The History of Crocodiles Nightclub

A Legacy Since 1978

Jack Phillips, founder of Crocodiles Nightclub, opened his first nightclub in Turlock California in 1976–The Sports Page Discotheque. After two very successful years, Phillips opened The Sports Page II in Modesto at 1745 Prescott Rd.

Phillips remained in that same location in Modesto, but over the years changed the name and the music format four times to cater to a particular clientele. The Sports Page featured disco music, which was the rage at the time. Succeeding The Sports Page was The Rock Shop, The Pavilion, and finally Crocodiles. Despite the names and formats, dancing has remained the club’s forté.

The club has been Crocodiles since 1991, and offers what Phillips described as “the biggest variety of the best dance music from the past 60 years.” Crocodiles disc jockeys play a huge variety of music, including Oldies, Rock, Disco, Dance, Country, and (something that seems to be harder and harder to find in nightclubs) Slow Romantic Love Ballads. Because Crocodiles offers such a big variety of good dance music, we attract an older crowd that primarily ranges from 25 – 70.

According to Phillips, “We have always been one of the largest nightclubs in all of California with one of the largest dance floors, thus we have always attracted dance aficionados from throughout Northern California. Since first opening, we estimate the club has attracted approximately 2 million customers. We are now enjoying second generation customers. We have customers whose mothers and fathers met at the club.”

New Ownership – Continuing the Tradition

On July 21, 2022, Crocodiles reopened under new ownership. The club was passed on to a family group consisting of Christian and Kasandra Gonzalez, Kasandra’s parents Fernando and Joanna Beltran, and their longtime friends Nicolas Diaz and Roxana Vargas.

Prior to the transition, Christian and Kasandra spent time at the club getting to know its atmosphere, while Guy Phillips remained present behind the scenes. Christian also spent many hours on the phone with founding owner Jack Phillips, learning more about the club’s roots and what it stood for. While their time together was brief, it left a meaningful impression. Jack and Guy were not looking to sell the nightclub to just anyone—they wanted to find the right family who would preserve the culture and community they had built. That early connection helped them feel confident that Christian, Kasandra, and their group would carry the Crocodiles legacy forward with care and respect.

During the first year of ownership, Christian was personally mentored and guided by Guy Phillips, who generously shared his knowledge, experience, and passion for the club. To this day, they remain in communication, continuing a relationship built on mutual respect and a shared love for Crocodiles.

Founding owner Jack Phillips has since passed, but his vision continues to live on through every beat, every dance, and every memory made at Crocodiles. His legacy remains at the core of what the nightclub represents today.

For the first year and a half, Christian and Kasandra led the club’s operations before shifting their focus to family life after welcoming their first child in late 2023. Since then, Fernando and Joanna, who relocated to Modesto, have taken the lead in managing day-to-day operations while Christian and Kasandra continue to stay involved behind the scenes.

The new owners have remained committed to preserving the original traditions and spirit that made Crocodiles a Modesto favorite. At the same time, they’ve made necessary updates to the venue’s infrastructure, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical improvements, to ensure comfort and longevity. In late 2023, Crocodiles introduced Freestyle Friday, a new event that quickly became a crowd favorite and is now held regularly throughout the year.

The heart of Crocodiles remains the same—an inclusive, safe, and fun environment where people come to dance, celebrate, and make memories. The new ownership has embraced modern tools like social media to help connect with longtime patrons and new guests alike, ensuring that the legacy of Crocodiles continues for years to come.

COME DANCE WITH US!