South Bay mall throws late-night rave

Let’s meet at the mall — after hours.

For the first time ever on September 5, South Bay’s Eastridge Center — a 55-year-old shopping center that, at its opening in 1971, was the largest of its kind on the West Coast at the time — will be hosting a large rave party, cheekily coined Mallorama.

Organizers are touting the after-hours event, which will take place from 9 p.m. (when the mall typically closes on Fridays and Saturdays) to 2 a.m. the next day in the mall’s center court, as a “takeover at the Eastridge Mall.”

Per a social media post by San Jose Foos, an event promotion brand that appears to be co-promoting the event with Brownies & Lemonade (though Something New, DJ Dials and 15Utah are also listed on the ad), the one-of-a-kind event will be “bringing a full stage, sound, lighting and a secret lineup of DJs you can’t miss” — complete with full staff and security to ensure the night runs smoothly.

“We are so excited to be bringing something so fun and unique to our beloved Eastridge Center right here in San Jose,” the San Jose Foos Facebook page posted on July 28. “This place holds a real special place in our hearts and to be able to do this with you all is a dream come true.”

They then added that those curious about the mall’s general offerings should visit them regularly for the center’s additional events and shops, which include mall staples like Auntie Anne’s and AMC Theatres.

During the event, where instead of shopping til they drop, guests can party hard, the majority of the mall’s stores will be closed, but certain food options will still be available for business.

While would-be guests for the one-night-only shopping center soirée can visit the site Something New Club, which will direct visitors to sign up for presale tickets (which went live at 9 a.m. PT this morning) through text, which will then direct them to the Eventbrite page, the easiest way to snag a spot is to simply visit the shindig’s Eventbrite page directly.

While General Admission Tier 1, 2 and 3 tickets (which were broken down by availability, not event offerings, and had been sold for $48.03, $53.69 and $59.35, respectively and each including site fees) are now sold out, Tier 4 tickets are still available for $65. A “last chance” ticket offering is also listed for $70.66, though sales have not started for this option yet.

Guests must be 21 and over, and a valid government-issued ID is required at the door.

“Experience a night of fun and dancing in your favorite childhood mall,” the zany, neon-green writing on the flyer reads.

The event comes at a time where mall owners are encouraging Gen Z shoppers, many of whom complain of craving IRL connecting experiences, to return to the once thriving community hubs, according to an April writing by Post columnist Lois Weiss. 

“Malls are making a comeback and it’s a younger audience that is doing it,” said R.J. Hottovy of Placer.ai, a site that tracks visits. “It’s a third place that is away from home and office, and instead of just shopping, it is becoming a place for experiences — and hanging out.”