Ibiza, also known as the "White Isle" (for the numerous white buildings around the island), is known first and foremost as the home of trance dance music. So obviously there is an amazing nightlight on the island. Every summer, around June, all the clubs start to have their opening nights and this continues through August and sometimes into September. Included amongst these clubs are various bars that serve as pre-party locations for the nightclub parties which start later in the night (don't even think about going into the main clubs until midnight). The main clubs on the island are the Pacha (a very posh club located in Ibiza town, my favorite club in the world), Privilege (the largest club in the world), Amnesia (which has been ranked as the #1 dance club in the world), Eden (nice club that features crazy lighting effects and some less trancey music), Es Paradis (home of the world famous water party), Space (home of Carl Cox), and El Divino (a smaller club located on the water at the Ibiza harbour). All of these clubs will be addressed throughout this post. I've been to most of them during my 4 visits to Ibiza and they have provided some great memories.
The first thing you should know about Ibiza clubs is that they each feature a special party nearly every night of the week. Some are better than others. For instance, the opening and closing parties are oftentimes blowouts which feature some of the hottest DJ's such as Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, and Pete Tong. Thursday is often considered the biggest night. However, the other nights are solid too. These parties include Monza at Privilege, Pure Pacha at Pacha, and Armada at Amnesia (featuring Armin Van Buuren, the current #1 DJ in the world).Next, you should know that the clubs are not all located in Ibiza town itself (however, Pacha and El Divino are located in town). There are basically two sides of the island: Ibiza town and on the other side, San Antonio (not to be confused with the city in Texas). Nearby Ibiza there is Playa den Bossa, we stayed here last summer and it was a great place to stay. Playa Den Bossa is considered a more family oriented and quiet place to stay that allows you to escape from the club scene when it's time to sleep. San Antonio is considered the more wild part of the island and don't expect to find much peace and quiet over there (especially at night). However, San Antonio is where the action is so you may want to stay there if you want the purely wild Ibiza experience. Don't expect to come to Ibiza to catch up on your sleep regardless of where you stay. Most of the clubs don't even open until 11pm-12am and the main DJ's oftentimes don't come on until 4am (no that's not a typo they really don't go on until 4am).
Lastly, it's much cheaper to get drinks before you go to the clubs rather than in the club itself. Outside at the smaller bars such as Cafe Del Mar and Cafe Mambo. In the club it costs 10-15 euro for a drink whereas outside it is more like 5.
As a side note, you don't have to love dance music to love Ibiza. In fact, in recent years the island has started to feature numerous other types of music, such as American hip hop and classic rock in the clubs. The newer clubs such as Eden and Es Paradis often feature these types of music. Also, Ibiza has some of the most magnificent beaches in the world. Also, Ibiza features what many consider the best sunset in the world at the famous and original Cafe Del Mar. So, come along with me to the best travel location in the world: Ibiza.
For further information see this great site:
http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com/
Top 10 places to party: the Clubs!:
1. Pacha (Rating: 9.5)
Location: Ibiza Town
Dress: Nice to very nice. For the girls, low-cut and tight is encouraged. However, you can go more conservative as long as it's nice. White clothes are encouraged and you will not feel out of place if you come dressed up. For men, long pants and a button up shirt will work, as long as you unbutton at least two buttons on the shirt. You could also do a suit but don't go with a tie.
Ambiance: Very posh and classy.
Music: Pacha has been providing some much more eclectic sets in recent years which the Pacha Classics Mix which had some American classic songs remixed and some trancey stuff as well.
Cover: 50+ Euro
This club is one of the oldest and best clubs in the world and it has only gotten better with age. At any given night you can find a variety of world famous DJ's at this club and the dress code is as nice and sexy as possible. When you walk into Pacha, it seems like a small grotto-like area but as you explore you realize that that the club is vast. Right at the front of the club you should look to the right to find the smaller Global Room which features some eclectic mixes. For instance, when I went there in 2007, I heard an old school, American rap music in this room, and it was amazing. Moral of the story: don't always expect to hear all techno music in the clubs.
As you continue walking you come to the world famous main room at Pacha. This room often features chandeliers and other elaborate decorations which change to match the party they are having on any given night. As you walk up the stairs there is an upper bar area to go with the lower bar in the main room.
There is also a smaller room upstairs for a more toned-down experience. For this room, picture the "House of Blues" with a much more European flair. Also upstairs is the terrace which is only open on certain big nights (it wasn't open for Pacha Classics but it was open for Pure Pacha when Pete Tong was there). All in all, this club is easily one of the best in the world and it's my favorite so I'm biased!
Here's a video from last summer at Pacha Classics:
2. Amnesia (8.5)
(on the road between Ibiza town and San Antonio)
This club has some of the biggest nights of all time. For instance, I went here in 2003 and the lineup was: Paul Oakenfold from 12-2am, Tiesto from 2-4am, and Paul Van Dyk from 4am-6am+ (see video below). If this DJ lineup doesn't wow you I don't know what will. This night was an amazing night and it was at their party called "Cream." During the show and at the highest build in the songs they would turn on the largest dry ice cannon in the world (notice this biggest in the world theme on the island) and you couldn't seen anything for about 3-4 minutes. This was an amazing night for me personally.
As far as the interior of the club itself, Amnesia has features two large rooms. The main room has one of the craziest sound systems in the world which includes numerous 8 foot subwoofers. There is a second room which is massive and feels like being in a large factory-type room. I prefer the more intimate feel of Pacha over this industrial vide but that's just a personal preference.
Tiesto and PVD at Cream circa 2003:
3. Eden (8)
(San Antonio)
Cover: 30-50 Euro
This club is a lot of fun and very impressive inside. It has a massive lighting system which has some really wild effects. Pete Tong has a night there which is very big called "Wonderland." This night is highly recommended. As far as layout, this club consists of two stories and has a large main room. Also, there are two relatively large side rooms. This is a great club that's fun and not too expensive to get in.
4. Privilege (7)
(on the road between Ibiza town and San Antonio)
This club is known as the largest club in the world and this is mainly due to its truly massive main room. The DJ booth is actually surrounded by a moat believe it or not and the sound system is pretty impressive to fill this huge room. There is an outside terrace and a few side rooms. Tiesto has a night here now which is apparently very awesome. This club is definitely a sight to see at least once but it's not one that has a particularly endearing feel.
5. Es Paradis (6.5)
(San Antonio)
I haven't actually been to this club but I've heard the water party is amazing (ie water pours down from all around and covers the dancefloor). The club is shaped like a huge pyramid and apparently looks like a Roman bath house inside. They have an eclectic selection on many nights.
6. El Divino (6.5)
I rate this one highly because it has a nice restaurant that is located on the water. Their food is good but stay away from the desert. The club can be nice if they have the exterior open but it's kind of weird scene inside. The club is much smaller than the others and it's generally very cheap to get in.
7. Space (6)
The Carl Cox night is reportedly very cool and this is located close to the airport and the planes actually fly over this open-air club. They have a signature party on Sundays which doesn't even start until like 6am.
8. Manumission Club (6)
This is an offshoot of Privilege and it's actually a party that Privilege used to have that was comparable to Cirque du Soleil with techno music. This is in between a club and a bar but I would consider it a club b/c it's two stories tall and has some pretty nice drinks.
9. Ibiza Rocks (N/A)
This is a hotel that has some club elements at night. They do some live rock shows here and it's a nice place to get away from the techno if you want to do so (although I couldn't imagine why).
10. Boho (N/A)
This is a new club that has taken the place of the old club Extasis. Don't expect anything amazing aside from good prices and something new.
Where to Stay:
1. Sirenis Hotel Goletta (8.5)
Although not a five-diamond resort, this is by far the nicest hotel that I have stayed at during my stays in Ibiza. They offer complimentary breakfast in the morning. This isn't just your normal crappy continental, euro breakfast, this is a full-fledged breakfast with omelettes made in front of you, pancakes, various juices, etc. Also, there are two large outdoor pools, a nice spa with a pool, and a private-ish beach area.
Where to Eat
1. Cafe Del Mar (9.5)
This place has one thing that is simply the best, most amazing thing in the world...the greatest mojito ever. Now, you might think that you've had a better mojito but you would be sorely mistaken. You haven't truly lived until you've had a mojito from Cafe Del Mar.
Also, picture this: chilled out dance music plays as you look out over a beautiful bay with 100's of beatiful Balearic people from Ibiza. As the sun sets it casts a long ray of light out across the water. Paragliders fly by the sun as it grows larger and gets lower in the sky. As the sun finally enters the surface of the water is looks like a large orange being dipped into the ocean. After the sun finally sets, everyone cheers as the night is about to begin. As everyone finishes their drinks they get read to head out for a long night of clubbing. This is the typical beginning to a great Ibiza night at Cafe Del Mar and the Sunset Strip, if you haven't experienced this then you haven't truly experienced Ibiza.
2. El Divino (8)
Nice but expensive restaurant in Ibiza Harbour. This is located on the outside porch of the El Divino club and it's difficult to get in at times so make a reservation. The views of the water are great and it's a nice place to watch the yachts come into the harbour. The portions are generous. The entree, appetizers, and wine were good but the desert was sub-par.
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