Ushering in the new season can take on many forms on this island. Beachouse, true to its newly won reputation as a top party beach club, didn't disappoint in originality. Its summer welcome was a full on celebration of the coming year at the opening party last week. It is what you might expect from this place, which going into its second year of existence showed that it is not taking the mega success of its first season for granted.
Beachouse is located on one of the busiest beaches on Ibiza, Playa den Bossa, with the magnificent big sun that you get here. Being at the top end, it manages to create its own very special little place, just far enough away from the big hotels to give you a semi-secluded little paradise. Tranquil by day for those wanting to while away the time and relax, it metamorphoses into a cool party place as evening arrives, so you can welcome in the night dancing to some great tunes.
This year's opening was headlined by DJ/Producer Jean Claude Ades and supported by resident DJs Andy Baxter and Mr Doris. With Ades at the helm of the opening party, Beachouse picked up where it left off last year; he also did the closing event in October, so there was a nice bit of continuity for fans of the place. He took us into sunset and beyond with a long set, for which he is well known, providing the perfect musical backdrop to this exciting, super-fun party.
Surveying the room, it's fair to say that everyone was having a great time: happy faces and lots of dancing everywhere. That included the staff too, who all seemed genuinely happy to be working there; it gives the place a really infectious feel, something you just have to get a slice of. You'll see too that Beachouse attracts a great mix of people, all looking for enjoyment in a home-from-home atmosphere.
The music line-up for the season looks set to continue on the success of last year. First up is the hugely successful Rumors night courtesy of Israeli DJ Guy Gerber, with the first of these kicking off on 24 May and then every Sunday. Solomun's Diynamic Outdoor too will be returning to do Tuesday nights from 16 June continuing into September. If that weren't enough, there are two new nights planned for Wednesdays and Friday's featuring top DJs starting in July. Details are still under wraps so do look out for when they're revealed.
The owners Jonathan Thorogood and Olivia Fleury of El Chiringuito fame believe that it is the small details that make a place successful. This year there are some small cosmetic changes with the addition of some new Balinese furniture: wide and comfortable sun loungers and some new dark wood tables and chairs. They've also lowered the drinks prices a little as they want to make the place open to all who wish to come here.
The changes refine what was already a beautiful space; you'll find the same sweeping almost minimalist room in muted colours with its pieces of striking artwork dotted around. As you enter on the right, you'll see pictures, which look to be an homage to Andy Warhol's pop art style. The pictures by artist Benjamin Joseph feature famous DJ faces superimposed into that famous Warhol picture of Marilyn Monroe – see if you can work out who's who when you go.
Co-owner Olivia explained the idea of the place to us: “We were inspired by the venue and wanted it to be a kind of second home, with the kind of food you'd make at home. Our idea is to make sure guests are happy to be here whenever they come, so we offer a place that is super-chilled by day and, that also allows you to go a little crazy at night.”
If you are coming to eat, you'll find a simple and rustic Italian menu, with fresh pasta, risottos, fresh fish, grilled meats and an array of salads. You can get some lovely pizzas too, which use local tomatoes from Ibiza for the base sauce. There's an extensive wine collection, classic and house cocktails and even fresh juices on offer. You won't be left longing.
Beachouse is truly one of those places you'll wish to return to again and again. Make sure you try it out.
WORDS | Julian Heathcote PHOTOGRAPHY | Beachouse
