San Antonio and San Antonio Bay play host to a wide selection of popping pool parties and day clubs. You can properly rave – and pay a ticket price for it – or take a more chilled approach and potentially, hopefully, last until nightfall. Below are some of my tried and tested, and most favourite hotspots to enjoy in my Ibiza hometown.
Unless you’ve had your head in the sand, O Beach Ibiza is likely to have popped up all over your timeline. Everyday a new party on the scene, with massive lineups that take every afternoon into the evening with a bang. Dancers, acrobats and live musicians all take the stage – which is essentially the whole venue – to accompany the live DJ sets. My favourite party was House in Paradise, the buzz was just that little bit more banging at these weekly parties, that are now every Wednesday in 2023.
Some people like to give O Beach Ibiza a bad rap as they sit upon their ‘It’s not how Ibiza was back in my day’ horse, but the crowds and sold out beds tell a very different story. Admittedly, I can feel a little tired of the arse cheek army parade tumbling down the paseo, but mostly that’s because I’m 40+ and far past the point of joining in.
Full the full experience where you can take breaks in between your dancefloor shenanigans, book a bed or a table. They may seem like an outlay at first but if there’s a group will often work out in your favour.
Back in the day I was once the Ibiza Rocks guestlist girl and saw every single act from 2011 to 2014. Those really were some great shows but as pool parties now reign supreme, Ibiza Rocks have really created an offering that draws big crowds throughout the week.
2023 brings a new look with two stageside pools and floating beds that offer great views of the stage. Although typically a younger crowd, except for when old school veterans Craig David or Fatboy Slim take the helm, it is always a great way to spend your day-night. Beds are pretty reasonable and if there’s a group, are definitely the way to get the most bang for your buck.
Found upon Pinet Playa Beach in Cala de Bou, Reggae Beach Ibiza is a great way to spend your afternoon. This is one of my favourite beaches that welcomes a great range of families and groups of both Spanish and English every day.
You can relax at Reggae Beach and enjoy the cocktails and cool tunes, or hop along to one of the other bars and restaurants to chill at. No Bad Dayz often has banging Techno, so if you park yourself in the middle of the beach you can be raving in one ear and chilling in the other.
Brand new for 2023, The Palm Star Ibiza is set to be another San Antonio Bay hotspot. Newly refurbed by the ex-owners of The Beach Star further down in the bay road, it looks set to take their tried and tested formula to a larger and grander location. If the previous model is anything to go by you can expect cool house tunes from the poolside DJ to accompany a great menu of cocktails and food. My personal favourite was the Pad Thai, which although might seem an odd accompaniment to a roasting hot day at the pool, was bloody delicious. Fingers crossed this makes the move with them.
As mentioned above, The Beach Star was one of the cool hangouts bayside in San Antonio. Its cool but chilled vibe is one I hope the new owners will only improve upon. There was no minimum spend or day pass required which resulted in a less dicky VIP vibe, just people having a great time in the sun, with some great tunes alongside.
Parked next door to O Beach Ibiza, you’ll find the quieter and much, much more chilled little sister, Bam-Bu-Ku. Although offering a welcoming family vibe and maybe more adult approach to partying, this doesn’t mean that the full Ibiza vibe has been squashed completely. There’s still great parties and day events that go on, but I would say to think of this as a more mature way to spend your day. They have specific family days, normally Sunday’s, but kids are welcome anytime which means parents can get stuck into the cocktails and leave kids well catered for.
I have personally never done it, as just the thought of flip-flopping in front of crowds is terrifying for us all, but if you’ve got the guts then the Flowrider wave machine does look like a blast.
