it’s now an intimate space for rising national acts — part of a deliberate shift back toward live music.
Sacramento’s nightlife is also in a moment of transformation. As the city continues to grow, so does its after-dark economy, bringing in new opportunities, a creative resurgence and plenty of challenges. From rising operational costs and shifting audience habits to regulatory hurdles and a renewed focus on equity and inclusion — venue owners, artists and promoters alike say they find themselves navigating a scene that’s vibrant, expanding and full of possibilities.
“The growth of Sacramento is a huge factor, and I think that everybody recognizes that the city is growing and is going to continue to grow,” says Rod Elliott, co-owner and booker at Harlow’s. “Now, with growth, come growing pains. … It’s really not that easy. So I think what’s going to happen is, through the growing pains, the cream will rise to the top and you will have a nightlife and an entertainment life that is going to be the best of the best. It just takes time.”