Event: Spain

Ibiza - A clubber's guide

When:	1 May - 31 Oct 2008 (annual)
Where:	Ibiza

Every summer, Ibiza's nightclubs party so hard that the surrounding Balearic Sea virtually quivers in rhythm to the pounding beats. Hugely popular with dance DJs, club promoters and, more recently, indie acts, the island is far from tiring.

Whichever way you choose to look at it, Ibiza is still the number one destination for young clubbers. Timetables take shape for the new season early in the year, with big hitters establishing themselves at the island's seven mega clubs: Pacha, Amnesia, Privilege, Space, Es Paradis, El Divino and Eden.

New this season

Radio 1's Pete Tong uproots from a five-year long stint at Pacha to host Wonderland at Eden, a Friday-night set with Groove Armada playing in the Back Room. Indie kids should check out the Ibiza Rocks 2008 programme, which promises to be bigger than ever, partly due to the grand opening of the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in May. This new accommodation complex, with its five bars and "no kids" policy, hosts the Ibiza Rocks opening night, including performances from UK band The Enemy and a happening after-party.

A brief history

Back in 1973, a club called Pacha opened on one of the larger Balearic Islands. A hippy commune with a party scene began to develop on the island and it wasn't long before news began to travel. In 1987, at the early stages of the house sensation, five British DJs took a trip to the island to see what the fuss was about. They discovered a distinctive new sound that was unique to this sunny isle and which went on to influence dance music as we know it today. The sound was eclectic, a mixed bag of mellow sounds with an infectious beat and a vibe that made you smile.

Some tips and tricks

Something to bear in mind if you choose to fly to the Balearics: there is more than first meets the eye (or ear) to the island. San Antonio (on the west coast of the island) was made infamous by Channel 4's 1998 documentary Ibiza Uncovered. This is not a place to sample traditional cuisine or immerse yourself in the local culture, but despite the bad press it is no different from any other popular resort on the Med. Elsewhere on the island you will find stunning beaches, beautiful mountains and an eclectic mix of sun and fun seekers with more on their minds than the latest trance track.

Let's be honest though, most people come to the island to check out the clubs and if you have never been before you will be blown away by their sheer size. You are also likely to be blown away by the prices. It's not uncommon to be charged over £30 just to get into a club; add to this somewhere in the region of £10 per drink and your wallet's already feeling thin. Enjoy the clubs but keep your ear to the ground for details of one-off parties in the mountains and more remote parts of the island.

Need to know

The legal age limit to buy both alcohol and tobacco is 16 and officially you must be 18 to gain access to the clubs. Other rules introduced to curb loutish behaviour include it being illegal to drink alcohol while walking on the streets. The police are also very keen on stopping drink-driving and the penalties are high. Most importantly, for your safety and well being, it is illegal to possess or consume drugs of any sort, so use your common sense. Random drug controls and searches are on the increase in the larger towns and resorts.