Lima APR-08.R5-2
Transcription
Lima APR-08.R5-2
Passport Cover May 2012_Passport Cover Mar 2011 4/9/12 1:56 PM Page 1 TRAVEL • CULTURE • STYLE • ADVENTURE • ROMANCE! PASSPORT GREAT WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS IN WHAT’S NEW IN TEL AVIV NEW YORK INSPIRING THE VIP LOUNGE AMSTERDAM GAVIN CREEL INSIDER’S GUIDE PALATE-PLEASING WASHINGTON DC MAY 2012 USA $4.95 CANADA $5.95 + CITY FOOD TOURS 15 HOT HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS! IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 58 58 PASSPORT I MAY 2012 IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 59 THE PARTY ISLAND? IBIZA by Stuart Haggas There are many places that boast w orld-renowned nightlife, b ut there can be no where on earth where clubbing has made a greater impact than Ibiza, Spain. In fact, over the last few decades, Ibiza’s reputation as a non-stop par ty island has e volved into a million-dollar brand. Although there are other sides to Ibiza, including remote and idyllic beaches, a rural interior of olive and almond g roves and pine forests, and an emer ging agrotourism scene, the role clubbing plays in the island’s economy is evident from the moment you arrive. MAY 2012 I PASSPORT 59 IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 60 ibiza A t any other airport in the world you’ll most likely see advertisements for b lue-chip products lik e Coca-Cola or Apple iPads. Here at Ibiza’ s air port I w as instead confronted b y huge posters abo ve the luggage carousel for Matinée, the gay-friendly Saturda y night par ty at super -club Amnesia, where sexy go-go dancing boys and girls, acrobats, p yrotechnics, and lasers create a dazzling experience that’s like Cirque Du Soleil on steroids. Continuing into the arrivals lounge, I was handed flyers promoting parties at other signif icant clubs lik e Pacha, Space, and DC10. By the time I’ d reached the taxi rank, my stash of flyers had multiplied dramatically. Speeding towards Ibiza Town (“Eivissa” in Catalan), we passed billboard after billboard advertising all the major par ties and heralding star guests including Kelis, Robyn, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Mark Ronson, and Mika, reaf firming Ibiza’s status as the world’s ultimate clubbing mecca. Famous for its me ga-clubs, Ibiza is home to w hat’s officially recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the w orld’s largest nightclub. Having begun as a humble restaurant in the 1960s, it was reinvented as KU in 1978, and its outdoor dancefloor , swimming pool, and la vish gardens became a playground for the jet set. In 1987, F reddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé premiered their hit Barcelona here, a la vish spectacle that became the song’s official video. Now called Privilege, it has a capacity of 10,000 and the main room alone is the size of an aircraft hanger . Altogether, Ibiza’s eight big clubs ha ve a combined capacity of o ver 33,000—astonishing when you consider that the island’ s entire population was assessed in January 2010 as just 132,637. Many of the world’s top DJs have summer residencies here, and they use the oppor tunity to test ne w tracks on the cro wds. What debuts on Ibiza’ s decks will influence w hat’s heard on radio stations and dancefloors around the world. International record labels like Defected, Hed Kandi, and Ministry Of Sound release bestselling compilation CDs of Ibiza club anthems; superstars including Black Ey ed Peas and Rihanna echo Ibiza in their beats; and , in the case of Jennifer Lopez’ s On The Floor, even give Ibiza a euphoric shout-out in the chorus. Although predominantly straight, cer tain nights attract ga y and lesbian party people on a mission to dance the night a way. Besides Matinée, other recommended gay-friendly parties include the legendary La Troya at Amnesia on Wednesday and the massive SuperMartXé at Privilege on Friday. For more exclusively gay partying, look no fur ther than Anfora, located within the historic walls of Dalt Vila in Ibiza Town. It compensates for the lack of size and superstar DJs with a friendl y and frisky atmosphere (there’s even a small darkroom), and is b usiest and best e very Thursday for “Disco Night Fever.” Directly below Dalt Vila’s fortifications are two of Ibiza’s most popular gay bars Soap and Angelo, while nar row Calle de la Virgen is lined with more intimate gay bars, shops, and restaurants. C hristened “Ibiza’s gay ambassador” b y Pacha Magazine, Juan De Ibiza is one of the island’s most colorful characters. You’ll find him and his par tner Nadal w orking a f ierce high-f ashion look e very night at Soap. In 2011, he had 47 different outfits inspired by designers such as Thierry Mugler, Dior, and Givenchy, and he never repeats the same look twice. “Our look has to be outrageous, extravagant, glamorous and provocative as we are the center of attention, ” he e xplains. “During the winter w e produce all the costumes for the next season, and it’s a hard job. We draw the outfits and we have tailors in Mallorca, mainland Spain, and e ven in Thailand who do the work, always supervised by us.” Though he w as bor n on the neighboring island Mallorca, one da y his mother said to him “Son, your life is in Mallorca but y our soul and spirit is from Ibiza.” He’s now been involved in Ibiza’s tourism and LGBT scenes for over twenty years, so I asked how Ibiza has changed. 60 PASSPORT I MAY 2012 “In the 90s Ibiza w as the mecca, ” says Juan De Ibiza. “It w as the place w here people from all o ver the w orld would come looking for freedom, love, music, sun, and sea. It’ s in the 90s w hen Club Culture was born, when DJs were the Gods of Music whose sessions would last [as long as] the pub lic would want. It’s when dancing in the da ylight and dancing on the beach were born.” During the 1990s, another unique aspect of Ibiza’ s clubbing scene was conceived. Seminal club promoter Brasilio de Oli veira threw his first party here in 1978, he’s brought everyone from Gloria Ga ynor to Kylie Minogue to Ibiza, and his f amous party La Troya remains one of the gayest and most popular of all time. As the mega-clubs are in outof-the-way locations, f ar from the f ashionable bars, shops, and restaurants of Ibiza Town, he came up with the idea of parading all his dancers, acrobats, and performers through Ibiza Town’s narrow cobbled streets, and the concept of Ibiza’s club parades began. “The club parades star ted in the 90s, and the pur pose of them is to alert the cro wds of the happenings of the night, ” Juan elaborates. “Everyone has to have the best parade so people will go to their par ty. The competition star ts here! Most of them f inish at Soap and this is where everybody goes to see the Fin de Fiesta of the parades and get ready to go to the club of y our choice.” Even if you have no intention of setting foot inside a club, these nightl y parades of gor geous, scantily clad men and w omen in la vish themed costumes are still w orth seeing. If y ou are planning a big night out, the y can help you to choose your party. And as discounted entry wristbands and flyers are usually distributed during the parades, it makes economical sense to keep a look out for them; club entrance fees range from €25 to €50 in advance, and can go up to €100 at the door. I biza’s transition to clubbing mecca be gan in 1967, w hen the Summer of Love and its legacy of music, mood altering drugs, and sexual freedom radiated to Ibiza from San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Ibiza’s tolerant attitude made it an ideal hippie haven, its glorious weather conducive to open-air parties. Next came artists, writers, gays and lesbians, and Ibiza became a f avorite spot with a glamorous party crowd. Toward the end of the 1980s, w hen the UK e xperienced what’s often referred to as the Second Summer of Lo ve with the rise of Acid House music and ecstasy-fuelled rave parties held in huge warehouses, this also impacted upon Ibiza. Those hedonistic summers altogether paved the way for the 1990s to be the decade that sa w the bir th of Ibiza’s clubbing culture, and Ibiza became the world’s most famous island for summer partying—an accolade it retains to this da y. The 90s w as also the decade that Ibiza w as discovered b y the masses, w hen y oung tourists from Europe and beyond flocked to raucous resor ts like San Antonio for a vacation full of sun, sex, sangria, drugs, and clubbing; the island’s subsequent hangover was exposed on TV reality shows like Ibiza Uncovered. “All the celebrities used to come to the island and w ould be treated like others,” continues Juan De Ibiza. “There was no world of paparazzis, and they could be free and not worry that they were followed in their private time. Ev erybody used to mix to gether from hippies, locals, celebrities, rock stars, millionaires. No wadays has changed lots. We separate everybody. Lots of people come to the island and do things that they would not do in their hometowns. But Ibiza is a Scorpio island and it changes and re generates, which is good. In 2011, I ha ve seen a great change in Ibiza which I hope will last for a long time. ” Another notable face on Ibiza’s party scene is Logan Schmitz. Born and raised in Oklahoma, toda y he’s the UK promoter for Matinée and SuperMartXé as w ell as his o wn par ties under the Lo gan Presents IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 61 ibiza Like the sound of a cicada, it’s the nocturnal buzz that gives Ibiza its magical vibe. There’s a genuine sense here that nightfall is the beginning of something exciting. brand. His journey from America’s Midwest to London’s gay club scene was made via the go-go podiums of Ibiza. Ha ving disco vered Ibiza thanks to E! Entertainment’s W ild O n!TV show, it became Logan’s goal to land a job on the island. At the time he w as attending Florida State University, which fortuitously had a campus in Valencia, Spain. Upon completing his f irst ter m there, Lo gan’s real plan click ed into action and he boarded a boat bound for Ibiza. “A little lost in paradise, f inding a job w asn’t so easy without a proper w orking visa, and this countr y bo y needs to eat, ” Lo gan explains. “After the f irst month, m y mone y was r unning thin, but I was determined to k eep my Ibiza dream ali ve. Inspired b y the ar t of dance, I quickly adapted my ‘newbie’ Midwestern-gay style to a Eurofashion Ibiza dancer. The transformation didn’t happen overnight, and learning a personal dance style w asn’t easy in co wboy boots… but I soon found myself working my debut shift at Pacha, Ibiza’s most legendary dance space.” “When I f irst touched do wn in Ibiza in 2002, I sa w the island through virgin eyes—every nightclub, posh restaurant, and chill-out hot spot seemed sur real. The Ibiza scene b urst with freedom,” Logan continues. “Had I known the island 20 years earlier, I probably would have seen the island more restricti ve. I never had the oppor tunity to experience Privilege (formerly KU) as a garden paradise without walls or barriers, or w atch this clubbing mecca transfor m from the 70s complete hippie style, writing its own rules of party.” Y ou don’t have to be a hardcore party animal, however, to enjoy Ibiza, because this beautiful island has a mello w B-side. Recognized since 1999 as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, the fortifications of Ibiza Town known as Dalt Vila (literally “Upper Town”) are the photogenic focus of e very vacation on the island. This Renaissance era acropolis is full of nar row streets that wind up to the 14thcentury cathedral of Santa Maria d’Eivissa. Historically, those impenetrable w alls protected the Spanish cro wn from enemies including Turkish and Berber pirates, b ut today they shelter restaurants, ar t galleries, and craft shops. It’s also a focal point for open-air concerts, exhibitions and cultural events, including the Festival del Mar international gay and lesbian f ilm festival. You should note that Dalt Vila’s ramparts do become cruisy at night. For a dinner of delicious local specialties lik e arroz de matanzas (rice with cuts of pork), guisat de peix (fish stew), and flaó (a soft tart MAY 2012 I PASSPORT 61 IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 62 ibiza made with goats cheese and spear mint), Dalt Vila’s most co veted tables are to be found on the time-polished stone ofPlaza de Vila, but my recommendation is to head up to Plaza del Sol and El Restaurante Plaza del Sol, whose candlelit tables offer stunning panoramas and oodles of romance. Wherever you dine, be sure to end y our meal with Hierbas Ibicencas, a digestive liqueur of anisette to which sprigs of aromatic herbs lik e rosemar y, la vender, chamomile, juniper and sage have been added (many places follow their own treasured recipe to make their own supply). Hotels are sur prisingly scarce hereabouts. Man y gay visitors opt to stay in the neighboring resort of Figueretes, where popular gay-friendly accommodations such as Hotel Cenit are within walking distance of Ibiza Town’s sights and gay scene. If you insist on staying in Ibiza Town itself, the best option is five-star Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila. Occupying a nob le estate house built in 1905, its 13 stylish rooms and suites feature original period fur nishings and antiques. Ov erlooking the lively cafés of palm-fringed Plaza del Parque, the more affordable Hostal Parque has 30 modern rooms, the best of which are three rooftop ático rooms, boasting lovely terrace views. The cafés and bars of the adjacent f isherman’s quarter, La Marina, are ideal for enjo ying a lazy breakf ast on a sunn y terrace. Here y ou’ll also f ind a plethora of shops selling inter national brands as w ell as Ibiza’s own Adlib f ashion creations. Adlib f ashion is typicall y white, uses natural f abrics, is simple and comfor table, and possesses handmade characteristics that echo Ibiza’ s easy-going hippie attitude. Accessorized with sandals and handmade je welry, this bohemian style is adopted by many visitors to the island, and often inspires some of the world’s biggest designers. The majority of shops sta y open until after midnight. In f act, this w hole area comes tr uly alive after dark, w hen everywhere is buzzing with anticipation of a big night out. L Photos: Stuart Haggas ike the sound of a cicada, it’ s the noctur nal buzz that gi ves Ibiza its magical vibe. There’s a genuine sense here that nightf all is the beginning of something exciting, which explains why it’s an island tradition to celebrate every sunset. The most iconic spot used to be Benirrás Beach, where sunset was accompanied by the rhythmic beat of bongo dr ums and much clapping and hipp y-hippy shaking. Then in August 2010, a de vastating f ire destroyed over 300 hectares of pine forest sur rounding this secluded beach, and toda y Benir rás is remembered b ut rarel y visited. Ibiza’ s summer influx of hippies and hipsters now flock to Sunset Ashram on rocky Platges de Comte. Another renowned sunset rendezv ous is Café Del Mar, a bar in the resort of San Antonio that’s world famous for its chill-out music compilations. Here, sunset is accompanied b y ambient Balearic beats; ho wever, San Antonio is hedonistically heterosexual and perhaps best avoided. Instead, I recommend y ou watch the sunset from the ter race of Hostal Restaurante La Torre at nearby Cap Negret. Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the island , it ne vertheless f ills to capacity with cro wds who ha ve cocktail and camera poised to celebrate and capture the moment that the sun says adiós. Once the moon has tak en center stage, a euphoric sense of e xpectation takes hold, a feeling that e very visitor will share, ir respective of w hether they will go to a club. Ibiza has a special nocturnal vibe that no other place can replicate, which is why it puzzles me to lear n that the island’s Tourist Office prefers to understate its importance. In fact, they’re eager to rebrand Ibiza as an upscale and family-friendly destination that’s synonymous with culture and heritage, not clubbing and hedonism, and ne w laws have been introduced over the past few years to help achieve this goal. 62 PASSPORT I MAY 2012 IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 63 ibiza There was a time w hen you could club around the clock, but in an effort to reign in the unbridled hedonism of Ibiza’ s never-ending par ty, the island’s government introduced stricter laws on opening times, a bitter pill prescribed in an attempt to cur tail Ibiza’s revelry. By imposing a mandatory 6 A.M. till 4:30 P.M. ban in 2008, the y immediately brought an end to Ibiza’s famous afternoon and after-party scenes. Coincidentally, at the end of that season, Ibiza’ s biggest and most notorious par ty Manumission closed its doors for the very last time after 14 years of fireeaters, perfor ming dwarfs, and li ve sex shows. But did this signify the end of an era, or the be ginning of a new one? O ther recent legislation requires that new hotels be f ive star, and a major highway construction project has made Ibiza’s beaches and tranquil rural interior more accessib le to tourists. It’s hoped that these grand schemes will attract a new kind of tourist, but many Ibicencos and internationals question the wisdom behind the le gislation. “My early seasons w ere def initely the most magical, ” says Logan. “Ibiza was tr uly happening. I w as engulfed with a hedonistic atmosphere unlik e an ything I could ha ve e ver imagined. There w ere no stereotypes, no clichés, just millions of open-minded travelers all looking to have a good time. I felt for the f irst time in my life “truly” free. Since my first year in 2002, I have seen this magic island evolve.” He also told me about the ne gative impact that the ne w laws are having on Ibiza. “It w asn’t until 2005 that w e star ted to feel the change,” Lo gan continues. “The island star ted to w ork on the ne w highway system, connecting Ibiza’ s most treasured hideouts to the mainstream public, slowly commercializing the beauty and destroying the atmosphere of w hat made Ibiza unlik e any place in the w orld. I could feel the island lean a way from its clubbing roots. In 2006, the famous Space ter race grew a new set of glass windo ws outlining the entire str ucture, keeping the natural light, b ut blocking out the open air. Ne w la ws and re gulations restricting noise k ept s weeping the island as a ne w government took control in central Spain, and e verchanging laws began enforcing outrageous f ines to whoever dared to proceed. The f inal nail pushed through the music cof fin was in 2008 when it w as announced that all after -hours and da ytime events must close, forcing party promoters to only work in the night. Everyone on the island felt these ne w restrictions. With closing times at 6 A.M., clubbers felt the need to enter the major super -clubs b y midnight instead of later (previously after 2 or 3 A.M.). In turn, the Ibiza Town bars and lounges emptied earl y or ne ver f illed at all, causing man y shops, bars, and restaurants to close.” Juan De Ibiza of fers a philosophical and , perhaps, economical perspective of the situation. “Of course w e have to promote the ecotourism and cultural events as this is how everything started. Not everybody who comes to Ibiza comes for the clubs. We have the most beautiful beaches of the Mediter ranean, the cleanest w aters, golf, w atersports, riding, a great range of local cuisine well-known all over, vineyards, salt flats, natural parks…do not for get that Dalt Vila and the P osidonia meadows are not clubs, they are history and biology, recognized by UNESCO.” Ibiza is attracting other kinds of tourist, b ut it’s not entirely the kind they were aiming for. As the recession bites, f amilies overlook Ibiza in favor of cheaper destinations but, as Juan De Ibiza says, Ibiza is a Scorpio island and it’s constantly evolving and regenerating. It used to be said that if you returned from Ibiza with a tan, then you didn’t have had a good time, because y ou didn’t spend e very waking hour in a club . That’s no longer tr ue, because some super -fashionable beach clubs have emerged to f ill the afternoon club void. We need look no fur ther than Chiringay. This popular spot on the southern tip of Es Ca vallet beach is described as the w orld’s f irst gay beach. Estab lished in 1980, f acilities toda y include a palm-thatched restaurant ser ving simple Mediter ranean food to diners in their swimwear, and there’s usually a DJ playing mellow sundrenched beats. As the beach lies within the Ses Salines nature reserve, there’s plenty to explore and experience amongst the sur rounding dunes! More luxurious beach clubs include chic, w hite Blue Marlin on beautiful Cala Jondal beach, where A-list guests including Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Moss are likely to arrive by yacht. For guaranteed beach partying, Matinée hosts the Sunday afternoon session at supercool La Plage in Playa D’en Bossa, while the nearby Ushuaia Beach Hotel is a fashionable party palace whose pool is pur posefully shallow so you can dance rather than s wim in it, alto gether proving that the party doesn’t need to stop until y ou board your plane home. In f act, it doesn’ t necessarily end there, because y ou might e ven fly on an Ibiza-themed plane! In 2011, Spanish low-cost airline Vueling introduced to its fleet an Airbus A320, its fuselage specially customized with colorful g raphics and the insignia “Fl y Me I’m Famous” to promote Cathy and David Guetta’s huge Ibiza party F*** Me I’m Famous. Assisted by popstar Taio Cruz, David Guetta treated those lucky enough to win a place on its debut flight to a live mix of in-flight music. After completing this 30,000-feet gig, the airline went into re gular ser vice, flying passengers from 11 European airports to and from Ibiza. Ibiza is a million-dollar brand , and has its own plane to prove it! MAY 2012 I PASSPORT 63 IBIZA MAY 2012_Lima APR-08.R5-2 5/19/12 2:49 PM Page 64 ibizaresources CLUBBING GUIDE GAY BARS With so many parties to choose from each and every night, not forgetting the gay venues of Ibiza Town, it can be difficult to know where to go, so here’s our night-bynight guide. “Ibiza is a special place that has to be visited once in a lifetime,” says Logan Schmitz. “I guarantee if you follow my lead, it won’t be your last visit!” “Summer starts at the beginning of June and runs full season until the first weekend of October,” adds Logan. “Traditionally, August is the most gay month on the island, as the first two weeks get bombarded with hot European boys.” “August is the month when everybody is here,” agrees Juan De Ibiza. “The island is rocking, the beaches are full, the clubs are full. And in August, it’s when the local fiestas are in all the towns of the island. In Ibiza Town the 8th of August with the famous fireworks, and in Figueretas the 15th of August.” A night out in Ibiza Town begins along narrow Calle de la Virgen, where you’ll find dozens of intimate little gay bars, each with a handful of outdoor chairs and tables placed perilously on the cobbles. These include Bar 22 (C/ De la Virgen 22), Mad Bar (C/ De la Virgen 32), Indira (C/ De la Virgen 40), Sunrise Ibiza (C/ De la Virgen 44), Foc i Fum (C/ De la Virgen 55), Exis (C/ De la Virgen 57), Bar Leon (C/ De la Virgen 62) and JJ Bar (C/ De la Virgen 78). SATURDAY Hotel Cenit, C/ Archiduque Luís Salvador, Los Molinos. Tel: +34-971-301-404. Popular gay-friendly hotel with swimming pool, on the top of a hill facing the sea, within walking distance of the gay scene and sights of Ibiza Town. Summer rates from €85. www.hotelcenit.com Next, head to either Angelo (Alfonso XII 11) or Soap (Santa Llúcia 21-23), a pair of popular bars located adjacent to each other in the shadow of Dalt Vila’s imposing walls. Both have large outdoor terraces, and are open every night till 1 A.M. HOTELS Matinée @ Amnesia, C/ San Antonio, San Rafael. Tel: +34-917-198-041. Mixed, gay-friendly party at this 5,000-capacity super-club, famous for its sexy stage shows. “This event is not to be missed,” says Logan. “Mixed with one of the best soundtracks, be amazed with the incredible facility in Amnesia and experience one of the most high tech productions in the world.” www.matineegroup.com SUNDAY (DAY) Matinée Beach @ La Plage, C/ de la Playa D’en Bossa. Tel: +34-971-590-363. The Matinée team host the Matinée session at this fashionable mixed gayfriendly beach club. “This super-chic beach club, with white beds and a very Nikki Beach Miami style décor, heats up the sands of Playa D’en Bossa,” says Logan, “bringing outdoor havoc the Matinée way!” www.matineegroup.com SUNDAY (NIGHT) Fetish @ Pacha, Avenida 8 de Agosto, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-971-313-612. Iconic super-club founded in 1973, with a capacity of 3,500. “Sunday nights belong to the legendary nightclub Pacha,” says Logan. Although it’s not a gay party, Pasha’s opulent take on clubbing is worth experiencing. “If you are lucky enough to experience a gay night in Pacha, don’t miss it. These are rare and far between, bringing elegance to an intimate night with the gays.” www.pacha.com Lola’s, C/ Alfonso XII 9, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-687-755618. Ibiza’s first discotheque, today this small club interconnects with adjacent gay bar Angelo and it attracts a predominantly gay party crowd every night of the week, but it’s especially recommended on Sunday night. MONDAY (DAY) Circo Loco @ DC10, C/ de Las Salinas KM1. No phone. Located in a converted finca with a large covered terrace beside the runway of Ibiza Airport, this 1,500-capacity club is the antithesis of many of Ibiza’s bigger and slicker clubs—and that’s what makes it unique. “Although not known as a typical gay outing, if you have the party urge inside of you, this is definitely the spot to visit,” says Logan. “Opening its doors in the early afternoon, anything goes once you step inside as you are filled with an unsuppressed extreme party environment.” www.circolocoibiza.com MONDAY (NIGHT) Scandal @ Somny, C/ Alcines 15, Playa d’en Bossa. Tel: +34-971-306-417. Exclusively gays party at this stylish little beachfront club, close to the gay-friendly hotels of Figueretas. “If you are looking for a night out but not as full-on as a superclub like Privilege or Amnesia, Scandal is just the 64 PASSPORT I MAY 2012 place,” says Logan. “This island local party brings together the right elements of a great night.” “It’s always full,” agrees Juan De Ibiza, “and I am hosting the party!” www.somnyibiza.com TUESDAY Seduction @ Pacha, Avenida 8 de Agosto, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-971-313-612. “The Legend,” says Juan De Ibiza, “with seven nights a week the top DJs of the world. The most famous party is Flower Power, which is a must for everyone. Also Swedish House Mafia (Monday) and F*** Me I’m Famous (Thursday). Seduction (Tuesday) attracts lots of gay people.” www.pacha.com WEDNESDAY La Troya @ Amnesia, C/ San Antonio, San Rafael. Tel: +34-917-198-041. Mixed, gay-friendly party from seminal club promoter Brasilio de Oliveira. “This legendary island favorite made its home Amnesia just 10 years back. Now after some venue hopping, La Troya has returned to Amnesia with a taste of outrageous entertainment,” says Logan. “Although not so high tech as Matinée, this intimate outing gives you the best of the gay homemade island clubbing!” www.latroyaibiza.com THURSDAY Disco Night Fever @ Anfora, San Carlos 7, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-971-302-893. Small but buzzing gay club built into the rocks of historic Dalt Vila. Its retro disco night on Thursday is its most popular party. “With a downstairs dancefloor and an upstairs darkroom with full frontal porn on the TVs, if a shag is what you’re after, you’ve found the place!” says Logan. www.disco-anfora.com FRIDAY SuperMartXé @ Privilege, C/ San Antonio, San Rafael. Tel: +34-971-198-160. Mixed, gay-friendly party at the world’s biggest club, with a capacity of 10,000. “Friday belongs to SuperMartXé,” says Logan. “Although not as gay as my franchise in London, this over-the-top creation is the biggest in Ibiza. SuperMartXé comes to life every Friday night with a complete theme and set change. With celebs such as Paris Hilton and Dennis Rodman in the mix, you are sure to witness one of the most outrageous productions of your life.” www.supermartxe.com Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila, Plaza de España 4, Dalt Vila, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-971-303-045. With just 13 rooms and suites, this homey but luxurious five-star hotel occupies a grand 1905 mansion within Dalt Vila’s walls, and boasts original art and antiques, a small swimming pool, restaurant, and cocktail bar. Summer rates from €370. www.hotelmiradoribiza.com Hostal Parque, Plaza del Parque 4, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-971-301-358. Modern hotel with 30 simple but stylish rooms, located on a lively square just outside of the historic walls of Dalt Vila. Summer rates from €110. www.hostalparque.com Ushuaïa Beach Hotel, Playa D’en Bossa 10. Tel: +34-902-424-252. Fashionable new five-star hotel and beach club designed to appeal to upscale party people, with massive pool parties every night till midnight, and facilities including luxury swim-up rooms and suites. Summer rates from €324. www.ushuaiabeachhotel.com DINING Blue Marlin Beach Club, Playa Es Jondal, Sant Josep. Tel: +34-971-410-117. Chic, white, AsianMediterranean fusion restaurant located within Ibiza’s most famous and fashionable beach club. It’s ideal for a sundrenched lunch, but is equally happening for dinner. www.bluemarlinibiza.com Chiringay, Playa Es Cavallet, Las Salinas. Tel: +34971-187-429. This rustic, palm-thatched eatery on beautiful Es Cavallet beach has served cocktails, lunch and snacks to gay men and lesbians since 1980 – a gay legend! www.chiringay.com El Restaurante Plaza del Sol, Plaza del Sol, Dalt Vila, Ibiza Town. Tel: +34-971-390-773. Situated on a pretty square beside Dalt Vila’s ramparts, this romantic candlelit restaurant serves up stunning views accompanied by delicious Mediterranean cuisine. www.plazadelsolibiza.com Hostal Restaurante La Torre, Urb. Cap Negret 25, Sant Antoni de Portmary. Tel: +34-971-342-271. Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the island is this simple hotel and restaurant. The menu is limited to a handful of local dishes, but you don’t come here for the food—the big attraction is that the terrace is a stunning vantage point from which to enjoy a famous Ibiza sunset. www.hostallatorreibiza.com