Ibiza Town - Bars
Being the capital, Ibiza is always busy as anybody who’s ever tried to park a car can confirm, but the port stretch, which is headquarters during the summer, still shuts for the winter. The centre of town however still stays awake to keep the local population entertained.
China Whites "Mao Rooms"
In the port on the right down from the Zoo & Islander bars
New kid on the block, filling the void left by the temporary Magnolia internet cafe, and halfway house to the clubs as a pre-party bar for Orange (phones) which didn't work out either. It's a good spot in a difficult location, surrounded by a lot of competition. Despite much publicity it failed to provide enough Manumission novelty to attract sufficient support. This year it has been taken over by the China White group who run an almost exclusive high class venue in central London. They have created something that looks well unique in terms of Ibiza town options. The DJ spins funky tunes whilst the assembled crowd lounge on huge comfortable banquettes disguised as double beds with cushions below multi-coloured parachute drapes - it's hard not to lie down... and lots of red velvet etc. This is the place to bring "yer bird" and spend most of the night snuggled up like you're at home, but with the option that you'll be seen by the papparazzi if you're famous enough - or curse yourself for being daft enough to pay these bar prices otherwise?
Bar Zuka
75, Calle de la Virgen, Ibiza (go to the end of the port, go right one street) and its on your right on the way back) Hazel & Mark at the bar Zuka supply good tunes and are as friendly as fluffy little puppies.. this bar is sound. Two huge mirrors hang precariously from the walls, but on closer inspection are securely installed. They magnify the activity within the front room with its huge open fireplace filled with candles - well who needs a fire in the heat of an Ibiza summer? In the back room the invited DJs drive the two decks. Andy Wilson of Cadena Cien Radio is a regular, but Mark & Hazel are "connected" so you could find any of their many DJ friends throwing down a few tunes, albeit incognito, before headlining later at one of the "superclubs".
There's often not much room, but the atmosphere is class. There are no toilet signs in a familiar language on the doors leading to the relevant machinery so you inevitably ask the bar staff for directions into a wall disguised as a thicket of shrubbery? All in all this is a class oasis amidst a desert of other options which don't ask your name, just wish to view the contents of your wallet. They're not remarkably cheap, but no more expensive than an English pub. The situation is not England and the musical policy, company and unique situation give you a good feeling - even the morning after.
Base
C/. Cipriano Garijo, Ibiza.
The new bar on the block and very much an expansion to the Rock Bar concept. This is a banging little bar next to the Rock bar and run by Jason with everything you need for an early morning club survey. Like the Rock bar next door, both were visited in 2000 by everyone from Jade Jagger, Sophie Ellis Baxter from Spiller, and all manner of "celebrities", both local and foreign - watch out for the chupitos. Shut during the winter, but making up for it during the summer..
The Rock Bar
C/. Cipriano Garijo, Ibiza.
Closed for the winter, but when it is open mark it down as 'Important to visit'. Halfway down the main drag alongside the Port, this an excellent vantage point for boat spotters or other passing interest on the waterfront. However, it's also the favourite watering hole of the serious British clubbing fraternity and often hosts the pre-party gatherings. The big terrace outside is invariably packed with people exchanging pulling tales and chasing tickets for the evenings clubs. If you want club tickets this is the place to be...
The Other Place
Since the demise of the "Bulldog Bar" from Amsterdam on the waterfront in the harbour of Ibiza Town - "The Other Place" has filled the void providing a temple of worship to the Harley Davidson and all things related to the "Zen and the art of motor cycle maintenance". The beer pump on the bar is a cunningly converted Ducati motorcycle engine and outside there are usually enough exceptional and individual two wheeled works of engineering excellence to make an aficianado drool. The busy pavement terrace accomodates almost a hundred sitting down with a view over the marina. Beware of the red vodka "chupitos" made with blueberries, they are irresistably nice and generally spoil any other plans that you might have made for the evening. But there are worse things that you might otherwise have been doing, than getting pissed with this cosmopolitan mix of rather nice people from all over the place.
The Blues Bar
(Walk down the port area and you can't miss it on the left)
The next step in the Manumission plan for world domination. This one ties in nicely with their "Popeye" theme for 2001. Plenty of bunting of the sort that decorates ships upon their arrival or departure. Magnificent views from the upstairs bar over the harbour and from the outside terrace bar, a post card view over the heaving street market beyond the "Corsairs" obelisk outside capped by the illuminated fortifications of the old town above. Inside, it's Saturday night, peak season, and six of us share a seating arrangement that could cope with 200 + plus standing room. It's early days but it's also Saturday night in the Summer in Ibiza. They didn't open till 10:30pm so before they close at maybe 6am it should get busier? - these are the advantages of a 24 hour license, but this bar would appear to be on the wrong side of the road unless you can rely on the patronage of the rich sailors moored close by. Its too big for that - bring back the Motel...
Cafe Kumharas (El Tiempo)
C/. Miguel Coleta Soler, Ibiza.
Just in between the Vara de Rey and the old city wall by the Placa del Parc, this used to be an old cinema and retains the art-deco feel. In addition to an Internet kiosk there is a Tapas bar with cool music downstairs and a comfy bit upstairs in what would have been the Circle if it was still a cinema. They do food and often have live music on the stage at one end of the "stalls".
Sunset Cafe
Placa del Parc, Ibiza.
This considered the place to be seen if you're in with the local club heirarchy on this side of the island, or claim to be a dance industry type. An afternoon and evening gathering point where you could find yourself rubbing shoulders with DJs and promoters alike. The sunsets are not as spectacular as other bars which have a view, but after all this one is in the middle of town and overshadowed by the old city wall.
Chill Internet Cafe
Tel: 971 399 736 –
e-mail: chillibiza@yahoo.com
Via Punica 49, Ibiza Town.
This ambient, bright and airy little cafe offers new millenium technology with dominos, chess, playing cards and some cool paintings/sculptures by a bloke called ´Barnaby 99’ thrown in. It´s just off the Avenida España, only a hop, skip and a jump from the Vara de Rey in Ibiza. The tag line on the menu and business cards is "For all your internet and bagel needs."
A selection of nearly fifty different combinations of bagels plus sandwiches, salads, soups and a range of other treats that you wouldn’t normally find in a town centre bar, but might expect in a new age venue such as this. You might find Swahili useful if you need to use the toilet, but then ‘toilet door language’ is making a bid for recognition as a legitimate field of art. As well as Martin, whose baby this, you´ll also find lots of other people crouched over the four computers providing internet access. We approve of that at only 800 ptas./hour which is very reasonable by Ibiza standards! Chill by name and very much chill by nature.
Montesol
Vara de Rey, Ibiza.
A long, spacious bar beneath a hotel on the corner of the main town square nearest to the port. Don't expect banging music here, this is where most people meet for business appointments, or to sit outside on the pavement looking as if they don't ever need to work.
Keeper Bar
Paseo Maritimo, Ibiza.
Open every weekend and proud of it. 200 meters beyond the Casino.
The Dome
Via Alfonso XII 5, Ibiza.
Tucked up against the old city wall above the C/. de la virgen, this classy bar plays host to a predominantly gay crowd and serves as the final watering hole for the many club dancers and street entertainers before they head off to work at the clubs. Best shine your shoes and put on your best to compete with this crowd especially on the terrace which doubles as a catwalk.
The Marina
Morgan's Bar
A cosy little bar open from 7pm. Designed to make sailors feel at home if only because it's as small as the inside of a small boat.
Bar Izzy
A bar just large enough to offer occasional live bands.
