Party Destinations
WITH THIS SUMMER’S PARTY SEASON IN FULL SWING, NICK STEVENSON REVEALS THE HOTTEST SPOTS FOR ALL-NIGHT REVELRY IN THE WORLD’S MOST ELECTRIC DESTINATIONS
Ibiza
THE SCENE
Everyone from Prince Harry to Peaches Geldof, Charlotte Church and James Blunt comes here to enjoy the sounds of big-name DJs such as Pete Tong, Erick Morillo and Roger Sanchez. Ibiza Rocks is back this year with a series of gigs – and the launch of an Ibiza Rocks Hotel will also make it just as popular with bands such as The Enemy and Kasabian.
WHAT TO WEAR
Bright, novelty-shape sunglasses (hearts, stars, etc) and creative outfits from American Apparel. Watch out though – sarongs on men are considered beachwear and are not welcome in clubs.
WHERE TO START THE NIGHT
Although many prefer quieter beaches to catch the famous Ibizan sunset, Café Mambo (40 Vara del Rey, San Antonio, +34 971 346 638, cafemamboibiza.com) is a more exciting place to start your night. On Fridays, Pete Tong broadcasts his Radio 1 show back to the UK from here. Post-sunset, Café Mambo is where the big-name DJs play for free before hitting the clubs.
WHERE’S THE PARTY?
Changes in the island’s entertainment laws (clubbing between 6am and 4.30pm is now banned) won’t dent what is still Europe’s top party spot after more than 20 years. Indeed, San Antonio is undergoing a transformation, from being a byword for Brits-abroad excess to a chilled resort for the classier clubber. We Love Sundays at Space (Playa D’En Bossa, s/n, Sant Jordi, +34 971 396 793, space-ibiza.es) is one of the coolest places to party on the island – something you can tell by the high number of locals who pay to get in and the quality of DJs who play its opening party each June. This year, it was Sasha, Deep Dish, Steve Lawler and David Guetta.
Shangai
The sultry Glamour Bar is
popular with beautiful Chinese
and ex-pats alike
CORBIS/KARL JOHAENTGES
THE SCENE
The boom in Shanghai’s economy has meant a growth in European and American ex-pats. However, it’s not just off-duty businessmen who party here – China has become hugely popular with young travellers, bored of Goa and Thailand.
WHAT TO WEAR
Although many clubs are in high-end hotels or buildings, the growth of China’s hip-hop scene means clubs are fine with trainers and jeans. Although suits and smart dress are popular, as in London, there is no fixed way to dress on a night out, so just be yourself.
WHERE TO START THE NIGHT
At The Bund, on the Huangpu River, there are top-end bars and clubs such as The Glamour Bar (pictured) that are popular with beautiful Chinese and ex-pats. Bar Rouge (Level 7, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road, +86 21 6339 1199) is an open-plan bar favoured by Europeans, Americans and South Africans. The balcony overlooks the river and Pudong, where skyscrapers look like 50-storey-high TV screens.
WHERE’S THE PARTY?
Attica (11F, 15 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu, +86 21 6373 3588; attica-shanghai.com) is one of Shanghai’s most respected clubs. At one end is a fine-dining restaurant, in the centre is its main room, with VIP sofas on the dancefloor, and outside is a huge balcony with views across the city’s futuristic skyline – this is where Paris Hilton parties when she’s in town.
Berlin
THE SCENE
The home to super cool and fashionable underground parties, Berlin has become the place for up-and-coming musicians and artists to move to on account of its affordable prices and its great underground nightlife.
Take in great views of Berlin
while partying at Weekend,
12 floors
WHAT TO WEAR
With a young and vibrant population, its clubs tend to match with few rules, guidelines or necessary fashion faux pas to consider. Just leave your England football scarf at home, eh?
WHERE TO START THE NIGHT
Berlin has plenty of tucked-away bars, but many of the best are so well hidden not even the locals could point you in the right direction. Instead, start as you mean to go on at Weekend (Haus Des Reisens, Alexanderplatz 5; weekend-berlin.de), a club on the 12th floor of an old office block, with amazing views over the city.
WHERE’S THE PARTY?
Panorama Bar (Bergain, Am Wriezener Banhof Friedrichshain, berghain.de) is Berlin’s infamous after-party club, which kicks off at midnight and plays techno till the following afternoon. One for the brave.
Miami
THE SCENE
Don’t let Will Smith’s zeal put you off – Miami is one of the world’s best party towns. Depending on the time of year, you could be sharing your holiday with crazy-eyed Spring Breakers at bars such as The Clevelander (1020 Ocean Dr, + 1 305 531-3485, clevelander.com), A-list DJs or off-duty music and movie stars, such as Kimberly Stewart and Lindsay Lohan.
Watch the action poolside at South Beach favourite The Clevelander DIGITALRAILROAD/BILL WISSER
WHAT TO WEAR
Dress-code policies are strict, so have your Manolos, statement dresses and clutches at the ready – and men, no denim, no trainers, unless you’re Kanye West.
WHERE TO START THE NIGHT
If you want to accidentally bump into the biggest DJs in town, they all hang out at The Delano (1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; +1 305 672 2000, delano-hotel.com). It’s also where Scarlett Johansson was spotted with Justin Timberlake last year.
WHERE’S THE PARTY?
When Miami resident and party-aholic P Diddy wanted to put on the biggest bash in town, he chose Cameo, (1445 Washington Ave, Miami Beach; +1 305 532 2667, cameomiami.com) the home of some of Miami’s most decadent and boundary-pushing club nights.
Barcelona
There is something for everyone in Barcelona’s vibrant, mixed club scene EVERYNIGHT IMAGES
THE SCENE
Thanks to the beach, the art and the relaxed way of life, Barcelona is home to artists from across Europe – and to one half of Groove Armada, Andy Cato.
WHAT TO WEAR
Barcelona has a vibrant mix of clubs and genres, so there truly is something for every wardrobe; lord it up at a swanky house night at Catwalk (Ramon Trias Fargas 2-4, +34 9322 40740, clubcatwalk.net) or get down in the more streetwise Razzmatazz (C/Almogavers, 122, +34 9332 08200, salarazzmatazz.com)
WHERE TO START THE NIGHT
The Loft (122 Almosgavers-88 Pamplona, salarazzmatazz.com) is a warehouse-style venue on the top floor of the club complex that houses Razzmatazz (Barca’s answer to Fabric). The Loft is a lot less hectic and a good spot to sink your first Cava of the evening.
WHERE’S THE PARTY?
La Terrraza (Poble Espanyol de Montjuïc, +34 93 272 4980, laterrrazza.com) is an open-air club set within a quaint, wall-enclosed old village. Dance till the sun comes up with a mix of locals and clued-up clubbers.
Cape town
Cape Town is a popular place
to enjoy a few ‘sundowners’
and a dance
THE SCENE
This is a popular final destination for backpackers who have worked their way around southern Africa – that means the clubs are filled with upfor-it young Brits, Americans and Swedes. With world-class vineyards surrounding the city, you’re never far from a glass of something to get you in the mood.
WHAT TO WEAR
While there is an ‘anything goes’ policy at a lot of the smaller clubs aimed at travellers, the larger clubs expect shoes and collars on male clubbers, so invest in some loafers if you want to pass the red rope.
WHERE TO START THE NIGHT
Make a beeline for bustling Long Street. Fiction (226 Long Street, +27 21 424 5709, fictionbar.com) puts on electro and drum ‘n’ bass nights throughout the week. Enjoy a beer from the balcony overlooking the street below or get on the bustling dancefloor inside.
WHERE’S THE PARTY?
One of the highlights in the party calendar is Sundays at La Med (Victoria Road, Clifton, +27 21 438 5600, lamed.co.za). This shore-front bar fills up with people, grabbing a few ‘sun-downers’ with views of the sea and Table Mountain.
Party spots on the up
01 ZAGREB, CROATIA
Zagreb is at the centre of Eastern Europe’s cultural revolution and there is a scene of clubs, local DJs and coffee houses to rival Brighton. Techno took off here in the 90s, but house has become more popular in the superclubs, such as The Best (Jarunska 5, +385 1 3011 943, thebest. hr) and Boogaloo Club (Ul. grada Vukovara 68, +385 1 6313 022, boogaloo.hr), with guest DJs such as David Morales and Silicone Soul.
02 TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
The vibe is chilled and locals are always up for a good night out. Check out late-licence bars and clubs such as Haoman 17 (17 Haoman Street) that stay open until 7am. It’s guests have included Paul Oakenfold and Paul Van Dyk.
03 SOFIA, BULGARIA
With a young population, Bulgaria has shed its Communist past and now has a thriving house and drum ‘n’ bass scene. Parties are known to roll into the afternoon.
04 BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
DJs such as Danny Howells, Steve Lawler and John Digweed have all recently played, and praised, the arty capital. Many of the clubs are in very undressed old buildings, making the scene still feel like a well-kept secret.
05 GRAZ, AUSTRIA
Home to one of central Europe’s biggest music festivals (Spring Festival) earlier this year, Graz even has a club inside a mountain (Dom im Berg, Gleisdorfer Gasse 10a, +43 316 8008 8806, domimberg.at).
Nick Stevenson is news editor of Mixmag
ALAMY/JURGEN STUMPE, ALAMY
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