Ibiza is full of exotic locations to drink, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings before heading off to the clubs for a night full of excitement and wonder. But which places do you go to? With so many options to choose from, picking just one is a tricky decision.
Not to worry, Ibiza Spotlight has done the hard work for you and has chosen the top pre-party destinations on the island. From beautiful bars to sublime sunset spots and more, we know the best launch pads to prepare you for a big party night.
Our recommendations are a must for any clubber's Ibiza bucket list whilst on the White Isle.
San Antonio sunset hotspots
Ibiza is renowned for its glorious sunsets across the island, but there are a few places that are extra special to visit for sundown in summer.
Most prominent is the vibrant buzz found nightly at Café Mambo, which hosts nightly pre-parties with top DJs before they hit the clubs later that evening.
This is one of the best ways to start your night, by seeing your favourite DJ drop an exclusive set - for free. Café Mambo plays host to seven official pre-parties throughout the week.
The 2024 schedule sees Amnesia Presents on Mondays, The Masquerade by Claptone on Tuesdays, FISHER on Wednesdays, Pure Pacha on Thursdays, Our House on Fridays, Flower Power on Saturdays and Glitterbox on Sundays.
Already this summer, you could have caught the likes of Danny Howard (pictured above), Patrick Topping, Meduza and Melanie C from The Spice Girls (!) playing just after sunset.
Just around the corner is another of the island's most famous establishments.
Café del Mar has been serving sun-seeking holidaymakers for over 40 years. The combination of cool cocktails and chill-out music placed on the backdrop of the Balearic sea makes it a delightful place to begin your evening. Please visit our Sunset Strip page, for a full list of venues.
Further north at Cap Negret, one of the prettiest spots to enjoy an Ibiza sunset is Hostal La Torre. With a great restaurant terrace, you can enjoy a glass of wine whilst enjoying views of the coastline and island bathed in the sunset light.
There are always great DJs soundtracking each night. Andy Baxter, Pete Gooding, Be.lanuit and Phat Phil Cooper are amongst the names who frequently play. Hostal La Torre offers a stylish environment for those who seek solace from busier, louder locations.
Closer to the centre of town but still on the promenade, sits Itaca. It's a prime spot to watch the sun go down, but with a late licence until 05:00, it stays lively inside almost as late as nearby clubs Eden and Es Paradis. Pre-party or main party - you decide.
Probably not widely considered a sunset spot (but yet still located on the San Antonio promenade), is Linekers Ibiza.
Once found in pretty much every Mediterranean resort and throughout The Canary Islands, Linekers is a firm favourite amongst English holidaymakers thanks to its association with the national team's third all-time goalscoring record holder, Gary Lineker - or, at least, his businessman brother, Wayne.
Here is the place to watch your favourite sporting events, whether that be Formula 1 or heavyweight boxing. Of course, Linekers really comes alive when the England football team are playing in the World Cup or Euros. Even outside of these occasions, Linekers is still a top pre-party spot.
Over on the San Antonio Bay, is another popular place with both island-dwellers and holidaymakers.
Kumharas is a place that is all about hippy vibes. You can enjoy live music such as the flamenco guitar flavours of Paco Fernandez, while you can often find DJs from Ibiza Global Radio spinning, such as Igor Marijuan and Cris44.
Just about anything can happen at this wonderful seaside place. Around the venue there are also merchant stalls selling trinkets and street food, perfect if you are in need of buying that last-minute item to complete your outfit for the evening.
Bars with late night vibes
If you're on the other side of the island, Playa d'en Bossa offers a great selection of places to enjoy a drink or maybe even continue your night.
Baloo Ibiza is one such destination, suited either as a precursor to your night out or as the final destination. You can enjoy delicious cocktails and finger-style snack food on its terrace to help get you in the party frame of mind.
Then, if the mood takes you, continue to its on-site club Magic Room from 23:00 onwards.
During the week, it throws parties catering to a wide range of tastes, including Latin and Pop, but fans of House music should pay particular attention to Magic Thursdays, Saturday's Sunnum and Sunday's Origen.
Tickets are very reasonably priced, as well as including your first drink on arrival.
Before you head over to Hï Ibiza or Ushuaïa, just around the corner (100 metres to be precise) is Tantra Ibiza, a bar that plays host to several official pre-parties of its own.
Recently refurbished, Tantra Ibiza has a swanky new look and now benefits from a plush refit and improved soundproofing. With big-name DJs occasionally passing through the doors, it's definitely worth checking out while you're on the island.
On the opposite side of the road, Dunes Ibiza is another bar that has a tendency to go late into the night - and even has its own upstairs club. Dunes is a great meeting point, making it the ideal place to order cocktails and lay foundations for the night ahead.
Back on the west side of the island, San Antonio Bay has its own options if you want to stop off on your way to a club or perhaps fancy a night on the dancefloor away from one of the super-clubs.
Plastik has a long history on the island. Co-founded by the late author, ex-holiday rep and Ibiza personality Colin Butts, Plastik has moved around the island, having previously used two earlier locations - most famously by The Egg roundabout.
Since 2021, it relocated to the bottom bay road and now caters to holidaymakers and locals based in the area. Favoured by workers and residents alike, Plastik is a great alternative if you want a cheaper night out.
Off the beaten track
While Ibiza's nightlife is mainly nucleated in the south of the island, the north doesn't go without either.
In the old hippy commune of San Carlos, Las Dalias remains the place to experience music. It holds the prestigious title of being Ibiza's original live music hub, having opened in 1954. Little has changed in the time since.
Now, it is serviced by its own boutique nightclub, Akasha, but still regularly holds open-air concerts and electronic music parties in its garden.
These often have free admission and run parallel to the famous night market - we point you towards Sunday's Nido as the best example. Other options include Wednesday's Namaste, which does have a small entrance fee. Children are welcomed when accompanied by adults to both.
For anybody who prefers live instruments and vocalists to an electronic 4/4 beat, Las Dalias' Back To Live series is worth checking out.
WORDS | by Michael Tomlinson and Stephen Hunt
