Ibiza has one of the most stunning sunsets in the world so it’s no surprise thousands choose to spend an evening or two watching the sunset each summer at one of the island’s sunset venues.
The most famous of all the locations is what is now referred to as San Antonio’s sunset strip. At around 9pm each evening the sun goes down on the west coast of the island. San Antonio has become the hot spot to catch this visually spectacular event each evening with a stunning soundtrack to match.
It wasn’t all that long ago that all that existed were rocks, sea and the now world famous Café Del Mar. The same venue that gave birth to the genre of chill out as we know it today and revolutionised the compilation CD. It was Café Del Mar and its early resident DJs such as Bruno and Phil Mison that managed to combine an ambient soundtrack with the beautiful setting and atmosphere of an Ibizian sunset.
It didn’t take long before the phenomenon of the Ibiza sunset became an institution where people from all over Ibiza come together to witness the days end and the night’s beginning.
Over the years that followed venue after venue has sprung up to cater for the increasing crowds. Now what you find is very different to a few rocks and a café. Two years ago the authorities took the decision to cover the area with a new boardwalk that now links this coastal spot of San Antonio with the port. Some will argue the charm has been damaged but there is no doubting it is an all-together more comfortable and fuller experience.
Here we introduce you to some of the best venues on ‘the strip’ and help you choose where to spend n evening enjoying the sunset.
Savannah
Owned by the same team behind it’s close neighbour Mambo, Savannah offers the dining, drinking and party experience all in one. It dominates the strip, being the access point for many who visit who walk through the veranda to reach Café Del Mar and Mambo. It sprawling promenade includes around thirty tables so plenty of space to dine and catch the sunset. DJs play throughout the summer and late into the night. On the right night you can catch some of the big names from club land warming up for their main events later in clubs like Eden and Space.
Café Del Mar
Café Del Mar can be almost like a pilgrimage for those that have bought the CDs or read about the hallowed sunset spot. What you actually find is a typical European café in an amazing setting. There’s sometimes a whiff of disappointment for tourists visiting Café Del Mar. It doesn’t do the big pre parties, there’s no food to speak of and you won’t find flashing lights or glitzy signs. What you find is a charming, understated and beautifully designed café with a local feel and great DJs.
Make sure you take a table, order a drink, listen to the music and stare out to sea. This was after all the spot that inspired the others around it.
Mambo
Mambo stole the crowd from Café Del Mar a few years ago and has been evolving ever since. It’ relationship with Pacha means it holds pre parties here for pretty much every night at the club. This has ensured a steady flow of the biggest DJ names in the business coming to grace the decks early evening and with them the crowds follow. It still provides the more downbeat vibes throughout the day alongside a good food menu, but once nightfall hits the soundtrack becomes all together more club like, even if the sound levels have been toned down in recent times.
Mambo has become an island institution and much like Café Del Mar is one of the most recognisable bars, possibly on the planet.
Kanya
Kanya has always been the hidden gem of the area. Today the main strip of Del Mar and Mambo has been connected to Kanya with a permanent pathway but for many years Kanya felt like it was in the wilderness, further down the coast.
One of the bar’s selling points is a swimming pool that drinkers are free to use throughout the day. The night’s tend to move to slightly harder variety of house and pre parties for clubs such as Eden.
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