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It’s Ibiza, but not as we know it. Like a freaky flashback to the classic 1984 flick Footloose, dancing has indeed been banned on the white isle in 2020. Rather than focusing on what we’re missing however, many of our favourite venues have chosen to evolve in order to keep the island’s music scene alive. Resident DJs, special guests, and live performers have tweaked their acts to suit the current health and safety guidelines in hotels, restaurants and beach clubs and in return, holidaymakers are supporting them by sticking to the strict pre-reserved seating and social distancing policies in place. And while we’re not going to encourage anyone to do a Kevin Bacon in Ibiza this summer, there’s definitely nothing stopping you from tapping your feet, shimmying your shoulders and bopping your head, from the comfort and safety of your seat in our selection of music venues below. As The Village People famously sang, You Can’t Stop The Music…
Many people in Ibiza expected the island’s most iconic beach club may stay closed this season – after all, what is Blue Marlin Ibiza without a party? Fortunately, for lovers of the Cala Jondal venue, the owners have streamlined the concept and the restaurant is open from Thursdays to Monday – with reservations only – and the soundtrack to the afternoon-to-night events dubbed ‘Your Scene’ is provided by resident DJs Bruce Hill and Oscar Akagy. You can still have a sparkler in your champagne and you can still lounge with your friends on a daybed, in a cabana or at a table – it’s a pared-back version of Blue Marlin Ibiza that fans say is definitely better than no Blue Marlin Ibiza at all!
Sven Väth and Solomun may not be reigning over the DJ booth in this Pacha-owned resort in 2020, but Destino Ibiza are offering hotel guests and visitors a more unplugged version of their former incarnation – one that has been welcomed with open arms by residents and holidaymakers alike. By day, it’s all about laid-back poolside sessions with local resident DJs, luxe afternoon lunching with a great soundtrack and views across to Dalt Vila, and by night, live bands such as Hot Ice set the mood for sultry, steamy summer dinners in the Mediterranean restaurant. With a limited capacity, reservations are essential – the new era of Ibiza is all about planning ahead!
A hip new addition to the west coast sunset scene, Hawker Beach Club Ibiza sits in pride of place on the seafront of the popular LGBTQI+ hotel AxelBeach Ibiza. If the taste sensational Latin American and South East Asian street food offering hasn’t already enticed you there, perhaps the sassy daily sunset sessions are the inspiration you need to make the journey to Cala de Bou. DJs spin the soundtrack to your poolside afternoon, as you sip cocktails in a cabana, or with your legs dangling in the sparkling pool. Keep your eyes peeled for special events such as drag brunches with the Tucked Ibiza crew, Flash poolside sessions with DJ Guy Williams and a collaboration with Hed Kandi – the brand that pioneered the fun-in-the-Ibiza-sun reputation. Sure, you’ve got to stay seated, but when the sun’s warming your skin and the DJ’s spinning your favourite song, it beats sitting at home in lockdown.
This season, it’s a little more conversation and a little less action at the legendary live music and day party venue Ibiza Rocks, but as long as you can keep your tush tucked up on on your daybed or your lilo (or on your hotel room balcony), there’s great music to keep your toes tapping seven days a week. With big name special guests including Ben Santiago and Lovely Laura on Sundays, plus Cuckoo Lounge, Colada Club, Sol Society and Applebum resident DJs holding socially distanced court over the pool throughout the week, it’s one of the best alternatives to clubbing on the island. The hotel has also just received the highest Spanish safety certification for COVID-19 protocols and guests have been quoted as saying it’s worth the two-week quarantine back in the UK – now that’s dedication.
Balearic beats and sunsets have always gone hand in hand, and while you can still enjoy a stripped-back version of the classic sunset strip experience at the Mambo Group establishments like Café Mambo and Mint Lounge, it’s all about authenticity at their sister venue La Torre Ibiza, further up the north east coast in Cap Negret. Here is where islanders gather to appreciate the Balearic beats that have been carefully curated by a line-up that is truly the who’s who of Ibiza DJs: Phat Phil Cooper, The Brothers Grim, Andy Wilson, Andy Baxter, Willie Grafff and Balearic legends Pippi and Alfredo. Who needs dancing when you can simply get all misty-eyed as their perfectly cued sunset track coincides with the blazing ball of gold melting into the Med? Reservations highly recommended.
The famous hippie market of Las Dalias in San Carlos is home to the oldest nightclub in Ibiza, and while the club itself remains closed in 2020, the venue has reinvented itself in a clever way that allows visitors to shop, drink and dine to some of the finest sounds on the island. The venue’s favourite soiree, Namaste, provide the soundtrack on Wednesdays, up and coming 80s-inspired event Estelle takes over the decks once a month, Ushuaïa faves Los Suruba serve up some special sounds on Sundays, and one-off guest slots from the legendary Nightmares on Wax and Sasha give islanders a chance to witness some of the world’s best put a low-key spin on things. Reservations essential.
Life has certainly been described in some more unseemly terms than cabaret recently, but for the team behind Ibiza’s most renowned dinner-and-show venue, Lío Ibiza, the show must go on! The Pacha-owned cabaret club has scaled down its offering but most definitely not its performance – guests say this season’s show, entitled Simply the Best, really is the best one yet. The biggest difference to the Lío offering in 2020 is that there’s no hitting the dancefloor after midnight (and the tables are, of course, socially distanced), but the restaurant remains fully booked out night after night – a testament to the calibre of cuisine and cabaret alike. Prior reservations are essential/
If there’s one thing this cruel summer has proven in Ibiza, it’s that you can’t keep a good beach club down. The team behind Nikki Beach Ibiza – on the east coast of Ibiza – have worked hard to streamline their events to be suited to the current health and safety guidelines, and now holidaymakers can enjoy the iconic poolside vibes seven days a week – from the comfort of a day bed or a table in the restaurant, of course. From Monday to Wednesday, Summer Lovers takes place from 12pm to 6pm, and on Friday, the Sintillate crew take over from 11am to 8pm, bringing with them special guest international DJs and entertainment. And finally, the Nikki Beach Ibiza signature event, Amazing Sundays Champagne Brunch is also back in business – now served to your table rather than buffet style, but with DJs spinning beached beats, live musicians and performers. A great escape from daily life.
The ghost of former guest George Michael might be carelessly whispering ‘I’m never gonna dance again’ as he looks over iconic Ibiza hotel Pikes at the moment but just because guests aren’t currently dancing, doesn’t mean they aren’t having a great time. With an all-new restaurant – the candy floss pink Pamelas – becoming the heart of the hotel in 2020, hotel guests, island residents and visitors are being treated to live performances by blondewearingblack on Friday nights, live Flamenco by Paco Fernandez on Saturdays, Un:Tucked drag dinners twice a month, plus plenty of great music poolside during the day, and on the Sunset Terrace after dark. This season, Pikes are even taking their resident DJs out to sea, with Brother Andrew (one half of the Brothers Grim) providing the socially distanced soundtrack to Pikes Sunsets on the good ship Saga Ibiza every Friday evening.
It’s business as usual – minus the dancefloor of course – in 2020 at Ibiza restaurant and party venue STK in Marina Botafoch. The famed steakhouse continues its collaborations with popular British party brands, with special themed events every night including Nuage on Mondays, Candypanys on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Sin Dinners on Wednesdays, Disco Bandits on Thursdays, STK Ibiza Nights on Fridays and the famous Champagne Charlies Brunch on Sundays. As always, you can expect great music and even finer food, and it’s a great excuse to get frocked up in your finest and make a night of it with your friends. Reservations are essential.
The new kid on the block in Ibiza brings a new level of style, service and sophistication to Santa Eulalia, and along with it some cool music events. W Ibiza, situated on the southern end of the promenade, is more than just a five star luxury resort – the space incorporates the Wet Deck, where you can lounge on daybeds and sip on cocktails while enjoying resident DJs by day (day passes are available for non-hotel guests) and W Lounge, where the after dark action heats up from Thursdays to Sundays, with special guest international DJs and local heroes alike. Sundays are all about live music, with local duo Banjaara providing the exotic soundscapes to your sunset – inspired by Dalt Vila, the stairs are covered in cushions ideal for lounging or you can take a seat in a swing chair. Regardless of where you sit, there’s no doubt your shoulders will be shimmying!
While most Ibiza club nights have been sadly forced to abandon all their plans for 2020, The Zoo Project was in a different position to its peers, since technically the outdoor venue is also a restaurant. The team have spent the past few months getting creative, trying to find ways to bring a safe, pared-back version of the events they’ve become so famous for and this week, SHOWTIME by The Zoo Project launches at their home, Benimussa Park. The seated capacity is extremely limited, so only those with pre-sale tickets will be allowed entry, and the ticket price of 70€ per person includes a paella or two drinks, with VIP upgrades available for 100€ and 200€ per person. Expect an open air theatre filled with live performers, artistic acrobats and music that takes you on a journey from the jungles of Africa to the deep Amazon rainforest – if you’ve been missing your dose of clubbing, this is as close as you’re going to get this season.
