Why Come?
This is a truly magical time on the island. August crowds are long gone and the people coming to or left on the island are generally there purely for the music. There are still more than enough people to pack out all the closing parties (indeed they can be some of the busiest of the year), but the island is no longer swarming with party-goers and PR workers – so you can actually get some of those beautiful spots on the island to yourselves. The average age of clubbers is slightly higher than mid-season, as you get a lot of people who have been visiting Ibiza for many years coming out purely for the closing parties.
These parties are legendary – expect lots of ‘magic moments,' with clubber camaraderie at an all time high and DJs taking risks and letting their hair down for one last time. You also get a lot more 'bang for your buck' by purchasing tickets to these nights; all closing parties, especially during (but not limited to) the final two weeks, tend to go for a lot longer than usual, so the closing period is an excellent opportunity for clubbers to prove their mettle by dancing well past breakfast at every opportunity.
How do you get here?
Taking the example of flying from the UK, flights are still readily available in September, though slightly less so in October. Prices vary wildly, but do get cheaper the later you go, as it is no longer peak season. Ryan Air flights are often the cheapest but only if you're not checking in baggage – then prices can climb astronomically, so watch out! Flying isn't the only option open to you, of course. Many people drive over, and although it's not the most effective method to travel over for a short break you could always make the trip longer by taking in the sights and sounds of Europe on the way. According to Google Maps, driving from London to Ibiza would take around 22 hours, at 1113 miles, including the train through the Channel Tunnel to France and the Ferry from Barcelona to Ibiza Town. Working that out at around 10p per mile the cost is £111.30 or €140. The ferry from Barcelona to Eivissa is around €200 each way depending on the day you travel, and the Eurotunnel train with a car comes out at around £75 each way. So between 4 or 5 people that's not so bad, and an interesting way to start and finish your trip, depending on the condition you're in.
Flight Information - ibiza-spotlight.com/travel_flights
Ferry Information - ibiza-spotlight.com/flights/ferries
Where should you stay?
Hotels
Hotels for clubbers - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/clubbing_hotels
Playa d'en Bossa Hotels - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/accommodation_pdb
San Antonio Hotels - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/accommodation_san_an
Ibiza Town Hotels - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/accommodation_ibiza
Apartments
Playa d'en Bossa Apartments - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/apartment_pdb
San Antonio Apartments - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/apartments_san_an
Ibiza Town Apartments - ibiza-spotlight.com/hotelguide/apartments_ibiza
Where you stay all depends on where you will be going out most. Although the fact that Space, Ushuaïa, DC10 and Sankeys are all based around the PDB area would lead me to suggest that staying around there would probably be best to save on transport costs to and from all the events. This way you can be within walking distance of a much needed disco nap inbetween the various parties. By day 3/4 of little to no sleep you'll probably need as much help as possible to get home, and so the shorter that distance, the better.
Island Transport:
Bus – There are various bus routes around the island that run from morning to evening. Prices are at about €1-3 depending on the route and time.
Details here - ibizabus.com
For the night hours there is also a Discobus service, which takes clubbers in San An, PDB and Ibiza Town to and from all the major clubs on the island. This will set you back 3euros as a standard rate.
The bad news is the Discobus service finishes on September 30th, so if you're coming out for the October closings you will need to factor some taxi money into your budget. If you're on a shoestring it pays to remember than many regular bus services, although not frequent, start running at about 7am, so you can always wait around for one of those to show up and save on the cab (try not to terrorise the locals on their way to work with your post-disco face and aroma).
Privilege runs a free bus service, taking people home to PDB or San Antonio, but it's just the one bus, so you can't always rely on getting on it. Amnesia also has a free bus service taking clubbers to Amnesia from San Antonio, but again, when it will come and whether you will get on can't be guaranteed.
Taxi – There are many taxis around in each of the major towns. Just look for the line of white cars! The main taxi rank in San An is at the bottom of the West End, and there are various taxi ranks along the main road in PDB. You're looking at around €8 from PDB to Ibiza Town, around €30 between PDB and San An, and around €25 between San An and Ibiza Town.
Anything Else?
Most of the bars and beach clubs will still be open during September but you can't count on all of them. Sa Trinxa on Salinas beach is a cool afternoon hangout spot for clubbers, which remains open until late in the season. A lovely and free entertainment option is of course watching the sunset, which, at this time of the year, is particularly good to watch from Cap D'es Falco, in the Salinas area.
Finally, don't be fooled into thinking Ibiza is a sweltering sunny paradise all year round. By the time October rolls around, things are pretty nippy – so don't forget some warm clothes, and don't start bragging to your friends about the tan you're going to come back with. With the ridiculously packed clubbing schedule we're about to lay out for you, you'll be lucky to see much daylight.
Party Guide:
Whilst most of the closing action commences late September, a few parties are knocking off early. Tuesday September 11th, for example, presents you with a difficult decision; choose between the Ibiza Live at Eden, Flower Power at Pacha and Diynamic at Sankeys closing parties. Viva Warriors closing is the day after, also at Sankeys, then recover in time for the last crazy El Row in Vista Club of Privilege on Saturday the 15th. Then, from the following week onwards, closing parties start going off like firecrackers.
On September the 18th we suggest you say your final goodbyes to Carl Cox Tuesdays, but don't be sad - you're in very good company, the line up featuring Carl Cox, Loco Dice, tINI, DJ Sneak, Yousef, John Rundell and many more. Remember Carl Cox nights start earlier than most at 8pm.
You have only until the next evening to recover, before heading off for a different style of music at the Ibiza Rocks closing party, kicking off at 7pm on Wednesday the 19th. Northern Irish exports Two Door Cinema Club will be rocking you into the night, with support from Theme Park.
Thursday the 20th will surely divide the island. Trance and electro nuts will flock to the Cream closing party with Paul Van Dyk, Gareth Emery and Adam Sheridan in the main room and Calvin Harris, Benny Benassi and Burns entertaining those in the Terrace. Techno fiends, on the other hand, will not be missing the finale to Richie Hawtin's debut season of ENTER. One of the most talked about parties of the summer, the closing will be one to remember with Maya Jane Coles (don't miss her – she starts at 10pm sharp in El Salon), Remo, Nick Curly, Magda, Paco Osuna, Ambivalent, Matador and Hawtin himself all playing this occasion. Go forth – and choose your side.
Friday the 21st is jam-packed with closing parties. First off the blocks is the closing party of W.A.R. at Ibiza Rocks Hotel (in San Antonio) with Mark Ronson and Zane Lowe. A nice alternative to W.A.R. is on the other side of the island at Ushuaïa, with the final Sasha party at this venue. A great line-up at this one - you'll enjoy Sasha, Steve Bug, Scuba and Blond-ish. Both W.A.R. and Sasha finish at midnight, so if you're game you could then head to the Beat & Raw closing at Space (opposite Ushuaïa) featuring Justice (DJ set), Cassius, Optimo and The Rapture (DJ set), or Fiesta Del Agua closing party at Es Paradis (about 15 minute walk from Ibiza Rocks Hotel).
If you didn't make it to Es Paradis last night, you'll want to tonight, Saturday the 22nd, for the closing of Hed Kandi and Es Paradis proper. Dance the night away with Hed Kandi residents Treasure Fingers, Sam Cannon, Ben Santiago, Dean Oram (percussion) and the belle of the ball – Lovely Laura (sax).
The next big domino to fall is Tiesto at Pacha, who is pitted against Armin Van Buuren's A State of Trance at Privilege, with both closings on Monday the 24th. As both are DJs former world number ones, either night is sure to be immense. Tiesto will be supported by R3hab, and Armin by Markus Schulz, Dash Berlin and W&W.
Tuesday the 25th is your final chance to experience Together at Amnesia, with a huge line up including Chase and Status (DJ set), Knife Party, Shy FX, Sub Focus (live), Annie Mac and Eric Prydz. The final Pukka Up Boat Parties set sail earlier that day (San An boat 6-9pm and PDB boat 2-5pm) with both boats including free entry into Amnesia for the aforemention Together shindig. Also on this on this night, Pacha will be hosting the DJ Awards Party which is the Renaissance closing party at the same time with Solomun, Hercules and Love Affair (live), Huxley and Jonathan Cowan.
Subliminal's final hurrah is the following night at Pacha on Wednesday the 26th; Erick Morillo will be supported by Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano and Diplo. Pacha also says farewell to David Guetta and the powerhouse brand that is F*** Me I'm Famous on Thursday the 27th, but Guetta has some stiff competition, with Luciano capping off his hugely successful time at Ushuaïa, and Hot Creations hosting one last Paradise at DC-10 also on this night.
On Friday the 28th Amnesia will bid a mad farewell to Music On, whilst Pete Tong takes his leave of Pacha, enlisting the help of Maya Jane Coles and Eats Everything. Saturday the 29th marks the end of Carnival at Sankeys, Café Olé at Space and Defected at Pacha, followed by We Love on Sunday the 30th, where Space will host - ready for this – Modeselektor (live), Shackleton (live), Simian Mobile Disco (DJ set), James Zabiela, Groove Armada (DJ set), Hot Chip (DJ set), Jaymo and Andy George and more.
And now we're really getting to the end of days, as October filters out the last of the parties, and sees the very final closings of all major clubs on the island.
Monday 1st October:
There is only one place you need to be tonight and that's Cocoon Closing at Amnesia. The usual Cocoon suspects will school you in the ways of techno for one last time this year – lectures in the terrace taken by Ricardo Villalobos, Loco Dice, Raresh and Onur Ozer, whilst Paul Ritch (live), Cassy and, of course, Sven Väth himself educate those in the Main Room. Väth has been running Cocoon Ibiza since 1991 and after 21 years of top quality techno, Cocoon has become one of the best and most legendary nights of its kind. This night will set you back around 60€, but you will get your money's worth; prepare to dance well beyond dawn.
Tuesday 2nd October:
The best parties never seem to end, and cocoon is no exception. We can't give you any details about the official Cocoon after-party yet, except to say that it will definitely be happening and definitely be awesome; DJs that have played earlier in the night have the opportunity to spin different sorts of tracks and tend to really let their hair down at these after-parties, and the Cocoon afters are particularly legendary. You should be able to find out the location on Monday night by asking around at Cocoon, checking their Facebook, or keeping an eye on our forums.
If you've any energy left at all (well done) you should drag yourself to the final Fuse at Sankeys later this night. Beginning at 11:30pm, Fuse will feature tINI, Enzo Siragusa and more TBC and cost you a very affordable €20.
Wednesday 3rd October:
We'll all need a wash by this point, so you might like to take the opportunity and soap-up at the last Espuma Foam Party at Amnesia, also doubling as La Troya closing in the other room.
Alternatively, you have two other options tonight: First is at the iconic Vista Club in Privilege, for one last Next Wave party featuring Ricardo Villalobos, Rhadoo, Pedro, Raresh, Valentino Kanzyani, Dan Andrei and Ian F. Doors are at 23:00, with a €30 set back to your wallet. The second option is at Space, as it's the closing party of BE, which has been hosted by Mark Knight's project Toolroom Knights this season. A tasty blend of genres characterises these parties - you can expect house, tech-house, and even a bit of tech trance to be provided by some of the best in the business. Umek, Mark Knight, Sander Van Doorn, Marco Loco, Oscar Cano and Danny Marquez will all be doing their gosh-darndest to ensure your last mid-week disco of the season is one to remember. Doors open at 22:00 and the night will cost you €35. We suggest bringing a pillow and a toothbrush and sleeping behind the bar, because you'll probably be back at space the very next day...
La Troya/Espuma Foam Party Closing
Thursday 4th October:
Ok, so we can't actually condone kipping over at Space (but let us know if you somehow pull it off!), so you'll probably find yourself making the cross-island schlep (if your coming from San An) or brief walk (if you're in PDB) back to Space again tonight for the Kehakuma closing party. ENTER. will have already parted ways with Space Thursdays by this point, but Kehakuma has still called in the big guns to finish the Thursday in solid tech-house style. Party down with Nick Curly, Edu Imbernon, Remo, M2M (Flying Kitchen), Mike Menudo, Paul Reynolds and more to be confirmed. Like the night before, this party has a 10pm kick off and will only set you back €35.
Friday 5th October:
The last party to sign off at Privilege is SupermartXé, so its closing is doubling as the final festivity for all of Privilege. When the largest club in the world closes its doors for the year - you know about it. No one puts on a show like Privilege and this one will be the most extravagant of the season. Expect fire, water, lasers, glitter, acrobatics and many, many dancers a patch of leather and a spike away from full-frontal nudity. On the music front, AB Garcia, Di Martino, Salva Di Nobles, Hugo Sanchez, Vitti and Javi Reina will be playing main room for SupermartXé, whilst Vista club hosts Solomun, John Digweed, M.A.N.D.Y., 2000 and one, Javi Muñoz, Oriol Calvo and Manu Gonzalez. Proceedings begin at midnight and will probably continue until about midday, with the glass-walled Vista Club an excellent spot to party in during and after sunrise. Tickets cost 50€. Make sure you get the taxi driver to drop you right outside the club; it's a long, dark walk uphill from the entrance gates at the main road!
A very different alternative awaits you at Pacha, with the Flower Power Closing Party (I promise this one is really it!). Don your flares and flowers and head down for some free love from 23:59. It's an experience, to say the least!
Saturday 6th October:
You'll need to mobilise a bit earlier than usual today, with two fine options for afternoon-into-evening celebrations available to you. Ushuaïa Closing Party begins at midday, and it's worth getting there early afternoon to enjoy the relaxed and luxurious atmosphere around the pool before the place fills up and shifts into rave mode (but be prepared for steep drink prices!). Alternatively, go for the later part of the night, because this is your only opportunity of the season to party at Ushuaïa past midnight (last year's closing went on past 4am)! Line up for this evening includes Luciano, Reboot, Mirko Loko, Frivolous (Live), Uner, Julien Bracht (Live), DJ Onno, Raul Rodriguez, Juanma Fuentes and Kike Radikal. Zoo Project Closing Party is a very popular alternative for the younger clubbers, which begins at 4pm. It's an opportunity to don your animal print leggings, cover your skin in paint and party the day away in an old zoo on the outskirts of San Antonio for the manageable price of €35-40. Music at the final Zoo will be provided by Terry Francis, Evan Baggs, YaYa, Federico Grazzini, Nic & Kaleb and Gow.
Your next stop might be down the road at Sankeys, who will be throwing one last Carnival on this night, from 23:30. Line up is still under wraps for this one, so stay tuned.
That's nowhere near the end of your Saturday, however, for this night is also the date of the infamous Amnesia closing party. Wear your most comfortable shoes and be prepared to dance for a very long time with a lot of like-minded people. No really - we mean a lot - Amnesia gets incredibly packed out for this one, and tends to stay that way for most of the event. Doors open at 11pm for the Matinee section of this closing marathon, featuring Matinee all stars Taito Tikaro, André Vicenzzo, J.Louis, Lydia Sanz, Paco Maroto and Javi Always. The 'real' Amnesia closing begins around 6am and continues well into the afternoon, so if this is the bit you're interested in (and we recommend it!), you're best off setting the alarm early, knocking back some breakfast and heading to Amnesia early on the 7th for a solid day rave. Line up currently includes Chuckie, Stefano Noferini, Gregori Klosman, Les Schmitz and Caal Smile, plus a star-studded post 6am Terrace lineup, with (in running order): Danny Tenaglia, Mar-T, Maetrik, Steve Lawler and Marco Carola. Huge.
Sunday 7th October:
Probably around the time Amnesia closes its doors for the season, Space (opposite Playa d'en Bossa beach) will open for its own massive send off to the summer, at the earlier time of 4:30pm. The advantage to being down at Space early is taking in the outdoor car park Flight Area that is only around for the opening and closing fiestas. A massive outdoor main stage, the Flight area will play host to many of the big names on the lineup, and if you get there from the start it's a nice way to ease yourself into the night. If you mean to stick it till the end, however, you might like to head down later - Space closing often rages until midday the next day. Line up includes (ready? take a deep breath...)
Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Nic Fanciulli, Joris Voorn, Magda, Guy Gerber (Live), Paco Osuna, Radio Slave, Nina Kraviz, Gaiser (Live), Nick Curly, Jon Rundell, Carlo Lio, Matador (Live), Ambivalent, Edu Imbernon, Saytek (Live), Wally Lopez, Danny Avila, Juanjo Martin, Albert Neve, Sebastie Drums, Danny Leblack, Rafha Madrid, Ramon Castells, Dj Mykris, Riotgear, Oscar Cano, Marco Loco, Mr Doris, Daisy Heartbreaker, Allan Ramirez, Paul Reynolds, Rad Damon, Camilo Franco, Remo and Danny Marquez
The huge additional outdoor stage and earlier start time to accommodate so many acts makes the Space closing have a distinctly festival feel about it – it truly is not one to be missed. Entry is €60.
Down the road in Ibiza Town, Pacha is providing you with a more classic club option, with the Cadenza closing party. Although Pacha remains open in a weekend capacity all year round, this party will be its unofficial end to the summer season. Line up includes the pink-haired, top hatted Luciano, plus Michael Cleis, Andrea Oliva b2b wtih Lee van Dowski, Robert Diez, Digitaline (live) and Reboot. This one will set you back €48 and is sure to be one of Pacha's wildest!
Monday 8th October:
So you made it through that monster of a closings weekend… Congratulations! You've earned a much-deserved break. But slap on the sweatbands and crack open a cider, you'll have to take your break later because it's time to farewell Circoloco and DC-10. It's a very early start for this one, with doors opening at midday. DC-10 is about a 5 minute drive from PDB, so if you've stuck it to the bitter end of Space and you live in San An, it might not be worth going back in between! Circoloco is the ultimate underground party; with very little production the focus is purely on the music and the people around you. There will be many of these! DC-10 is almost unbearably busy between about midnight and 4am so it's good idea to mobilise early; much of the space is also open air so it's a nice atmosphere before sundown (garden area is transformed into a dancefloor and open until 12-2am-ish). Alternatively you can arrive late for the final crazy hours after 4am (both Terrace and main room will go until about 7am this time). DC-10 are keeping the line up underwraps, as per.
Tuesday 9th October:
If you have the bottle, DC-10 after party will almost certainly be carrying on this morning, at Sands bar in Playa D'en Bossa. Ask around at the official closing, or keep an eye on DC-10 website and our forums for details on the day.
Alternatively, take the day to recuperate before the final major club closes, after which point the season is truly over. This year the summer is capitulated by relative newcomer Sankeys. After a troubled first season in 2011, 2012 has seen Sankeys Ibiza completely take off, so the closing party is sure to be full of really positive vibes, and of course excellent underground music. So much excellent music, in fact, that they've spread their farewell across two nights (is this the Never Ending Season?). Regular club hours apply for both nights, with doors at midnight, and entry will cost you a reasonable €35 for each night or €49 for both. Sankeys is in PDB, round the corner from Space, so cabs will cost about €28 from San An and €6 from Ibiza town. If you fancy going for a drink or a bite before Sankeys you're probably better off going to Ibiza Town, as many of the PDB bars and cafés will have already closed for the season. Line up for the first night is incomplete, but already impressive, with Alex Picone, Antonio Piacquadio, Darius Syrossian, Enzo Siragusa, Guti (live), Matt Tolfrey, Luis Groove, Shlomi Aber and Tiefschwarz.
Wednesday 10th October:
Tonight is part two of the Sankeys double-header, as mentioned above. Line up for the very last major club night of the season will include Bones, Ellesse, Cajmere, Nick Monaco, No Regular Play (live), Baby Prince of Wolf & Lamb, Soul Clap, Miguel Campbell, DJ Sneak, Heidi, H.O.S.H, Solomun and Todd Terry.
And that's all, folks!
Have a couple of days rest, then go home and deal with Post-Ibiza Blues however you may.
