Nights out

Although Ibiza’s extravagant party scene gets put on hold during the winter, it is surprising how much fun you can have out of season. When I first arrived, I had the impression that once the summer was over things shut up completely and very little happened on the deserted island. On the contrary, a considerable amount of people stay during the winter months and there is far more activity at night than you would expect. The town has many bars that are always full on the weekends and a few clubs which the locals enjoy all year round. For example Pacha, one of the most famous clubs in the world, stays open and becomes an average Saturday night for people who live here. The club is still pretty swanky but it loses its exclusiveness, as residents get in for free, and has a relaxed, down to earth vibe. The town councils also regularly organise special nights, such as a San Antonio’s ‘flower power’ party which was extremely popular. (A huge tent was put up, jam packed with people of all ages in outrageous hippie fancy dress.) Despite what you may think people love to go out in Ibiza all year round.

Such a lively winter has been a pleasant surprise. However, I have found that nights out here, and in Spain in general, are considerably different to what I’m used to. Firstly, there’s the preparation. I am basing this on the experience I’ve had with my flatmates so this may not be common practice but they love getting ready. A huge amount of effort is put into dressing up; it’s another world to Exeter where shorts and vans are considered suitable attire. The girls spend hours in front of the mirror, perfecting their makeup and carefully selecting their outfit; it’s part of enjoying the night. I’ve never been that big on dolling up and normally feel horrendously underdressed compared them. However, I can’t say that’s what everyone’s like here, from what I’ve seen style varies a lot.

The most striking thing about nightlife here is the timing. An average night consists of congregating for dinner first, which finishes no earlier than 11pm. You don’t get out on the street until gone midnight which is seen an appropriate time for a sit down drink in a café or bar. (People here love sitting outdoors, as many smoke, and the towns square Plaza del Parque is always buzzing with life.) This leisurely drinking lasts until about two or three when the night moves on to another bar and then finally to a club. Pacha or La Kokotcha don’t get busy until four and it’s normal to get home later than 6am! I must admit I struggle with these late finishes as they totally right off the following day. Although I have a great time, I sometimes question whether getting to bed at dawn is really worth it if you are lifeless the whole of Sunday.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the way the Spanish drink. Although I am always mortified to be associated with the drunken English tourists that come here, I can’t deny that I share the British culture of ‘drinking to get drunk.’ A night is not a success unless you are merry. A group of English girls would never arrange to eat a big meal before a heading out, a full tummy defies the point of drinking afterwards. Here however, drinking does not have to end in drunkenness. People, especially girls, drink moderately, enjoying their glass rather than downing it as fast as possible to move on to the next one. It’s done in a far more sophisticated way and you have a lot of fun without getting embarrassing. Watching how people enjoy themselves here makes me rather ashamed of the drinking culture I’m used to.

One last thing I’ve found is the difference in music. I thought that there was a generic style of English/American club music that was played pretty much everywhere. This is more prominent in the summer but local places out of season play a surprising amount of Spanish music. And good stuff at that. There is clearly a rich music culture here which people here take pride in. Latin style songs mean a different kind of dancing too, you have to move your hips a lot more! This means I spend most of the night pretending I know how to dance when really I’m an embarrassment compared to the Spanish and their moves……once a guiri* always a guiri.

(*guiri: Foreign tourist, normally English)