Bayless Cobb Personal Bio:

Bayless Cobb is a San Diego–based hospitality and real estate operator whose work spans nightlife, development, and experience-driven environments.

Raised in Coronado, California, Cobb was exposed early to the mechanics behind physical spaces — how venues are designed, financed, operated, and sustained over time. That foundation shaped an approach centered on execution, flow, and systems rather than personality or spectacle.

In the early 2000s, Cobb became active in Southern California’s nightlife and hospitality landscape, co-founding and operating concepts that emphasized atmosphere, operational discipline, and repeatable guest experience. AD Nightclub emerged from that period as a focused expression of those principles — intimate, high-energy, and intentionally restrained.

Rather than positioning nightlife as a standalone endeavor, Cobb views venues as living systems — where design, staffing, sound, lighting, and guest movement must work in concert. That operational mindset continues to inform AD’s longevity in a notoriously volatile category.

Today, Cobb’s work extends across hospitality, real estate operations, and development through a connected family of ventures. AD remains a cornerstone project — not as a monument to the past, but as a functioning room built to endure.

Based in: Coronado, California

More Information

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BAYLESS COBB - PRESS

Ranch & Coast - “There’s A Whole Lot Shaking Downtown”

“You’ve started hearing people in L.A. and New York talking about the Gaslamp,” says Bayless Cobb, principal partner and visionary behind AD Nightclub, which opened this summer in the onetime Red Circle space on E Street. “San Diegans have become much more demanding and sophisticated when it comes to culinary and nightlife [offerings]. They’ve traveled to L.A. and Vegas, so they have expectations. They expect ‘A’ level.”

Pacific Magazine - “Join the Club”

Pacific SD: What are a couple of the coolest things that happened at AD Nightclub in 2014?
Bayless Cobb, owner and principal partner: The most amazing thing that happened (this year) was watching the evolution of live performances at our “AD On Wednesday” events. Seeing the biggest-selling recording artists in the country performing in front of sold-out crowds in such a small and intimate venue literally changed everything…

San Diego News Downtown - Posh new nightclubs are upping the energy level

“AD is exquisite [with] exceptional attention to detail,” said Bayless Cobb, principal partner. “Every nook and cranny has something new to explore — even if you come a dozen times, you haven’t seen all the details.”

Eater San Diego - “Religion-Themed New Nightclub Encourages Sinning”

The newest nightclub to descend on the Gaslamp takes inspiration from on high, creating a "modern cathedral"-themed stage , with archways, candles, columns and stained glass, for a nightlife experience that includes theatrical performers, multimedia religious iconography and staff uniforms topped with Roman collars. Owner Bayless Cobb and General Manager TJ Brown.

SanDiego.org - NEW NIGHTCLUBS SPICE UP SAN DIEGO AFTER DARK

AD Club opened its doors in August 2014 and since then has been offering a full nightclub experience with craft cocktails, synchronized areal theatrics, the latest in music, eleven bottle service booths and a small bites menu. The 4,000 square-foot space is decorated with traditional cathedral and religious elements that give the venue a unique bold and daring design. For those who worship food, exclusive dining “pop-ups” events are hosted with popular chefs who create special prix-fix menus for the occasion. AD Club is a creation of Coronado, California entrepreneurs Bayless Cobb, TJ Brown and Giana Loya.

Eater San Diego - “Red Circle Reopening As New Restaurant & Club”

Bayless Cobb, CEO of King Diamond, Inc. tells Eater that he's putting together a "dream team" of collaborators to help transform the 5,000-square-foot space to a stylish, full service restaurant and high end nightclub.