Dinner & Dance: Ibiza’s best beach clubs
Let’s be clear, we’re talking about Ibiza’s best beach ‘clubs’ here, which is to say something altogether different from Ibiza’s best beach ‘restaurants’. What’s the difference? Well, while both types of beachside establishment serve Mediterranean foodstuffs and cocktails by the sea, the beach venues on this page dial up the entertainment factor to 10 – and then some. Think rooftop saxophonists, aerial acrobats and daytime dancing to international DJs and you’ll get the picture.
But with more than 80 beaches on the island, and the list of day clubs growing by the season, where to head for some top-level afternoon-into-evening hedonism? Ibiza-based lifestyle management and concierge service, Eden Events, has been providing the inside scoop on the best places to visit on the White Isle for almost a decade. So we thought we’d ask the team for the skinny on the best day-venues for partying by the sea. These are Ibiza’s best beach clubs according to those in the know…
Blue Marlin Ibiza, Cala Jondal
A favourite among celebrities, Blue Marlin is one of Ibiza’s most glamorous, upmarket and extravagant beach clubs. You’ll find it at Cala Jondal, and the club can be reached either by car or by boat (Blue Marlin has its own private jetty). The menu offers premium cuisine with dishes ranging from Mediterranean classics to steak to sushi. As the sun sets, Blue Marlin becomes a decadent party hotspot, hosting a roster of big-name DJs.
Hard Rock Hotel Beach, Playa d’en Bossa
The Hard Rock juggernaut rolled into Ibiza in 2014 bringing with it the hospitality group’s unique rock ‘n’ roll energy. Located in one of the most peaceful and well-preserved areas of Playa d’en Bossa, the resort’s beach club offers a relaxed ambiance (compared to the hotel’s pumping main pool area) that is, shall we say, slightly rougher around the edges compared to the island’s other beach spots. Visitors can enjoy classic Ibizan and Mediterranean dishes served with a side of rock, R&B and hip-hop beats.
Visit hardrockhotels.com
Nassau Beach Club Ibiza, Playa d’en Bossa
High-class cuisine, tip-top service and an array of signature cocktails are the name of the game at Nassau. Order lobster and champagne to your sunbed during the day, while at night the focus moves inside to the cocktail bar. Look out for Nassau’s monthly moonlit dinner events, which include ambient music and cool acrobatic entertainment. Arrive by car or have the venue’s boat service collect you from your yacht.
Visit nassaubeachclub.com
Nikki Beach Ibiza, Santa Eulalia
A key player in Ibiza’s beach club scene, Nikki Beach opens at 11am for brunch and only closes once the sun sets. Located in a pine-shaded cove in Santa Eulalia, on Ibiza’s east coast, this beautiful beachside spot offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, and the sort of upbeat vibe this internationally-famed brand has become known for. The venue also has a focus on first-class cuisine, sourcing top-quality ingredients and offering a variety of vegetarian options. It is, perhaps, with its sharing platters that Nikki Beach really excels – simply because social interaction is what this beach club is all about.
Visit ibiza.nikkibeach.com
O Beach Ibiza, Playa d’en Bossa
Opened in 2012 – a year after Ushuaïa Beach Club opened in Playa d’en Bossa – it didn’t take long for O Beach Ibiza (previously Ocean Beach Club) to become an Ibizan institution. Since then, everyone from Ed Sheeran to Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi to Jack Grealish, and Conor McGregor to the Wealdstone Raider (you might have to Google that one) have been photographed with club owner and Ibizan-institution-in-his-own-right Wayne Lineker. The vibe here is TOWIE on tour. Think champagne-filled water pistols and high heels around the pool. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Visit obeachibiza.com
The Beach by Ushuaïa, Playa d’en Bossa
The Ushuaïa resort is now home to one of Ibiza’s most popular beach clubs. Day clubbers can expect comfortable Balinese beds, relaxing sun-loungers, international cuisine and a party-like atmosphere thanks to contemporary house music that revs up as the day wears on. Fresh lobsters and langoustines, salads and sushi, rice dishes and burgers are all served on the beachside perimeter of the famous party hotel. A great way to get yourself in the mood for a late-afternoon dance around the more formal Ushuaïa pool.
Visit theushuaiaexperience.com