Ibiza is considered the world capital of electronic music and clubbing. Every summer the world's most famous DJs play its clubs, and hundreds of thousands of young people come from all over Europe to dance.
A little history
In the 1970s, following the hippies, the first big open-air venues opened, such as Pacha in 1973, Amnesia and Ku, later Privilege. In the 1980s the island's DJs mixed pop, funk and house into a sound called Balearic beat, which some British DJs took back to London, helping to spark acid house and rave culture. Since then Ibiza has been the reference point of the global electronic scene.
The clubs
- Pacha, in Ibiza town, with its twin-cherries logo, the most historic and elegant.
- Amnesia, at Sant Rafel, famous for foam parties and ice cannons.
- Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa, at Platja d'en Bossa: the former an indoor club among the world's most awarded, the latter an open-air hotel-club with afternoon superstar shows.
- DC10, near the airport, a cult venue for underground music lovers.
- Privilege, at Sant Rafel, considered one of the world's largest clubs, and Eden in Sant Antoni.
The club season runs from late April or May to early October, marked by opening parties and closing parties, the most awaited nights. Each club has weekly nights with resident DJs.
Sant Antoni and the sunset
In Sant Antoni de Portmany, the Caló des Moro area is famous for its sunset bars, such as Café del Mar and Café Mambo, where you watch the sun sink into the sea to chill-out music. Sant Antoni's West End is the area of pubs and cheap bars, popular mainly with very young visitors.
Prices and tips
- Club tickets often cost between 40 and over 100 euros, and drinks inside are very expensive: buy tickets online in advance.
- The Discobus and night buses link the clubs with the main towns; taxis are scarce and expensive in summer. Never drink and drive.
- Drink plenty of water, protect yourself from the heat and watch your belongings.
- Remember that drugs are illegal and dangerous in Ibiza, and checks are frequent.
See also glamour and cultural events.