Ross Friedman Launching Unplugged Parties at Area 15 in Las Vegas

At a time when most nightlife moments live on camera rolls, Boston’s 27-year-old executive Ross Friedman is betting on something even more powerful: human connection without phones.

Friedman, whose college side hustle turned multimillion-dollar nightlife company that generated over $2.7M in ticket sales in 2025, is launching his most culture-driven concept yet: Unplugged, a phone-free party series debuting April 3rd at Area 15 in Las Vegas and coming to more cities like Reno, Seattle, and Sacramento.

Recently profiled by Entrepreneur and named one of Success Magazine’s “Top 10 Emerging Entrepreneurs,” Friedman says Unplugged is:

“About creating a space where people can disconnect from what’s going on in the world and really allow themselves to focus on the present moment. When that pressure is gone, people loosen up. The energy feels different — more spontaneous, more connected.”

At every Unplugged event, guests check in at the door and place their phones inside a simple, non-locking pouch (provided by Before The Internet) that stays with them throughout the night — accessible if needed, but off-limits on the dancefloor. Instead, disposable film cameras will be available for purchase, bringing back the anticipation of capturing moments without instantly posting them. The experience is intentionally interactive: DJs are tasked not just with playing open-format sets that blend hip-hop, pop, electronic, and throwbacks, but actively engage with the room in real time.

Designed for a generation craving authenticity, Unplugged Parties strips nightlife back to what matters most – shared experiences, eye contact, and unforgettable nights that live in memory, not camera rolls.

Unplugged Tour Dates:

April 3rd @ Area15 – Las Vegas, NV
April 17th @ Cargo – Reno, NV (join waitlist here)
June 13th @ Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA (join waitlist here)
June 27th @ Q Nightclub – Seattle, WA (join waitlist here)