Space. The club of the clubs. The original after-hour venue. Much has changed for beloved Space over the course of the last decade. Gone are the 8am opening hours and frivolous daytime shenanigans such as Manumission's carry-on and Matinée and gone also is We Love's 22 hour marathon from Sunday 8am to Monday 6am. But Space has embraced the change and has turned into the best-organised nightclub of Ibiza - and the clubbers reap the benefits. It's not for nothing that the venue has been voted 'world's best club' various times over the past few years.
Space has just turned 25 and despite all the competition the venue is now facing in Playa d'en Bossa, it remains one of the defining clubs on the island with some of the best parties happening on a weekly basis. Here are my tips for a trip to Space.
Daytime action. As mentioned, you can't go to Space at 8am anymore sadly, but on a few days of the week Space still opens early-ish - and all of these opportunities are worthwile. On Sundays, We Love opens at 4:30pm and with their 'Stripped' concept on the Sunset Terrace they get as close as you can get to the old Sunday We Love daytime feeling. It's not something you can explain really, you need to go and feel it. On Tuesdays, Carl Cox' party opens at 8pm and kicks off on the very same Sunset Terrace. ENTER. on Thursdays opens at 9pm and yeah you've guessed it, the action starts on the same dancefloor too. Try and fit one early visit to Space in, enjoy the vibe and the fact that you're in for a proper long rave which goes on until 7am the next day!
Space sound. Ibiza's best soundsystem is installed in Space's main room, the Discoteca. While the Terraza as well as the Sunset Terrace both have great soundsystems, the Discoteca is king. Position yourself in the centre of the room and enjoy the best sound quality of the island, simple as that. Eargasm guaranteed.
Bars and drinks. Boasting five dancefloors, Space is one of the most impressive clubs on Ibiza. Don't worry if you get lost, you're not the first one to lose their orientation inside the venue. But as there are so many rooms and every room has various bars, here are some tips.
1. There are drink deals available in Space. Check out the merchandising shop on the way to the Discoteca from the main entrance. I can't tell you the details, but if you're a group of people or someone who simply likes to have more than just a drink or two, then go for it. You will definitely save some money.
2. The shortest wait until you get served is in the Discoteca, head to the bar to the far front right, just next to the DJ booth as you look at the DJ. Close to this bar there are also a few tables with chairs by the way. Perfect if your missus decided to hit Space in high heels. The bar in El Salon is normally also one of the very quick ones.
3. The best drink is only available on Thursdays and it will set you back 20€, but try the MINUS cocktail on the Sunset Terrace on ENTER.Sake. You won't regret it.
4. The loveliest bar staff reside in the aforementioned bar in the Discoteca (front right) and on the main terrace (Terraza) at the bar to the right of the DJ booth.
Places to chill. We all know it. Sometimes you just have to take a break. Space has two amazing areas for these cases. One is El Salon, the smallest room of the club which is located to the right / behind the main terrace. The 'living room' is a really cosy place and perfect to hang out for a while and have a drink. But be warned, often the music in El Salon is brilliant; many a night we said "let's go to El Salon, just for a drink" (famous last words) then stumbled out of El Salon when they turned the music off at the end of the night. The second option is the rooftop, better known as Premier Etage. This area often gets very busy, but it's understandable why - it's pretty much open so you can get some fresh air. And let's not forget about the yellow submarine up there. Many a love affair, relationship or friendship has been founded exactly there.
Getting hungry. Not a problem, there is a new pizza corner now, located on the Sunset Terrace.
DJ set times. can be found in various places. They're published in both the merchandising shops as well as on the glass door that leads from the main entrance to into the Terraza. Often they also have the set times outside at the door, even before you get in.
Cloakroom / ATM. Neither, so don't look!
Pepe Roselló. The most charismatic of all Ibiza club owners, and such a gentleman. He's always around on the opening and closing nights of the club as well as for some of the special parties. If you've ever seen him live in action you will understand. Just a few nights ago, it was he who took to the mic and started singing happy birthday to none other than Carl Cox... with the whole Discoteca joining in of course! He's also one of the few people in such a position that you really feel cares for the island.
Space opening and closing. The car park is transformed into a huge, festival-style outdoor stage called the Flight Area. It's always a highlight of the season, so don't miss it.
We'll continue with Amnesia after the weekend.
Clubbing like a boss: Pacha
Clubbing like a boss: Amnesia
Clubbing like a boss: Ushuaïa
WORDS | Michael Stivanello
