Category: Local News

Top Takeaways from Ibiza 2025

NIGHT CLUBS ARE BACK BABY

In truth they’ve never been away however 2025 has solidified Ibiza as the clubbing capital of the world (stop crying your heart out Las Vegas et al).

UNVRS has raised the bar with sheer size and production and other clubs have benefitted on the back of it by offering more old school nights.

For example, Chinois in Ibiza Town has been consistently going about its business and has started to reap the fruits of its labour.

While other destinations spend millions trying to reinvent the EDM genre, decades of unforgettable summers, legendary nights and word-of-mouth stories created a self-reinforcing myth with people coming to Ibiza expecting the best party of their life – and the island consistently delivers.

Ibiza doesn’t just host club nights, it invented the blueprint, perfected it and, as we have seen in 2025, never stops evolving.

BARS ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME

There are some notable exceptions to the rule but the humble Ibiza bar that had its heyday in 80/90/00s aren’t having a great time in the not so roaring 20s.

Daytime clubs are thriving, and with some strong new additions such as Clap House and Soho Farmhouse the sector is getting busier and attracting a more cross section of people with a plenty of choice.

The Ibiza club scene is ‘best in class’ so perched between day & night is your traditional Ibiza bar which is steadily losing its audience.

Zero spontaneity from the Instagram herd means that if a bar isn’t on the to-do list because of some gimmick then it’s more than likely going to be struggling during peak season, relying only on shoulder months for footfall.

INFRASTRUCTURE IMAGES

The October storms were a wake-up call for the Balearic Government with urgent improvements long overdue.

The Island bounced back quickly but despite the political manoeuvring and blame game plenty of questions remain as the early warning system sounded late, homes and businesses were inundated, tunnels were flooded and many roads were closed.

There’s lots of work to be done and what exactly is the tourist tax for? With a rumoured $400M unspent in the kitty if it’s not for improving the customer and resident experience then what’s the point of continuing to charge our biggest commodity?

PIKES / 528 BREAKOUT

The creators of Manumission and Ibiza Rocks have struck gold again with 528 Ibiza which was arguably the breakout venue of the summer (UNVRS notwithstanding).

The legendary Pikes has been on the circuit for a few summers and has become more mainstream through its sheer popularity and now with the addition of 528 in the San Antonio hills, the shackles have been thrown off and some incredible artists have revelled in the open air amphitheatre.

It’s been a slow burner for a couple of years but it’s now well and truly on the map. The ‘older’ crowd has never had it so good.

GEN Z – THE NEW WEEKEND WARRIORS

Generation Z are setting the Ibiza agenda with 3 nights now the official average stay on the White Isle. It hits the the sweet spot with a pre-planned itinerary that includes a beach club, a big club night, a recovery day and a final blow-out. Anything longer equals rapidly diminishing returns for their money.

Trips are now planned around Specific DJs, beach club and nightclub days/nights and content for their TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Gen Z’s philosophy is that they can capture the Ibiza experience in a long weekend with a high-intensity, fast-paced experience. A short, stacked trip feels more exciting than stretching it out.

So it’s Ibiza Thurs–Sun then another city later in the year. Great for the big venues but not so much for the small family businesses that have relied on mass tourism for decades.

THE CHANGING FACE OF SAN ANTONIO

For years San Antonio has been undervalued compared to Ibiza Town and Santa Eulalia because of image not fundamentals but the biggest long-term gains come from perception change, not perfection.

Ibiza Town is already priced for excellence whereas San Antonio is being re-priced upward.

The local government crackdown on cheap alcohol and bar crawls is a clear message against low-spend mass tourism. The noise has been reduced but the spend per visitor has increased – in other words fewer tourists, more money.

On an island that has been saturated, San An is where the value is especially as Gen Z & younger Millennials fit the new mould perfectly.

Whisper it loudly because the haters won’t believe you but San Antonio isn’t becoming another Ibiza Town it’s repositioning itself as Ibiza’s west-coast lifestyle and music district.

Have a great festive season, thanks to everyone who read my blog posts and listened to my podcasts in 2025.

Ibiza Bounces Back but Serious Questions Remain

Ibiza bounces back after severe flooding but serious questions need to be answered.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (01 Oct 2025) Ibiza was hit by the remnants of hurricane Gabrielle. While other towns on the island were relatively unscathed, Ibiza Town bore the extreme brunt of Mother Nature.

Word soon spread across the globe as photos and videos were uploaded on to social media laying bare in horrific detail the devastation, it soon became clear that this was one of the most damaging storms in living memory.

Saturated streets, mudslides, rockfalls, collapsed roofs, DC10 under water, UNVRS without power, flights missed, cars submerged, tunnels full of water, the port of Ibiza cascading with water as passengers disembarked up to their knees and the 2 most important hubs of the island – the airport and hospital – both leaking like a sieve. This was a generational event that would be spoken about for years to come.

The following day the water had subsided and the big clean up had started, wellington boots and plastic bags with rubber bands became the required ‘fashion accessory’. Many businesses had been badly affected with water damage, a thick layer of brown mud remained and residents in complete shock.

Amazingly Ibiza once again showed its ability to bounce back. Government agencies did an incredible job to clean up the mess, a special mention must go to ferry operator Balearia which moved quickly to transport 70 vehicles and 140 members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME) from the mainland to reinforce the operations.

Less than 24 hours later and the island was more or less back to full operation which was unthinkable a few hours before but with the calm after the storm some serious questions need to be asked.

The main one is why did the mobile phone alert come through just after midday on Tuesday, hours after the Island had been inundated?

Many had gone to work as usual on Tuesday morning unaware of the chaos they were about to face. Surely the alert should have been sent the previous night, it would have been a shock especially with the harsh ring tone it came with but isn’t that the point, warning the population that Tuesday would be a very different day.

When the alert came through it was all but over and many had driven into the danger areas oblivious of the hazards they were about to face.

Witnesses also say there wasn’t any police presence on major roads warning people or diverting traffic away from the flooded areas which included Can Misses hospital where people were heading for their appointments unaware to what they were about to find.

Also the islands infrastructure needs a serious upgrade, specifically the tunnel on the airport road under the Las Salinas turnoff which inconceivably drains into the normal municipal system and was still closed 3 days after the event. The government have been aware of this since 2007 yet nothing has been done.

The Local Police in Ibiza received over 120 call outs and 1200 homes were left without electricity but thankfully there were no reports of death or serious injury due to the storm.

So many people deserve plaudits for their hard work, in 72 hours they achieved what would normally take 6 weeks but it’s the modus operandi before the event and improvement to existing infrastructure that now needs an urgent and detailed review. 

What’s Happened to Ibiza’s Bars? 

80s Cocktails

Back in the 80s and 90s Ibiza was a very defined place. Party all night, sleep all day, it was that simple. Space opened in the early 90s and broke the rules with a 6am start but this was more of a ‘carry-on” rather than a daytime venue. 

By the early 2000’s daytime had started to become a thing. The Liverpool club Garlands had captured a voracious market for dancing in the daytime with their legendary Kanya parties in San Antonio before an ill fated move to Playa den Bossa put the brakes on but the seed had been sown. 

Ibiza Rocks’ iconic concerts with some of Europe’s biggest bands had pushed evening starting times even earlier (mainly due to noise controls) and Carl Cox’s takeover at Space started at 8pm. Something that was unheard of a decade earlier. 

Ushuaia opened in 2010 and copied the Ibiza Rocks model with daytime and evening events and then the beach clubs came to the fore.

O Beach, Nikki Beach, Nassau, Blue Marlin, Beachouse, Amante, Clap House, Beso Beach, El Silencio, Elements to name but a few that are now open for business. There’s something to wet everybody’s whistle from dancing semi naked with flying dinosaurs to delicious sushi on leopard skin beds and everything in between. The explosion of Ibiza’s daytime venues has been both unstoppable and remarkable.

Then we have Ibizas super clubs led by 2025’s opening of UNVRS, the self styled world’s first ‘hyper club’ and who can argue. Let’s add Hï, Pacha, Amnesia and DC10 into the mix and also throw in Chinois, Es Paradis and Eden with the biggest names in EDM music every night.

I’m not even going to go into Ibiza’s amazing culinary scene which is genuinely world class.

The options are limitless. Mind blowing if, like the majority of people, you only come to Ibiza for 3 or 4 nights. 

So in an overpopulated marketplace something’s gotta give so what about Ibiza’s famous bar scene? It was the backbone of the hedonistic White Isle society through the ages but is now finding it tough, positioned between the growing number of daytime venues and the night clubs.

I’m not including the bars that are destination venues, such as the sunset bars which are a phenomenon all to themselves. Who doesn’t come to Ibiza and have sundowners in an iconic surrounding like Mambo, Cafe del Mar, Kumharas, Mint Lounge, Sunset Ashram, Hostal la Torre and all the rest. These aren’t bars anymore, they are experiences with food and sometimes a hefty minimum spend. 

The humble bar where you walk in and have a beer or a gin and tonic and shoot the breeze are the ones getting squeezed. Their market is diminishing as there isn’t enough hours in the day. It’s all about daytime parties where you dress to impress in secure surroundings, food, sunset cocktails, super clubs with world famous DJ’s. In other words Instagrammable moments. 

Whereas once it was cheap hotels, sleeping on the beach all day, a pre-party, sitting on stools watching the club parades, a mini bar crawl then clubbing into the small hours, now it’s a 4 or 5 star hotel and a pre-planned schedule for 18 hours a day with very little room for spontaneity.

The beauty of Ibiza is that it’s an ever changing environment that constantly reinvents itself. That’s why it’s at the top of its game but also why some traditional businesses have been overtaken. What’s the next big thing going to be?

The Curious Case of ‘Frank the Stagman’

Where do we start with ‘Frank the Stagman’?

You may or may not have heard of him, the eponymous hero of his own story, the clue is in the self titled name. He made his reputation on the notorious stag and hen circuit in Benidorm offering tailor made packages and running his own travel agency and bar, parading around town in his hi-vis supercar, happily posing for photos with whoever wants one.

Frank clearly understands the power of social media and, as many do, he likes to document his life online. A no holds barred blitz of verbal diarrhoea documenting his thoughts, ideas and wishes including, rather bizarrely, details of his partner Jade who performs a live sex show much to his delight. As he says himself he loves ‘watching her get railed’. Each to their own and they are consenting adults so it’s none of anyone else’s business whatever sexual fetish they so choose to partake in. It’s all part of the strange make up of this couple and maybe to some, part of the attraction.

Where the story becomes relevant to this self titled ‘Man in San An’ is Frank’s quest to conquer San Antonio’s West End through his alleged ‘purchase’ of the Lux nightclub formerly known as Play 2, home of a thousand memories for those lucky enough to be in San Antonio during the glory days of the 90’s and 00’s.

Judging from the online comments (and private Whatsapp messages) it’s safe to say that Frank is a marmite figure but he has a loyal following back in Benidorm and plays to his strengths and his adoring crowd. Where this tale becomes slightly more dramatic is his online strategy of pronouncing himself to be the chosen one sent to ‘save’ the West End, the infamous street stretching a couple of hundred metres in the urban centre of San Antonio.

Watching and listening to his online posts was a mixture of high octane energy mixed in with a touch of delusion and a rounded off with some ‘Jackanory’ (look it up kids) but who doesn’t like to spin a tale on social media these days especially when you’re trying to sell something. Some might say he’s another online narcissist hooked on the attention that only social media can shine a light on but I couldn’t possibly comment and maybe people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, but these platforms can work both ways and it’s a brave decision to become such a vocal disruptor in an already busy street with plenty of characters, petty jealousies and egos.

San Antonio veterans like myself and my social circle have seen it all before, a bravado performance lacking a little in self awareness and asking for trouble. A high stakes game that can make or break a reputation.

Needless to say Frank’s quest to ‘save the West End’ didn’t end well. I had September in the sweepstake so when he packed up his his bright yellow sports car and legged it back to the mainland before the end of July I was annoyed that I hadn’t been braver with my prediction.

It turns out that the West End doesn’t need ‘saving’ after all. It has its challenges, it needs evolution and new ideas and brave decisions but it doesn’t need those looking for a quick buck who don’t understand the dynamic of an area consistently in the spotlight. After retreating to his safe space Frank finally owned up to his ‘failure’ and unsurprisingly it was everyone’s else’s fault except his own.

What is reassuring about this story is that Ibiza is still an incredibly difficult nut to crack especially when you’re trying to bring a bit of Benidorm into the mix. The island has moved on in so many ways and any business needs investment. Not just money but time, effort and real graft rather than a few social media posts promising the world but ultimately delivering very little.

I don’t know Frank or Jade and hold no ill will for him or his modus operandi and at least they ‘had a go’ even if they did leave with their tails firmly between their legs but Ibiza isn’t Benidorm or anywhere else in the world for that matter. I hope he continues to be successful wherever he chooses to operate but let the Stagman’s tale be a cautionary one for those looking to reinvent the wheel and make some quick euros on the White Isle. As the old saying goes….you don’t choose Ibiza, Ibiza chooses you.

Carnage on a Sunny Sunday Ibiza Morning

Scene of the Crime

On Sunday morning I decided to take a walk. I won’t bore you with the details but I was trying out a rucksack I had purchased for my winter travels. I was bumbling along at a gentle pace when I happened upon a scene of pure carnage at Es Pouet beach near the NYX hotel in San Antonio. Several ambulances with flashing lights, 3 people being attended to, one of them in a very bad way.

It was a scene of nightmares. I saw a guy I knew with his wife who was obviously still in shock. They had witnessed the accident, had been right next to the three young ladies as they had been mown down by the big Jeep Wrangler driving erratically, hitting a lamppost and a bin.

It was 11.30am on a Sunday morning for god’s sake. I hung around like a spare part taking a few photos as is my instinct at these times. I put the pics on our British Association whatsapp group to share the news and someone came back straight away with the following

“I saw this guy driving near my work this morning. He was on the wrong side of the road as had a balloon going on”

Let that sink in for a minute.

Words truly fail me at these times. The witness at the scene described to me in detail what he had seen and said straight away that he feared the worst for the young girl and unfortunately he was proved correct when a little later word came through that she had tragically passed away. Innocently walking down the street on a Sunday morning in the Ibiza sunshine.

It’s times like this when I hate it. The whole free spirit thing, do what you love, love what you do but I need to remind myself that the man arrested for this heinous crime is the exception not the rule. We can’t blame anything or anyone apart from him for his actions. He was the one speeding, he was the one sucking on a balloon in a 1 ton vehicle which became a deadly weapon.

It could have been my friends, it could have been my children, it could have been you or me but tragically it was 3 innocent young ladies in their early 20s who were in the wrong place at the wrong time minding their own business until a selfish show off in a powerful SUV decided that his petty enjoyment was more important than the life of a girl he will never know but always remember.

The arrested man will now face justice and be given what he deserves, I will leave that to the Spanish courts but whatever he subsequently has to face it will be nothing compared to the news that some poor parents are now trying to process. A daughter on holiday who won’t be coming home.

Truly Heartbreaking.

You Reap What You Sow 

Graffiti in Barcelona

Has the penny dropped yet? Activists on Spanish streets shouting anti tourist slogans, graffiti on Barcelona walls saying ‘tourist go home’, keyboard warriors always willing to double down on why ‘tourism’ is such a dirty word. Idealist thinking at its most dangerous.

Empty streets, staff being laid off, restaurants 40% down in Mallorca, Balearic businesses closing. Can you join up the dots here? It’s August and tempers are starting to fray but the current situation has only shined a brighter light on Spain and Ibiza’s issues and many are seeking answers. The Ibiza business model that took 40 years to mould has taken 5 years to destroy.

Social media might tell you that all in the garden is rosy however as any serious user of ‘InstaSnapFace’ knows you should never let the facts get in the way of a good story, like influencers peddling their ‘perfect lives’ until you meet them only to realise they are neurotic basket cases using likes and views as their only currency. 

If I’m not making any sense then let me spell it out with a simple equation. Tourismophobia + high prices + poor service = trouble. 

But this is only half the story on the White Isle. 3 night weekend offenders who pre-book everything and only use the same 10 businesses (that all have a digital marketing army behind them), adult only signs, a small amount of families (who rarely leave their all inclusive hotel), an airport arrival lounge that doubles as a discotheque, fluid hotel pricing to eye watering levels and many other things are marginalising the middle market mass tourism that historically accounted for the majority of Ibiza’s income. 

The world is too small, there are too many other options to think you can pull the wool over the eyes of those valuable tourists. The re-emergence of Greece, the consistent quality of Turkey, the new markets opening up, forever tempting the tourist dollar. As any holiday company boss will tell you, it’s a cut throat business.

Ibiza has world class day and nightclubs, a rich culinary history that has now added top-end restaurants, a UNESCO world heritage site equivalent to any in the Mediterranean, natural beauty beyond compare. All the ingredients are there yet the final recipe is a bitter taste to many.

It’s a new order and many businesses are struggling under the pressure. The complementary offering can’t get a foothold anymore and whereas in previous years many could withstand the odd bad year, now it’s almost impossible.

The big businesses are becoming all powerful, there’s no room for others. The investment is so high that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of success. Places that previously relied on historic goodwill have their wings clipped so are unable to function like before. Never has the phrase ‘the rich get richer and the poor get poorer’ been so apt. The Ibiza of 2025 is a relentless, ruthless place unforgiving for those who aren’t on the same page or lucky enough to be on the top table.

Ibiza is and always has been an incredible destination but the equilibrium is now so skewed that it’s creating social tension which has spilled over and blamed the one thing it can’t do without, the proverbial shooting yourself in the foot.

And guess what…. it looks like those pesky tourists who come over to Spain and the Balearics, and more specifically Ibiza and Mallorca, with pockets full of credit cards and have the audacity to enjoy themselves have started reading the headlines with placards and graffiti saying ‘tourist go home’. As the old saying goes, you reap what you sow.

Ibiza Summer 2025 Flattering to Deceive?

Ibiza Old Town

After a strong start the Ibiza summer season has settled into a groove and although it’s not an unfamiliar cry, the word on the street is ‘quiet’…..and not in decibels.

April and May started brightly as it often does but once the island opened up completely things started to tail off a little especially for the secondary businesses such as bars and restaurants not on the frontline.

I’ve often written about Ibizas ‘top table’, those businesses that appear to be bullet proof – places that perform year in and year out fuelled by social media and spin and these have been busy although some are showing signs of lethargy. 

The introduction of a new high capacity super club has changed the night time dynamic and it would be naive to suggest that this hasn’t affected other businesses in that sector. After a strong opening there’s now plenty of freebies flying about for workers and residents and it stands to reason that a new establishment that has spent tens of millions can’t take the risk of being empty, it devalues their brand and investment and more importantly it deters genuine payers from walking through the door. Perception as opposed to reality is everything in Ibiza.  

The official stats show that the average stay in Ibiza is now a little over 3 nights and this continues to have a massive impact on the island. The modern day tourist is ‘cash rich and time poor’ with 72 hours for their White Isle experience, most have their holidays planned months in advance fuelled by social media. This is good news for a few (the top table again) but bad news for the vast majority. 

72 hours isn’t enough time to sample anything apart from the same few places that appeal to their demographic so the other establishments that aren’t on the A-list remain quiet even going into the peak season. 

Price is also playing a big part. Ibiza is steadily edging up from ‘expensive’ to ‘downright ridiculous’. These are the prices that go with world famous brands however the good news is that increased competition has motivated some clubs to start offering drinks deals that makes the entrance ticket more reasonably priced. 

It’s not panic time yet and it’s not unusual to have a lull in the first half of July but there will be a few worried businesses. August is around the corner and then the countdown is on for the end of season. September is historically a strong month especially with the club closings now at the start of October but is that enough time to claw back any early season losses? 

As is usual with Ibiza, it’s all gone in a blink of an eye and it remains to be seen whether 2025 will be viewed as a success, the mid term report is still very much undecided. 

‘Is Ibiza at Breaking Point?’ – Sky News

Dear Gemma….

Sky News’ latest report ‘Is Tourism in Ibiza at Breaking Point?’ (WATCH HERE) throws up some interesting questions so let’s break it down piece by piece.

Shanty Towns and Makeshift Camps

There’s no doubt that that this is a clear and present problem on the island but it’s important to flag up a few things and look at it from both sides. 

Property prices have increased over the last decade meaning that rental prices have sky rocketed due to the simple issue of supply and demand. The vast majority of properties are owned by Spanish and the ‘rich foreigners’ buying all the properties is a million miles from the truth.

The big houses may get snapped up by the international glitterati but the normal 2 and 3 bedroom apartments are almost exclusively the realm of locals and this is what is being rented at eye watering prices so if a dubious finger needs to be pointed then let’s leave ‘rich foreigners’ out of the convo.

No mention of the ridiculously lopsided rights of tenants that makes renting a minefield and leaves hundreds and possibly thousands of properties empty, unlicensed ‘agents’ who prey on the property market or how about the landlords who are renting short term to tourists.

The big takeaway from Gemma Peplow’s erratic report is that the people living in these makeshift sites are doing it out of choice not obligation. This isn’t a humanitarian crisis, it’s a straight choice. The interviewees say it themselves. Mohammed from Western Sahara says “renting here is expensive, I am not going to pay it, it’s better to live on the streets”. Charlie the children’s entertainer  says “I don’t want to pay the rents” so chooses to live in a caravan and fellow camp mate Victor chips in with “if I don’t serve the rich and famous then who will?” 

This justification from Victor is exactly that, he has made an economic choice to take Ibiza’s above average wages but lives in a caravan with his wife and daughter so avoiding paying rent. Good on you Victor but this is your choice and if I was being pedantic I’d add that it’s not your place to worry about staffing levels at top end establishments, that’s for the big companies to concern themselves over and you living in a caravan is making them avoid it a little bit longer and pay you less than you possibly deserve.

Let’s not sugar coat this serious issue. Ibiza has a massive housing crisis but workers who live in campsites out of economic choice shouldn’t be the focus. Why isn’t Gemma interviewing health workers, police, teachers, those the island need 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The government’s lack of foresight on a situation that has been coming for over a decade is shameful and needs to be held to account by a serious news organisation.

Mohammed from Western Sahara shouldn’t be front and centre, it should be Nieves the nurse from Andalusia who can’t find affordable housing so medical appointments are cancelled or pushed back or Carlos the policeman from Murcia who struggles to feed his family as his rent is so inflated.

Crime 

Yes this is a problem that isn’t getting better. The massive influx of the jet set over the summer means that for 3 months the island becomes pretty much lawless due to lack of police officers. It’s always been this way but it has been magnified over the last decade with the steady rise of tourism.  More police is needed in the summer when numbers are high and less roadblocks in the winter when it can sometimes feel like living in a police state. 

Beaches and Sewage 

This was an alarming item and one that made me sit up and listen. I need to verify the facts, as the devil is always in the detail, but if half of Ibiza’s beaches have decreased in quality over the last 15 years then this is something that needs addressing. Ibiza’s USP apart from the world’s best clubs is it’s natural beauty and this should never be compromised. As for the sewage, this has been happening for years and isn’t as much down to over tourism as to lack of investment in the infrastructure and this finger can be pointed in a multitude of directions. 

Finally the anonymous DJ. Those on the island all know who this is and he obviously now has a taste for the spotlight. Was this thrown in just to make the report funky as it had zero relevance whatsoever.

Conclusion 

What on the face of it was a hard hitting report had too many sweeping statements not backed up by any actual evidence or statistics. No interviews with key workers who should be the focus, only chats with local Facebookers.

Instead of looking for sensationalist headlines Gemma Peplow needs to interview some genuine heavyweights to get to the bottom of the serious issues that Ibiza is facing and put some actual meat on the bone, not a puff piece that will be forgotten in days. If Ms Peplow actually did her homework there is a massive story there but after BBC’s laughable docu-series this is another so called major player missing a gaping open goal. 

The Rise and Rise of Pikes Ibiza

Ibiza is forever evolving, UNVRS has opened to almost universal acclaim (see what I did there) raising the stakes on the island yet again and the clubbing world. 

The beauty of the White Isle is that there is something for all ages but these days it’s especially good for an ‘older crowd’ and by this I mean 35+. Some of the best restaurants in Europe, cool bars to hang out in sipping long drinks and cocktails, beach clubs and night clubs where older faces aren’t greeted by shock and horror by young whippersnappers with too much energy and not enough experience.

The jewel in this coveted crown is undoubtedly Pikes, the rock ‘n’ roll hotel made famous by Tony Pike and his dangerously high libido (if you haven’t read his book then I can heartily recommend it).

The story of the making of Wham’s Club Tropicana video is much told but never gets old for those of a certain age. Throw in Freddie Mercury in his heyday and a bit of prime Grace Jones and more recently Kylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran and Rock n Roll doesn’t even come close to describing the antics. If only the walls could talk. 

The beauty of Pikes is that it’s accessible to all but here’s the best bit – you’re welcome as long as you’re over 27 and not a c**** (see sign on door if offended). Guestlist only via their website avoids those ridiculous super club entrance prices and gives a special glow when walking in (if you don’t have flip flops and glitter and can get past the eagle eyed Ebony).

The place is sumptuous with lush gardens lit to perfection. Different areas cater for different tastes. The pool terrace with its nooks and crannies is a super cool place to hangout before midnight especially the famous poolside table and the courtyard with separate bar area where the restaurant used to be is ideal for mingling.

Freddie’s is the iconic bijou nightclub where the great and the good have all played. Its pulsating beats will penetrate your soul, throw in the ping pong ball karaoke bathtub (you did read that correctly) and the piano singalong bar area with Roberto and you’re probably starting to understand that this is no ordinary night out but Pikes is no ordinary place and Ibiza is no ordinary island.

The garden terrace which doubles up as a restaurant before midnight is where you go to chill and chat. All in all it’s the complete package for the more discerning who want to have some good old fashioned adult fun. 

Pikes has become so successful in its own right that they have now taken its ‘Pikes Presents’ concept on Tuesdays to their sister venue 528, a cool place nestled in the hills on the outskirts of San Antonio, or as they put it ‘an outdoor venue that embraces the island’s natural beauty and energy, a place perfectly in tune with the Pikes spirit.

This promises to be something different once again, in keeping with their USP which is to prioritise the older crowd in cool surroundings with a door price that won’t break the bank. Since it’s launch in 2018 Pikes Presents has seen the likes of Fatboy Slim, The Blessed Madonna & Kylie Minogue (yes, really!), Sven Väth, Robyn, Mark Ronson, Carl Craig, Goldie, Jarvis Cocker, Miles Kane and Denis Sulta – just to name a few so expecy some surprises.

Pikes and ‘Pikes Presents’ continue to be the flag bearers for an older crowd who have no intention of stopping anytime soon. The Club Tropicana drinks might not be free but I for one, am all in! 

 

Balearic Property Prices Hit All Time High

Get ready for a stat attack!
A couple of things to bear in mind before reading
• Spain’s Idealista website portal is similar to RightMove in the UK, ImmobilienScout24 in Germany and Funda in the Netherlands.
• Spanish property prices are quoted as ‘per square metre’ (PSM) – so if €4000 PSM is quoted then a house that measures 100m2 (1076ft2) will cost €400,000.
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The average property price in the Balearics is now €4905 PSM, the most expensive in the whole of Spain and nearly double that of Catalunya in 5th place. This is a 13.5% year-on-year increase according to Spanish portal Idealista in their latest real estate price index. The data also shows an increase of 2.4% in the last 3 months and 1.4% compared to April.

With regards to municipalities the Balearics hold the top 8 berths in the national pricing chart with Formentera top, coming in at a cool €8794 PSM, 5.9% more than a year ago, a quarterly and monthly increase of 3.5 and 5.9% respectively.  Sant Joan de Labritja is with €7898 PSM, 7.5% more than a year ago and 1% more than the previous month.

Andratx in Mallorca is 3rd nationally with Santa Eulalia del Rio in 4th at €7532 PSM which reflects an increase of 7.2% compared to the same period of 2024 and 1.7% compared to April. The quarterly increase is 3.3%. 5th on the national list is Sant Josep de sa Talaia with an average price of €7089 PSM and an annual increase has been 5.1%. Calvia which includes Magaluf in Mallorca is 6th while San Antonio comes in at 7th showing the largest yearly increase with 21.1%, standing at €6702 PSM a quarterly increase of 5.3%

Ibiza Town is 8th with €6625 PSM, 0.6% more than a year ago, which represents a quarterly increase of 1.4%.

The top 5 Spanish autonomous communities for property prices
1. Balearic Islands €4905 PSM,
2. Madrid €4,234
3. Basque Country €3179
4. Canary Islands €3,039
5. Catalunya €2560.

At the opposite end of the table are the regions of Castilla-La Mancha with average property prices of €961 PSM, Extremadura €982 and Castilla y León €1216 are the cheapest communities for property prices according to Idealista.

Nationally, the price of housing in Spain has risen by 12.8% year-on-year, standing at an average of €2391 PSM. This data represents an increase of 5.3% in the last three months, 1.7% compared to April and the highest property prices in Spain since idealista records began. 

All the autonomous communities show higher prices compared to the previous year with the exception of Extremadura, where the expectations of sellers fell by 1.3%. The Community of Madrid with 24.3% leads the increases, followed by the Canary Islands 18.2%, Murcia 18.1%, Valencian Community 17.5%, Andalucía 14.3% and Cantabria 13.2%

Below the national average are the increases of Asturias (10.9%), Euskadi (8.6%), Catalunya (6.5%), Aragon (2.8%), Galicia and Castilla-La Mancha (2.7% in both regions). The lowest increases occurred in Navarra (2.1%), La Rioja (2.1%) and Castilla y León (2.3%).

A total of 41 provinces have higher prices than those recorded in May last year. The largest increase has been experienced in the Community of Madrid where the expectations of sellers have grown by 24.3%, followed by Santa Cruz de Tenerife (19.4%), Murcia (18.1%), Alicante (15.8%), Valencia (15.8%) and Malaga (15.3%). A total of 9 provinces have experienced price decreases in used housing led by Ourense (-7.8%), Badajoz (-3.4%), Cuenca (-2.7%), Soria (-2.6%) and Teruel (-1.9%).

Ciudad Real is the cheapest place in Spain to buy a property with a price of €741 PSM. It is followed by Cuenca (€831) and Jaén (€833).

PRICES FOR SPAIN BY AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITIES/CITIES
Location – Price in €/PSM (May 25)
Spain 2,391 (average)
1. Balearics 4,905
2. Madrid 4,234
3. Basque Country 3,179
4. Canarias 3,039
5.,Catalunya 2,560
6. Andalucia 2,468
7. Ceuta 2,325
8. Valencia 2,207
9. Melilla 2,073
10. Cantabria 1,841
11. Navarra 1,753
12. Asturias 1,538
13.,Aragon 1,469
14. Murcia 1,458
15. Galicia 1,434
16. La Rioja 1,362
17. Castilla y Leon 1,216
18. Extremadura 982
19. Castilla La Mancha 961

PRICES FOR BALEARICS BY MUNICIPALITY
M=Mallorca/Me=Menorca/I=Ibiza/F=Formentera
Location – Price in €/PSM (May 25)
Balearics 4,905 (average)
1. Formentera (F) 8,794
2. Sant Joan de Labritja (I) 7,898
3. Andratx (M) 7,545
4. Santa Eulalia del Río (I) 7,532
5. Sant Josep de Sa Talaia (I) 7,089
6. Calvià (M) 6,790
7. Sant Antoni de Portmany (I) 6,702
8. Eivissa (I) 6,625
9. Cala d’Or (M) 5,587
10. Puigpunyent (M) 5,414
11. Santanyi (M) 5,332
12. Puerto de Pollença (M) 5,182
13. Soller (M) 5,001
14. Sa Ràpita (M) 4,971
15. Santa Maria del Cami (M) 4,827
16. Palma de Mallorca (M) 4,772
17. Colonia de Sant Jordi (M) 4,610
18. Colonia de Sant Pere (M) 4,532
19. Alcúdia (M) 4,493
20. Pollença (M) 4,337
21. Alaró (M) 4,185
22. Bunyola (M) 4,162
23. Es Mercadal (Me) 4,135
24. Porto Colom (M) 4,091
25. Llucmajor (M) 3,966
26. Capdepera (M) 3,952
27. Cala Ratjada (M) 3,879
28. Alaior (Me) 3,814
29. Ciutadella (Me) 3,740
30. Sa Coma (M) 3,698
31. Sencelles (M) 3,631
32. Marratxi (M) 3,491
33. Cala Millor (M) 3,407
34. Santa Margalida (M) 3,395
35. Algaida (M) 3,303
36. Mahon (Me) 3,187
37. Llubi (M) 3,153
38. Campanet (M) 3,143
39. Es Castell (Me) 3,033
40. Manacor (M) 3,018
41. Son Servera (M) 2,967
42. Sineu (M) 2,930
43. Montuiri (M) 2,852
44. Selva (M) 2,622
45. Lloseta (M) 2,478
46. Porreres (M) 2,416
47. Inca (M) 2,304
48. Muro (M) 2,124
49. Felanitx (M) 2,086
50. Sa Pobla (M) 1,848
51. Sant Joan (M) 1,583
NOTE: If a Balearic municipality is not quoted then no data is available

Martin Makepeace is MD/owner at Ibiza Property Shop