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A new chapter for Playa d’en Bossa – Playa Soleil

For some time now, the buzzing beachside town of Playa d’en Bossa on Ibiza’s southern coastline has been undergoing a resurgence. While it’s always been a popular tourist hotspot, it’s now transformed into a slick seaside destination that draws a jet-setting crowd – think Miami but in microcosm form. The success of open-air venues like Ushuaïa Ibiza and its late-night sister nightclub Hï Ibiza – along with their accompanying bevy of eponymous hotels and restaurant spin-offs – undoubtedly have a lot to do with the area’s regentrification, and the brand’s expansion on those golden shores looks set to continue with the launch of all-new luxury beach club Playa Soleil.

Set on the seafront at the very centre of the beach (the location was home to Bora Bora in its heyday), this prime piece of frontline real estate has been given a glamorous reinvention, shaking up Bossa’s golden shores for the better. A collaboration between some of the island’s most influential hospitality pioneers, Playa Soleil is a summer oasis where sunshine, sophistication and style effortlessly entwine. The spacious beach club is divided into a series of distinct spaces, each with its own characteristic mood designed to ignite the five senses. Whether you’re chilling out and sunbathing on luxe daybeds, dining with friends and family in one of the many restaurant spaces, or dancing barefoot in the sand to world-class music, this is a place for new memories to be made.

With famed island nightlife promoter The Night League (the brand behind Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa Ibiza’s signature parties) curating its events, Playa Soleil has been popular with the high-glam party set since day one. There are three unique spaces to enjoy spectacular soundscapes within the venue: beachfront restaurant Playa Chica, covered terrace dining space Le Restaurant – described as the beating heart of Playa Soleil, where the vibes pick up around dusk with some of the best international and local DJs – and Maison Musique, the venue’s divine indoor club space where an inspiring selection of electronic musical talent perform behind the stunning carved stone DJ booth with the state-of-the-art sound at the venue’s flagship events all summer long.

Wednesdays belong to the All I Need crew, fronted by island favourite Andrea Oliva, who is joined on a rotating basis by the likes of Nico de Andrea, Cristina Tosio, Afshin Momadi and more. On Fridays, Israeli maestro Guy Gerber returns with his much-loved Rumors party, alongside superstar DJs like Nic Fanciulli, Shahar and Talón. And on Sundays, end the week with Palmarama, where dancing atop sand comes courtesy of an eclectic bunch of invited DJs, with special appearances by big names like Luciano, who kicked off the opening event, and none other than the revered Sven Väth, who’ll be spinning the Playa Soleil soundtrack on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

The beauty of Playa Soleil is that it’s much more than just the sum of its parts. Simultaneously a hub for carefully curated music, food, art and holistic practices, the gorgeous beach club offers a multi-sensorial experience designed to nourish mind, body and soul. It’s a must-visit for the world’s free-spirited creatives, who instantly feel at home in its surrounds. While dusk-till-dawn dancing is de rigueur, it’s the quieter areas of the venue where you’ll discover the new soul, spirit and serenity of the venue, starting with the palm-fringed paradise of Les Palmiers. Here, heavenly Balinese beach beds are designed for pure relaxation – ideal for couples or groups of friends alike – and all you need to do is lie back and order cocktails.

Nearby, Les Dunas is an intimate, shaded premium bar designed to encourage deep conversation and the forging of new friendships, thanks to its concave design and shaded, handcrafted seating. By day, it’s laid-back luxury – by night, firepits add a sizzling ambience. Knowing not all beach days are alike, Playa Soleil also boasts the ultimate beach club hangout dubbed Playa Grande, where hammocks are strewn between palm trees, 80 stylish sunbeds and 50 luxurious double daybeds are lined up to ensure unobscured Mediterranean views, and laid-back tunes spun by talented selectors waft among the sea breeze. Beach kits and safety deposit boxes allow you to relax in style, while the service is no less than impeccable.

Head to Oasis for a peaceful and relaxed dining experience, surrounded by exotic cacti and succulents while gazing out to sea, or for a feast with high vibes, head to Playa Chica, where world-class gastronomy is served beneath bamboo parasols and billowing sails. The beautifully curated menu is an ode to the finest quality, locally sourced and organic ingredients, prepared with precision craft. Snacks at Playa Soleil include decadent treats like plump oysters with caviar and vinaigrette; squid Andalusian style with zesty lemon mayonnaise; and gourmet sandwiches piled high with luxe fillings like Stracciatella and caviar, and Japanese Wagyu with red cabbage and barbecue sauce. Don’t miss the expansive sushi platters or the hearty, traditional paella to share among the table, just add lobster for a luxurious twist.

For the ultimate Playa Soleil gastronomic experience, reserve a table at Le Restaurant, a shaded terrace dining room where Imperial Caspian Osetra Caviar is served with arepas and crème fraîche; marinated Galician rubia beef is sliced thinly like a fine ham; and silky-smooth grilled aubergine is brought to life by cool tzatziki, pomegranate and caramelised hazelnut. Sushi makes the perfect interval on a day spent splitting time between sea and sun, and the Playa Soleil selection is hard to beat. The classic California rolls, made with sweet crab, mango and cucumber are irresistible; the flambé tuna tataki is tender and served with serranita sauce; and the tasty salmon nigiri is a melt-in-the-mouth morsel you’ll never forget.

Days spent lazing on the silky sand are thirsty work so to satiate guests’ thirst, Playa Soleil boasts a menu of exquisite signature cocktails. Mediterranean Dreams pays homage to Ibiza’s abundant flavours, blending Bacardi rums with star anise, orange, cinnamon and pear; the Caletta Express reinvigorates the classic Ibiza drink café caleta by combining it with Zacapa 23 rum, herbal liqueur and fragrant vanilla; and the Fiero Spritz is a refreshing concoction of Martini Fiero, elderflower liqueur, Prosecco and mint. A fine selection of Champagne is also available, as well as fruity-fresh jugs of Sangria, and non-alcoholic smoothies and juices.

Be sure to stop off at Le Boutique, where a veritable treasure trove of hand-picked pieces from island designers and bohemian brands sit alongside hand-crafted organic products – an elevated type of souvenir that certainly eclipses the sarongs and beaded bracelets of Bossa in years gone by. And if you have little ones in tow, they’re also welcome to enjoy the sights and delights of Playa Soleil at Mini Playa – a kids’ club like no other in Ibiza. Open daily from midday until 6pm, children aged between four and nine years old are welcome to take part in face painting, arts and crafts, games and much more as they make new friends from all corners of the globe under the watchful eyes of the expert team.

As Ibiza’s famous sunset begins to take hold of the skies and the horizon blushes, an altogether different atmosphere settles over Playa Soleil. Relaxed vibes make way for excited anticipation, as the line-up of world-renowned international DJs, special guests and exceptional performers take to the stage beneath the Balearic stars. The sound waves rebound across Le Restaurant and Maison Musique – which also features exclusive VIP areas and services – and continue well into the night. A space in which to rest, eat, dance, and soak up all the elements that continue to make the white isle completely unique, Playa Soleil is reimagining Playa d’en Bossa in a new light.

The who’s who of Hï Ibiza

With opening parties signed, sealed and delivered and summer well into its groove, Ibiza 2019 is shaping up to be quite the memorable season. And nowhere more so than at Hï Ibiza, the Playa d’en Bossa super club that’s switched up an already stellar line-up to include even more of the most revered names in electronic music. With slick production, a slew of innovative spaces to explore, and a selection of some of the most anticipated events of the summer, every trip to the white isle should include a sojourn to the island’s shiniest new club. Take heed of what’s coming up and then prepare for a dancefloor all-nighter – no trip to Ibiza is complete without it. One of the biggest pre-season announcements this summer came with the news that international superstar David Guetta would be moving his F*** Me I’m Famous party from Pacha to Hï Ibiza. No doubt lured by the opportunity to breathe new life into an Ibiza classic (after almost a decade, this party still sells out every week), Guetta now takes the Monday night slot at the club, where he not only unleashes his underground alias, Jack Back, for a spin in the Club room, but is also joined by Idris Elba, man of eclectic musical taste and potential future James Bond. Leaving clubbers shaken and stirred, no doubt.

Another eagerly anticipated collaboration comes in the form of a three-pronged dancefloor attack headed by Solardo, CamelPhat and FISHER, a trio of acts brought together as residents for the first time at BODYWORKS. Taking place every Tuesday night from June 25, 2019, expect a gaggle of bouncy, underground tunes and the kind of young, popping dancefloor that breathes life into even the tiredest of feet. Speaking of magical hook-ups, Hï Ibiza mainstay Black Coffee is bringing a whole host of South African talent to the island this year too. He’ll be joined by Da Capo, Culoe de Song, Black Motion and Themba across various Saturday night dates, adding a different dimension to the maestro’s tribal flecked house sound. Those more inclined towards a laser-led, euphoric experience will be delighted by the news that on Wednesday July 31, 2019, bona fide trance legend Armin van Buuren is set to take clubbers on soaring synth journey with an exclusive all night long set, which is sure to leave anyone with a pulse and blood pumping through their veins reeling. Meanwhile, inimitable German DJ and producer Boris Brejcha has signed up for two exclusive shows at the same Hï Ibiza party, taking over from van Buuren’s spinning duties in the Theatre on Wednesday August 14 and Wednesday August 21, 2019.

And the not to be missed, one-off appearances at Hï Ibiza don’t end there. London’s hottest female rapper Stefflon Don is leading the charge at RICHBITCH on Monday August 5, 2019. Having shot to fame with her single ‘Hurtin’ Me’ featuring French Montana back in 2017, she’s widely considered the UK’s very own version of Nicki Minaj, a comparison worth checking out for yourselves in person. Elsewhere, and Virgil Abloh – artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, fashion designer, DJ, and man with seemingly endless talents – is set to lay down some tunes alongside Black Coffee on Saturday September 21, 2019. Wear your finest garbs for that one. In other news, some of the world’s most revered female DJs are maintaining Afterlife’s foundations as one of the biggest parties on the planet. Belgian DJ Amelie Lens stops by Hï Ibiza on Thursday July 4, and September 5, 2019, so expect thunderously wild beats from her; Nina Kraviz takes over the Club on July; Tijana T takes control of the Theatre on August 8; ANNA rolls in with her usual thumping sass on August 22; and much decorated techno queen Ellen Allien lines up alongside Rachel Lyn for Afterlife’s penultimate party of the season on September 26, 2019.

Last but not least, it’s worth noting that Glitterbox, in all its sparkling, sequinned, feel-good glory has now moved from Friday nights to Sunday nights at Hï Ibiza, polishing off the week with the kind of giant, shiny disco ball it deserves. Headliners include the usual bunch of disco and house loving legends – Dimitri From Paris, Simon Dunmore, Kenny Dope, Basement Jaxx, Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez, Nightmares on Wax, and Armand van Helden are all regulars, but the date to really look out for is the closing party on Sunday October 6, 2019, when superstar of the scene Louie Vega digs deep into what’s surely a never-ending collection to see out the season with a bang. Expect a tapestry of beautiful old school sounds for this one. A diverse selection of parties fronted by some of the most musically talented individuals from all around the globe – Hï Ibiza’s summer 2019 schedule has something for every musical taste. Bounce around to house, lose yourself to techno, shake your stuff to rap and reggaeton, and in the process discover what clubbing in Ibiza is really all about.

Visit the White Ibiza clubs guide to read more about Hï Ibiza
Openings, openings and more openings

For centuries, hedonism has pulsed through Ibiza’s veins. In the past, it presented itself in the form of the Carthaginians, who chanced upon this majestic island in the Med and settled here, devoting their worship to Tanit, goddess of life, love and fertility, and Bes, god of dance. In the 1930s, it became home to creatives fleeing oppression, for whom expression was the source of rebellion. In the 1960s, free-spirited hippies followed suit, bringing with them the unmistakeable beat of a pleasure-seeking drum. And today, holidaymakers from across the world are drawn to Hï Ibiza, where the dancefloor facilitates a special kind of release that brings most to the verge of euphoria.  

Located in Playa d’en Bossa, a bustling resort town on the island’s south-east coast, HÏ Ibiza is the white isle’s newest and sleekest club. With world-class production in each of its two main rooms – the Theatre and the Club – and a sound system that delivers a sonic explosion with every drop, in the short time it’s been open, Hï Ibiza has become Ibiza’s must-see raving space. Add to that mix a range of show-stopping parties that cater for every taste and a line-up of the world’s most recognisable DJs and it’s no wonder clubbers still descend in their droves.  

Every summer a strong sense of anticipation surrounds the club opening party announcements – people simply can’t wait to discover where this clubbing journey will deliver them next – and Hï Ibiza was the first club off the ranks to announce its official opening party. This year, the club is teaming up with sister venue Ushuaïa Ibiza to host a 24-hour season opening that’s set to return to Ibiza’s glory days, when parties lasted all night and then continued long into the following day. Entitled Odyssey, the day begins at Ushuaïa Ibiza at midday on Saturday May 18, 2019, where the sun will beat down on smiling faces and tunes will fly on the breeze courtesy of Tale Of Us, Peggy Gou, Richie Hawtin, Stephan Bodzin (live), Paul Kalkbrenner (live), and more. Then as the clock strikes midnight, the action heads indoors over the road at Hï Ibiza, where the marathon continues for another 12 hours and some of the most sought after underground acts on the planet have been confirmed to appear – this is your chance to get to grips with Damian Lazarus, Richie Hawtin and ANNA. Odyssey looks set to be an opening party to remember.

Once the season has been officially kicked off, HÏ Ibiza’s summer 2019 schedule, which features the crème de la crème of electronic music talent and a slew of new names alongside the club’s longstanding residents, is next to be rolled out. The club has confirmed the return of its superstar Saturday night resident, Black Coffee, who’s back to get the weekend off to the best possible start from Saturday May 25, 2019. The South African maestro has become synonymous with the creation of perfectly curated sets and in the two years he’s held the fort at Hï Ibiza, he’s provided some of the most memorable clubbing moments in recent memory. Expect plenty of soul-rousing, spirit-lifting tunes — this is one of the most popular parties on the island for a reason.

Summer 2019 also sees the arrival of one of the most famous DJs in the world at HÏ Ibiza, when David Guetta moves his ever-popular F*** Me I’m Famous! party to Hï Ibiza from Friday June 7, 2019. A modern-day Ibiza institution and a guaranteed sell-out, fans of VIP glamour and glitzy vibes will be right at home here. This shift in the schedule means feel-good favourite Glitterbox has moved its disco and house sounds to Sunday nights from Sunday May 26, 2019, but don’t worry, excess sequins, ferocious drag queens and bundles of confetti are all still included as part of the deal.

On Wednesdays, the trance candle burns bright thanks to the killer combination of Armin van Buuren and Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, who merge the genre’s past, present and future in front of an often awe-struck crowd. This trio is in action from Wednesday June 12, 2019. Meanwhile, the Tuesday night slot goes to brand new party BODYWORKS, which brings together three titans of the underground scene: CamelPhat, Solardo and FISHER. They’ll be bringing their fresh new sounds to Hï Ibiza from Tuesday June 25, 2019.

In the wake of a successful summer at Hï Ibiza last year, Afterlife returns every Thursday. Expect to fall into the dark abyss of techno each week and to be lost in the sounds of Ben Klock, Maceo Plex, Mind Against, Marcel Dettmann, Rødhåd, Stephan Bodzin (live), Tale Of Us and Vaal at the opening party on Thursday June 27, 2019. And finally, RICHBITCH moves to Playa d’en Bossa this year, bringing its definitive hip-hop, r’n’b and reggaeton sounds along for the ride. If bass is your thing, Monday July 15, 2019 is the date for your diary. Hedonism is alive and well in Ibiza – look no further than Hï Ibiza to find it.

Visit the White Ibiza clubs guide to read more about Hï Ibiza
All night long

I still really love music, I still really love nightclubs and I still really love dancing, but these days, halfway through my 11th Ibiza summer, I have found I prefer to pick my parties wisely. After all, life has changed. I’m ten years older (and perhaps those former partying years have taken their toll!), quite possibly a little wiser, and I have many more responsibilities by day that just aren’t really easy to bumble through with no sleep or a raging hangover. Editor’s note: You may remember an earlier blog post where Miss W talked about pre-planning her party experiences and being clever enough to pre-organise a day off when she needs it. She also talks about spontaneity but we know she hasn’t been raving since. As things go, I haven’t been out all that much this summer (yet!) and today I had the pleasure of bumping into one of my favourite Frenchmen – let’s call him Mr G – ohhhh what the heck, let’s ditch the pseudonyms for once and actually drop a name where it’s deserved – Dan Ghenacia. So there I was, talking to Monsieur Ghenacia – one third of the Apollonia trio and king of the DC-10 terrace – and I was instantly inspired to book Friday off work, dust off my favourite party boots and drink plenty of matcha because he reminded me that tomorrow night is one of the most hotly anticipated parties of the summer (my words, not his – he’s far too humble). Apollonia taking over ‘The Club’ at Hï Ibiza, ALL NIGHT LONG.

All night long sets are a rarity for DJs these days, with promoters trying to jam-pack as many headliners in to a short clubbing session as they can in order to appeal to as many people as possible. But over the past few years, Apollonia have really made (an even bigger) name for themselves as all night long specialists, renowned for their back-to-back-to-back epic sets in places like the mighty Amnesia terrace for Music On (giving Mr Carola a run for his money), their own nights at DC-10 and the open-air stage of Ushuaia. Their ‘all night long’ sets are gaining quite a cult-like following here in Ibiza and this gig in particular sounds as if it is going to be the stuff legendary Ibiza parties (and FOMO) are made of. So jump on the Apollonia all night long bandwagon I shall tomorrow night. The thing is, it’s hard not to feel inspired to dance all night long when you hear one of the artists speaking so passionately about the experience. Mr G compared the gang’s extended set time to a hypnotic experience. “You can do a short set in a festival or a big club room and get straight to the point,” he said. “But this is another exercise entirely. I prefer it… it’s almost like going into a state of trance, when I don’t feel the time, I never look at my watch and when the night is over, I don’t have any feeling of wanting it to end. It’s only when the music is turned off that you start to get tired.” I mention the Apollonia penchant for ‘all day long’ after parties, following such sessions and Mr G gives a wry smile. “When the music comes back on, our energy comes back too. But we know our limits.”

It makes sense really, given there are three artists within the collective that they each need, or deserve, extra time on the decks. When I asked him how much preparation and discussion goes into planning such an extravanagza, Mr G surprised me with a resounding: “Zero.” Say what? “It just works between us,” he explains, and it’s true that he, Dyed Soundorom and Shonky are so close (musically and personally) they almost seem to have some type of telepathy buzzing between them. “The only thing we try to do is make sure it’s not the same as our last all night long set. We never get bored.” Dan says he is constantly inspired by his teammate’s musical choices, as they buzz and bounce off each other’s selections – sometimes as if their thoughts had been steaming in the same direction, other times a welcome surprise challenge to arise to. Boring is definitely one thing Apollonia could never be called. These three best friends are pretty much living the Ibiza dream: playing their favourite music as they hold court to thousands of people in Ibiza’s hottest new superclub (“We feel so honoured to do this party,” Dan humbly admits. “The club is amazing, full of technology.”) all night long. “We still get excited,” Dan tells me when I ask him about their obvious camaraderie. “And when we’re excited, the people see it and they get excited too.” Something special this way comes, my dear readers. If you’re here in Ibiza, I suggest you block Friday out of your calendar and come and join me on the dance floor at Hï Ibiza tomorrow night… All. Night. Long. Just remember to set your out of office before you leave, because when I asked Mr G about the possibility of an after party, he just winked and said I’d have to wait and see.

Visit the White Ibiza clubs guide to read more about Hi Ibiza
Say hello to Hï Ibiza

It got a little more interesting when Hï Ibiza unveiled their name and logo with little teaser video back in February. DJ residencies began to be announced in the more recent months and weeks, and then in the week leading up to the main event, daily countdown memes and custom hashtags made it impossible not to pay attention: the new kid had finally arrived in town. What was surprising over the last six months however, was just how few details had leaked about the design and decoration of Hï Ibiza. Knowing the marketing geniuses behind it (here’s one they prepared earlier: Ushuaïa – see what I mean?), there must have been some hefty confidentiality agreements in place there! So, when last Sunday, the Hï Ibiza Opening Party rolled around, I for one was dying to get in there and see what they’d made of the space once considered clubbing mecca.

First impressions: I’d arrived at the Disneyland of clubbing. And I mean that in a good way – anyone who knows me will tell you I am a big fan of Walt, Mickey and co. Gone is the asphalt car park and in its place a big, clean and well-lit welcome area, complete with oversized logos and hashtags (in case you forget!) perfect for about a gazillion Instagram moments this summer. You know that’s a selfie box people are going to want to tick – especially since the famous Eivissa sign was removed from the airport – though you may even need a wide-angle lens, as the sign is so big. A seamless entry experience meant everything got off on the right foot – no queues, swift entry, friendly door staff and smiling security. Are these the faces of Ibiza’s clubbing future? And when I stepped inside, I must admit, I was really surprised. I’d envisioned oversized neon lighting (a la Disney) and imposing VIP sections, or alternatively, I kept thinking I’d be walking into the old school sunset terrace but I was pleasantly surprised to find myself surrounded by a square shaped little room made up of big, black imposing doors, one of which was ajar, and once you poked your nose in you were greeted by the merchandise store. Obvs.

All of a sudden – I lost my bearings. As a former Space worker, I felt like a fish out of water. I knew right then, right there – I would have to abandon any sense of ‘the old space’ and simply get accustomed to ‘the new space’. It was like Alice falling down a rabbit hole – the doors almost seemed to say ‘push me’ (well, technically they kind of did, as each door has a pair of hands emblazoned on it to encourage punters to do just that) and I even had butterflies as I chose which ones I would push first… My initial choice led me into the futuristic ‘Theatre’, where ‘man of the Space closing match’ Paul Reynolds was warming things up nicely for Bedouin, who I was very much looking forward to seeing on a big stage. The production is mind-blowing, including super cool LED screens that cascade down from the roof to the stage reminiscent of a ribbon – something that created some pretty mesmerising effects as the evening went on. The dancefloor was completely flat and I swear, it was some kind of special ergonomic tiling as it just felt so good to dance on.

Next up, it was time to check out the Magic Garden for the obligatory shot of tequila in the venue’s dedicated shot bar. Completely open-air, and minus music, this is a great place to chill, unwind, make phone calls and (if you are that way inclined) smoke (not that I would ever encourage you to – gross). A little bit Burning Man-esque, with beautiful tree-like structures made out of twinkling lights and the stars shining brightly above… a beautiful backdrop to the planes flying in overhead. Back to the business of dance music, we went back indoors to check out the ‘Club’ however as we made a beeline towards the entrance, it was the huge throng of people swarming into the toilets that caught our attention – welcome to Wild Corner, the room that stole the show! Each side of the room is lined with loos – unisex – and in between is a DJ booth and dancefloor, where the Melon Bomb crew were winning hearts with their disco, funk and house grooves. Surely inspired by the legendary toilets of Manumission, it felt to me that this is going to become the local’s hangout at Hï Ibiza, boasting authentic back room vibes and a strong resident crew. My only slight misgiving about this room is, with a whole lotta toilets and a throbbing dancefloor in between, it makes the sinks (at either end of the room) a little hard to access… perhaps a little ‘un-hï-genic’! Nothing a few strategically placed bottles of hand sanitiser in each cubicle can’t fix before this weekend’s Black Coffee Opening Party.

After all the action in the toilets, we needed another break from the action, and this time it was the Secret Garden that drew our attention. Only accessible with a special wristband (thanks Miss L!), it was another Burner’s paradise, this time with chillout teepees surrounding the sparkly trees and flocks of music industry folk engulfed in huge puffs of cigarette smoke. Back indoors, the ‘Club’ room was totally full, with Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa darling Andrea Oliva playing back to back with Davide Squillace. The room felt a lot more intimate than it had in its Space days, as Hï Ibiza have lowered the roof, added all new lighting installations and brought the DJ booth down to eye-level (previously I needed to stand on tip toe if I wanted to know who was playing!). All of a sudden, I realised something – where were all the VIPs? In the lead up to the opening, rumours were rife that 65-percent of the club would be dedicated to high rollers but I felt that it was more front-and-centre clubber friendly than ever.

It turns out, the VIP areas have been cleverly designed to blend in around the edges and on mezzanine levels in each room (minus the Magic Garden), with plenty of space and service and toilets to call their own. It seems everything at Hï Ibiza is perfectly balanced – there’s no visible hï-erachy or great divide between tables and the dance floor. There’s simply a perfectly designed place for everything (and everyone) and everything is in its place. The entire opening party felt like the beginning of a wonderful new era in Ibiza clubbing. To be perfectly honest, I thought I’d hung up my well-worn clubbing boots when Space Ibiza closed, but there they were, still on the dance floor at 9am while Apollonia provided the soundtrack and the sun was streaming in the windows as regular folk were on their way to work outside. Oh dammit – work. I knew I had something to do on Monday morning other than dance all day! Looks like I’m just going to have to get used to rearranging my schedule to start late every Monday morning for another year after all.

Oh hi, Hï Ibiza

Oh hi, Hï Ibiza! Welcome to our world… So apart from officially discovering the club’s name, clocking its logo and watching the slick promo video that came with news of the launch, we’ve still got plenty to be intrigued about when it comes to Ushuaïa Entertainment’s newest venture. The biggest question of course – when is the opening party? The next obvious ones – what will the club programming be like? Who will be the DJs with residencies? And (from nostalgia fans and lovers of evolution alike) what exactly have they done to the club that was once so revered?

All in good time, dear readers. If there’s anything we’ve learnt about the Ushuaïa marketing team over the past few years it’s that they’ve always got a vision. They are creative when it comes to concepts and artwork and outlandish and OTT when it comes to production (oh, and let’s not forget witty – ‘Let’s Dants’ has to be one of my favourite ever billboards). Here’s what the pretty darn cool video shows us. A dreamlike, nonsensical sequence featuring fox heads, Es Vedra, cow skulls, confetti, artsy statues, smoke machines, watermelons, a Land Rover Defenders, a whole load of vinyl, swings, dancers, creepy masks, tongues… Oh hey – why am I trying to put it into words? Why don’t you watch for yourself here?

And here’s what the official press release tells us for now (my sincere apologies to those who have read this 3000 times already today, but I’m just covering all bases for those who may have been busy, I don’t know, WORKING or something like that all day!). Hï Ibiza ‘aims to unite the highest standards of music and entertainment, bringing world class music experiences to a club designed with the dancer in mind’. Does this mean more dance floor, less VIP? Time will tell. Hï Ibiza is a ‘state of the art club that will showcase the most exciting names in electronic music throughout the summer, from the biggest stars in the scene to the leading lights of the underground’. Vague, to say the least. It also plans to ‘stay true to the open-minded spirit of Ibiza’ and continue the ‘island’s legacy as the party capital of the world’. Well that’s just delightful.

Last of all, here’s what I think we need to remember. Hï ibiza is not ‘the new Space’. It’s not really ‘the old Space’ either – it just so happens to be sitting on the same piece of prime clubbing real estate. It also sits opposite another prime piece of clubbing real estate which happens to be owned by the same people and so given that Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Club is a day venue and Hï Ibiza sounds like it’s going to be a night venue, it wouldn’t surprise me if a bridge or tunnel (or perhaps both) is built between the two, making the pilgrimage from one to the other a new summer ritual (who remembers going from Manumission to Carry On at Space? Like that, minus the disco bus. And probably also without the sex shows. But who knows?). Since the news was announced a few hours ago, it seems that everyone and their cats already have an opinion about Hï Ibiza, and I for one am excited to see some changes in clubland. And now that the rumour about the name has finally been put to rest, can we please move onto something else now? Suggestions on a postcard please.