Think Lincoln, Nebraska suffers from an EDM drought? Think again. The Royal Grove is now an oasis for the rave community.
Until fairly recently, EDM events in Lincoln, Nebraska were few and far between. The Royal Grove is starting to change that. The local haunt may boast nearly a century of history, but it’s gained new life as a hotspot for ravers thanks to its high-profile bookings over the past couple of years.
Major headliners like Flux Pavilion, Steve Aoki, NERVO, and Timmy Trumpet have graced The Royal Grove’s LED-paneled DJ booth, and the team running the establishment have sold out their fair share of shows. This is on top of artists that cater to fans of other genres, including Cuban “Bailando” hitmakers Gente de Zona, US rappers like Yung Gravy and Soulja Boy, and Mexican cumbia band Laberinto.
What, pray tell, brought about this rebirth? In 2023, The Royal Grove came under new ownership. Husband and wife entrepreneurs Alexandru Grigorescu and Violet Rowell had a vision for its future — but first, they had to look at its past and present to determine what wasn’t working.
The Royal Grove Origin Story
First opening in 1933 as a fried chicken restaurant, The Royal Grove was the brainchild of a man named Tommy Jelsma and his wife, Norma. In the early years, bands would occasionally play there. By the ’60s, the music was front and center, with go-go dancers, a swimming pool, and exotic entertainers all adding to the atmosphere.
Jelsma, whose hard work on The Royal Grove got him inducted into the Nebraska Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, finally retired in the mid-2000s. The next owners steered the club in a mostly country music-focused direction, which ended disastrously. After a period of inactivity starting in 2013, the founding member of an indie rock band named Eli Mardock and his wife, Carrie, reopened the space in 2018.
And the grand reopening celebration was headlined by none other than Darude. Yes, that Darude, of “Sandstorm” fame. It was such a successful night that the bar ran out of beer. More importantly, it offered proof of concept for the bold, new direction that The Royal Grove would eventually take.
Enter Alexandru Grigorescu and Violet Rowell
But it wouldn’t be until five years later that the venue would pursue this approach in earnest. It was only when Grigorescu and Rowell acquired The Royal Grove that it started commanding a draw for EDM fans, and the $2.2 million renovation to bring it up to spec undoubtedly helped.
Grigorescu brings with him a wealth of experience in live music from his time renting sound, lighting, and staging equipment through his own production company, not to mention his DJ and producer project, GriG. Rowell, meanwhile, holds down the hospitality side of The Royal Grove, overseeing bartenders, bar backs, and other front-of-house staff.
“For years we provided production for other venues like Bourbon Theatre, The Admiral, and Waiting Room Lounge, setting up at sunrise and tearing down long after shows ended,” said Grigorescu. “I always dreamed of having a place of our own where we could create unforgettable events with the production we built. Owning The Royal Grove has made that dream a reality, giving us the opportunity to elevate Lincoln’s music scene and bring world-class talent to Nebraska.”
And for EDM fans in particular, The Royal Grove has a lot of Lincoln debuts on the horizon. SVDDEN DEATH and ATLiens will all play in the Nebraska capital for the first time ever, cementing its role as a pillar of the local rave community.
Whether you love hip-hop, rock, or EDM, it’s safe to say The Royal Grove is worth a visit. Find out what events are coming up at the venue by checking out its concert calendar.
