Nightlife Around the World – #3- Ibiza

The vast majority of clubs that open shut down in under a year. If a club manages to stay in business long enough, it is usually indicative that they have some lasting appeal (other than as a temporary participant of the eclectic shifting of trendy hot-spots). Ten years? At this point it is downright impressive that they would be able to adapt their style to multiple generations.

Try 40 years… Now imagine an island full of clubs such as these. Clubs that have continued to update and keep their appeal through countless generations of party-goers the world over. And there you have it – Ibiza.

Ibiza in the summer is synonymous with the word party.  No place on earth has more of a reputation for nightlife and the small island is now a fantasy for clubbers around the world. This legendary tourist spot has come a long way from its hippie roots to cement itself as the premier entertainment capital of the world and a haven for dance music.

One of the largest of the Balearic Islands, Ibiza lies off the coast of the Spain’s Iberian Peninsula in the Meditteranean Sea. Although the northeastern side of the island remains relatively isolated and surrounded by forest, the highlight is undoubtedly the Southern Coast – ringed with tourist resorts and a massive range of bars and clubs and aptly named Ibiza Town. While the beautiful beaches have the potential for a relaxing island getaway, this isn’t going to happen. Not in the summer anyways.  The island is so popular that it draws in young crowds from all over the world for one reason, and one reason alone. To party.

The island’s primary reputation is as the headquarters of electronic music. Ibiza is often attributed as the birthplace of the rave, and it was here that Dance music officially took off. To this day it still lives up to the hype, featuring the premier DJ’s in the world on a nightly basis over the summer, many of whom have regular guest spots and appearances at their own respective clubs. It is not uncommon to see performances by Tiesto, Deadmau5, Armin van Buuren, Axwell, and Gareth Emery, to name a few – all in a single visit. In fact, it is tough to find a DJ who has not spun in Ibiza, and the majority of live recordings that are released take place in one of these clubs. (Click Here to see a list of upcoming shows and events)

The most notable of the clubs are Pacha, Amnesia, Space, El Divino, and Privilege – all of whom compete with each other for title by drawing in the largest names in house and trance and consistently packing the dance floors with massive sound and light spectacles. Privilege was ranked as the world’s largest nightclub, with a capacity exceeding 10,000, where as Pacha is considered one of the most modern and impressive in existence. It has even become a franchise, with clubs in cities all over the world, including New York, London, and Munich, and its own line of magazines.

In addition to the expanse of musical performances and impressive displays, Ibiza is often celebrated for it’s laid back nature (though there have been some recent attempts to limit this). Clubs are open virtually all day and night, and there is never a shortage of places to party or scenes to try. Even within the top clubs, the attitude is often relaxed, with no dress code or requirements. (It is actually recommended to avoid dressing up if you plan to stay by the stage as the clubs are known for their nightly foam parties.) Clothing itself is optional.

The only real gripe is the price (well…and the gradually lowering average age of clubbers) – everything in Ibiza is expensive beyond belief, so plan accordingly.

It is rare that a travel spot is actually able to live up to the hype, but Ibiza just happens to be one of those places. Although it is an ideal spot for a brief getaway, it won’t be easy to stay too long – a shrinking wallet and a waning liver will see to it.

(Image via WayFaring)