San Antonio - Bars
Bars San Antonio
Sorry, there is no particular logic to the order in which these entertainment options are laid out, but that is the nature of pub research..
Because San Antonio is largely populated by tourists during the summer, it is generally pretty quiet through the winter. There are many bars, but very few are open till Easter or later, awaiting the full blown season. (However we found some! - the rewards available to a dedicated researcher cannot be under-estimated..)
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This is a traditional country pub of the sort that you never thought you'd find in Spain - and like any good country pub it has a fine restaurant that has generated an enormous number of unsolicited accolades in their extensive Visitor's Book. They offer a full 'a la carte' menu, prepared by their professional English chef, Andy Bird, and everything is cooked to order from fresh ingredients that are meticulously stored in their 'industrial' sized kitchen. Nonetheless, they cater for those in a hurry too with a selection of bar snacks and 'tapas'. |
The Ship Inn
C/. Bartolome Vicente Ramon, West End, San Antonio.
Tel: 971 343 432
John and Denise run one of the great institutions in San Antonio, the Ship Inn on the market square. This is not only a pub but also the local job centre, information service (internet connected), bookmakers and general help and advice spot for the local community. It is really unique, literally priding itself in helping out the young who come here looking for work or people on holiday who need a helping hand in getting themselves organised.
They also run a mail service, help with money transfers, take telephone messages and God knows what else. - We think it's great. On top of all that, the place is a great pub serving a great selection of beers. John has installed Sky on a huge screen so you can watch all the sports (wear your football shirt?) and horse racing (don't bring your whippet). While you are there ask the local poet Joe for a quick verse or two. Super people - Super spot. - are we Super condescending or what?.
Bar Solei (Get Stuffed)
Carrel de Bartomea, 18, Vicent Ramon
Tel: 971 343 266
Mike is the english owner and it's just down the hill from The Ship, (past La Vida Loca) and across from the Hotel Tropical - "Get Stuffed" literally ! Huge portions at reasonable prices - full english breakfasts, snacks and daily specials. They also do traditional sunday lunches. Also with the obligatory sky tv..... You can always tell a good bar when it's full of english locals in the middle of winter.
The Garden of Eden
Next to Eden, this was refurbished the same time as Eden last year and does an "after hours" in conjunction with Eden. They have a nice terrace where you can watch all the clubbers queue and therefore pick the best time to go in (when the queue is down...). They often had Eden dj's before and after the club started.
The Duke Pub
On the seafront by the turning into Es Paradis and Eden, this pub has curious opening hours that offer a breakfast option as you fall out of either club - and at any time of day.
Itaca
Tel 971 344 143 Fax: 971 345 582
Paseo Maritimo, San Antonio.
A new bar last year on the new San Antonio promenade, palm trees (now nearly all dead, but it's not the fault of the bar - speak to the local council before one falls on your head). One of the hottest pre-club bars during the summer season.
Bar M
Next to Itaca on the bay front - this is the 'Manumission' bar in San Antonio, you may have heard about. 2 bars, an open terrace and an upstairs terrace - they have pre-parties for, obviously, Manumission and a lot of the others ie Cream. Christian behind the bar is straight out of the "Cocktail" film - bottles of spirits going flying round his head etc. A canya will cost you 250ptas.
Silvi's Waschalon
C/. Vara de Rey, San Antonio.
You know that feeling when the weekend comes around and you've got some time off work... you can attend to some of life's more important tasks - like cleaning the house and going to the launderette, after you've washed the car and done the gardening? This is the launderette of your dreams - a launderette incorporating a bar - serving good German beer! It sounds too good to be true and for those who aren't at work, for example holidaymakers, it must feel like the icing on the cake?
Villains
West End, San Antonio.
A tasty restaurant with a chef whose reputation was made at the restaurant of his own name (Spencer's) in Port d'es Torrent. There are 25 tables, good food and it's open now. The music policy is a rare contrast to the pumping vinyl throughout the rest of the West End - Live music!
Golden Crown
Ses Fontanelles, Port d'es Torrent.
Another recommended pub, part of the Ses Fontanelles complex in San An Bay, but again featuring live music on fridays & mondays. Another bar that bucks the trend and is open nearly all year round. They have a terrace, pool table and entertainment with pub quizzes and kareoke etc. They also do traditional english pub food etc from 10-2.30pm and then 6-9pm with a takeaway service as well.
Bay Cafe Bar
Tel: 971 348297
Bajos Apartamentos Palmyras, Bahia San Antonio.
Barely? 100m from Es Paradis (it just feels more in the heat of summer), sporting a huge open air veranda with views over the bay. Unusually? for a bar in San Antonio, they arrange a sunset most evenings which looks spectacular from said veranda. Perhaps more important is the presence of three pool tables upon which Spanish rules rarely apply. If you're even sadder, there are arcade machines too!
Kremlin Music Bar
C/. Santa Ines, West End, San Antonio
Well if you were in the West End for the New Year you would have heard the distinct sound of the 18-30 Club kicking off the millenium. Noisy and large probably covers it and it didn't stop for the next few days, giving you a taste of the slaughter of summer 2000.
Sergeant Peppers
Tel: 971 346 047
C/. del Mar (West End) & Sergeant Peppers II in Port des Torrent, San Antonio.
A typical West End pub and proud of it, but it's totally authentic - broken beer bottles on the floor, pumping music to which people fal over wide-eyed, plus a shark toothed pedallo! Nobody seemed quite sure what hours they were opening this year, or next, which is why we thought we'd get the phone number, but nobody knew that either? (where did we get it from?)
Chicago
West End, San Antonio.
We know that this place is next door to Sergeant Peppers, Spanish run and is open at the moment, but the chauffer went clubbing last weekend and hasn’t been seen since...so research has been temporarily delayed (...for quite a long time now - for which we apologise. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible..)
'The OK Corral'
West End, San Antonio.
'The OK Corral' is a large English style pub in the heart of the wild West End - by the way don't believe all you read and have seen on TV, the West End is great fun and now well controlled. The bar is on the walking street so you can drink safely and watch the girls and guys parading or staggering around (or play hopscotch to avoid the occasional vomit or fornicating couple), if the 'press back home' are to be believed?). Reg and Rick provide a colourful atmosphere, backed up by Caz with her comprehensive menu of mainly English style food. In the week they have quiz nights - hosted by Reg, darts competitions and lots of different pub games. An excellent spot for the family in the early evening and for your late night connoisseur. Pop by and catch the action.
Quack Quack
West End, San Antonio.
We know that this place is next door to the OK Corral and that it is open at weekends at the moment, but the car’s broken down and we’re waiting for parts. The joys of living on an isolated island..
Casanova
West End, San Antonio.
On the next street down and currently open, this is a Spanish run bar with which we don’t have a problem, so an imminent visit beckons.
Trops
West End, San Antonio.
Is next door to 'Club Tropicana', down the steps and your in!.. A nice little place, funky spanish vibes and good tunes, open through the Winter and is also Spanish run.
The Round Table
West End, San Antonio
This little bar is hidden down a side road from the same square as The Ship & Living Room at the top of the West End. As you enter you are confronted by a huge round table in a small room otherwise almost unoccupied. A side door leads you into the small, cosy Bar. It seems to be largely frequented by long term British locals telling tales of the good old days. And weren't they?...
Gorm's Garage
Like's to be known as the 'pulling bar' and to cut the ice and cater for all tastes it offers a range of different genres of music. From the currently hip UK Garage through 70's, 80's, soul and d&b. The silly side of the street giving away schnapps or bottles of champagne for each four beers ordered? (don't ask me). Other nights feature Wet T-shirts, Karaoke and footall on the Sat-TV system.(Doesn't seem to leave a lot of time for pulling?).
Rumours
Corner of C/. Vara de Rey and C/. Bartholeme Vicente Ramon,West End, San Antonio.
This bar is the twin sister or brother (are bars male or female?) of Gorm's Garage across the road and is also run by the extraordinary Kerry. Rumours is a 100% party party with the atmosphere pushed to the limit - Unlike it's quiet cousin over the road?. They don't mind if you dance on the tables here - they throw you out if you don't..it's called attitude.. Beware of the video cameras here though if you participate in the wet T-shirt, Karaoke or more adventurous stuff. However you can buy your copy of your own indiscretions and show it to your mates at home - then they'll all come next year! The waitresses will serve you at your table if you wish and are dressed in suitably skimpy outfits designed to stimulate and delight. This is truly a happy place and you'd better be in a good mood to enjoy the night through to 6am. You don't have to pay to enter and you are invited by the house to a Schnapps. Nothing more to say - don't listen to Rumours - live them out.
Amsterdam Bar
West End, San Antonio
Andreas runs this mad little bar where you buy 4 drinks @ 500 ptas. (eg. a beer each) and then receive a free bottle of vodka, tequila or schnapps for free. Most people don't realise this until too late, so they pay to get started and never escape. Other offers this season included 10 vodka/red bulls for 3.000 ptas. or 20 chupitos for 1.500 ptas.(about £6). Don't expect to be able to walk after 20 chupitos - it's been tried and it doesn't work! Visiting DJs and promo tapes looking to break the island dominate the music here. Why would anyone want to leave anyway? Nicola was the resident and impromptu entertainer this year who also mops up the sick..
Kilties
Bartholome Vicente Ramon, West End, San Antonio
Voted Best Bar on Ibiza last year by the News of the World, this is a full-on Scottish bar - it only serves 'proper' drinks at 'proper' prices. This means that they don't put inferior brand labels into other people's optic bottles - allegedly this is something that concerns Scottish people (who might be considered experts on the subject, having spent a number of years creating X,000 different variations of what the rest of the world calls whisky). The other Scottish influences include lots of wood, beams and wall panels etc. But the bar staff are more likely to offer you cocktails like Sex on the Beach or Screaming Orgasm than single malt whiskies. Whilst we were there we watched a cookery programme on UK Living so expect variety depending on the time of day you choose to visit?
Act 3
C/. Soledad, San Antonio.
Heading away from the West End on the Calle Solidad, Apparently open during the winter, but not open on the odd occasions that we've tried (we live on the wrong side of the island to do many San An. pubcrawls - and most people accept this as a reasonable excuse?). However, we hear that it is one of the better options through the winter and will check it during the summer one quiet night?..)
Cartagos
C/. Soledad, San Antonio.
Apparently this is next door to Act 3 and needs a visit too as it is also open in the winter.
Equinox
C/. Soledad, San Antonio.
Yes, this is also in the Calle Solidad, merits a visit as it’s open weekends and hasn’t had one yet.
Penguin
C/. Soledad 36, San Antonio.
In the Calle Solidad, but different! Marith, from Norway and Marco from Holland, have returned to Ibiza to share their love of Classic Rock and Blues music with you. Marco’s worked with the best, so you’ll find personalities from around the globe dropping in for a trip down memory lane. Join them, take in this laid back atmosphere and listen to the greatest in Rock & Blues sounds – loud enough to enjoy, soft enough to talk. Winter Months (from 1st October): Friday, Sat, Sun from 8pm – 'til late. Summer (From 1st May) 7 days a week 8pm – 'til late. What sort of street is this...doesn’t anybody ever have to do any shopping?
The Pint Pot, Maxims, Shooters & Mari Pins(Spanish)
Are all on the other side of the bay in an area locals often call Port d’es Torrent. All are apparently open at weekends for the Winter, so that’s one weekend sorted.
