Ibiza has suffered something of a bad image in the UK recently. Caused mostly by 'Ibiza Uncovered' - a documentary filmed for Sky TV, and a few "Shock, shock, horror, horror" stories in the tabloids, much was made of the Brits-Abroad scene of San Antonio's West End, and it's inhabitant's endless quest for sand, sea, sun and sex. OK! So no-one's denying it's existence, but it's not really what the island is all about. Large oasis's of club cool exist is San Antonio, and more so, the islands cosmopolitan & sophisticated capital, Ibiza Town.
Built along the east coast of the island, Ibiza town starts with a cathedral, high above sea level and then slowly cascades down through an old town to a new town and then finally to a marina, which forms a huge semi-circle across the sea front.
The right hand side of the marina, below the cathedral, is surrounded by bars and restaurants offering something between a quiet night out and a pre-club drinking hole of the more sophisticated variety. Behind this strip of civilised drinking, heading right up to the walls of the old town are the major pre-club hang-outs. Consisting of a couple of parallel running streets and a few small squares, the area is laden with shops, cafés, and bars. There's certainly plenty to do here ranging from spending all your money in record and clothes shops that easily rival the best back home, to just watching the crowd go by.
The people in this area of Ibiza Town are colourful to say the least, a good mixture of male, female, gay, straight, the atmosphere is friendly, open-minded and attitude free. Many clubs host carnivals in the street, presenting their most outrageous performers either in an attempt to drum up business for their respective promoters, or to just simply host a 'who can create the most incredible costume/performance' award. Whatever the case it's a sight not to be missed.
Life in Ibiza Town doesn't start early, and most certainly doesn't go at the hectic pace that it does back home. In fact when most places in the UK are closing down Ibiza town is just warming up. The best time to hit The streets is around midnight. Things reach a peak about 1-2 am when everyone saunters off to the clubs.
El Divino's and Pacha are the venues of choice on the Ibiza Town club scene, both situated at the other end of the marina across the harbour. Walking will take about 20 mins and getting a cab about 5. Or if El Divino's is your preferred club, then why not jump aboard the boat that ferries clubbers across the bay to the clubs water-side terrace.
Expect : To use your language skills, meet some new people, go to a party and not to return home for at least 24 hours.
Don't Expect : To meet loads of up-for-it girls and boys looking for lager, a fight and a fling.
Tried & Tested :
Dome Bar - Largest bar occupying a whole square. Gathering place of the glitterati of Ibiza Town.
Bar Zuka - Small bar favoured by cool brits, good DJ's and average drink prices.
Rock Bar - The original pre-club bar of Ibiza town, still one of the best and with views across the bay to El Divino's.
Thai'd Up - Thai restaurant, excellent food and very reasonable.
