Ibiza clubs remain closed as Spain enters phase 3
The world-famous nightclubs of Ibiza will remain closed for the foreseeable future, even after being granted permission to reopen by the Spanish government, local authorities have announced.
‘Phase three’ of Spain’s post-coronavirus reopening plan began on Monday (8 June), with clubs and bars allowed to reopen at a third of their capacity and with a maximum of 80 guests. This follows phase two – under which capacities were limited to 50 people indoors and 400 outdoors – which ran from 25 May to 8 June, and during which a number of live events, including several open-air concerts, took place.
However, under Spain’s federal decentralised, quasi-federal structure, the country’s various autonomous communities are entitled to set their own timetable for restarting live entertainment. In the Balearic Islands, which include Ibiza, clubs such as Pacha, Amnesia, Hï Ibiza, O Beach and Privilege will remain closed for the time being, according to Balearic president Francina Armengol.
“We are not in a position to allow nightlife. It is not a priority”
In a press conference on Sunday, Armengol told reporters that in order to “guarantee safety at all times”, venues in Ibiza, Majorca, Minorca and Formentera will stay closed, further delaying the start of the traditional Ibiza season, which transforms the island into a party mecca throughout the summer.
“We are not in a position to allow nightlife; it is not a priority,” she said, adding that the spike in Covid-19 reinfections in other countries (ie South Korea) has been caused by the reopening of leisure and entertainment, and the “celebration of holidays”. “We will not take any wrong steps,” she explained.
Summer tourism is worth more than €750 to Ibiza. The island will welcome back its first foreign tourists this month as part of a trial scheme for nearly 11,000 Germans.
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Space to reopen as Hï Ibiza
As predicted by former resident DJ Carl Cox, Ibiza superclub Space, which closed last summer, is to reopen this spring under new management.
The 5,000-cap. club – last year voted the best in the world – will reopen its doors as Hï Ibiza on 28 May, with an opening bash featuring DJs Black Coffee, Luciano, Apollonia, Joris Vorn, Kölsch, Nic Fanciulli, Andrew Oliva and Davide Squillace.
According to new owner Ushuaïa Entertainment, which also runs Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, 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. The state-of-the-art club 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, continuing the island’s legacy as the party capital of the world. […]
“Hï is a welcome to a new era in Ibiza”
“‘Hi’ is a small word that can be the beginning of a meaningful conversation [or] the start of a beautiful friendship that can lead to a bigger world of discovery. ‘Hi’ is a welcome to a new era in Ibiza.”
The new resident DJ will be Dutch house artist Martin Garrix.
Ushuaïa Beach Hotel and rival club Pacha were raided by Spanish police last September as part of an investigation into tax fraud, reportedly seizing several million euros in cash.
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