BARS

Ibiza’s bustling Marina district is home to a host of couture cocktail bars catering to the burgeoning luxury yacht set, fashionistas, the visiting A-list and lovers of fine food and drink alike. The king of the aprés-boating cocktail scene is Blue Marlin Ibiza Marina – the original Blue Marlin’s cosmopolitan little sister.

This seafront bar has all the same good vibes as the original Cala Jondal hotspot but with a prime city location. Even if you haven’t just disembarked, it’s the place to be when all of the boats come in, perch near the bar and chat to captains and luxury yacht owners alike about their laidback day at Formentera and their plans for the evening.

For those who prefer to hit the town, arrive after 9pm and watch the area come alive – order a jug of cava sangria, the house specialty, and ease into the night ahead. The best news is that Blue Marlin Ibiza Marina is within short walking distance of HEART Ibiza and Pacha Ibiza, meaning you can still sport those sky-high heels for a night of bar-hopping, Ibiza style.

Iconic Ibiza open air lounge-bar KM5 is a classic part of the island’s nightlife scene. Located in a beautiful 400-year old finca in the San Jose hills, it is famous for its legendary parties, which take place under the stars each sultry summer night.

With beautifully-lit lounge areas, stylish haimas (bedouin tents), an interior nightclub and a relaxed, cosmopolitan vibe, it is a favourite with a glamorous, cultured crowd who start with dinner in the amazing fine dining restaurant and über trendy sushi lounge – and then party until late.

At cocktail hour, Km5 Ibiza comes into its own. As well as offering all the usual classics, Km5’s talented mixologists have curated a special signature cocktail list including delicious treats such as the Apple Km5 with Bison Grass Vodka and fresh apple juice, the Friend Km5 with Mosko Vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice … or, for those who want to party all night, the Red Bull Km5 with Mosko Vodka, fresh strawberries, coconut syrup and of course the eponymous energy drink.

The Gran is Ibiza’s oldest hotel, and after a recent renovation – in which both interiors and exterior were restored to former glories by famed Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán – the sophisticated establishment has been put resolutely back on the map.

Set on Ibiza town’s most famous square, Vara de Rey, the façade is an ode to 1930s elegance. Inside is the hotel’s stunning Art Deco-inspired bar, stylishly adorned with monochrome tiled floors, sleek bronze features and plush velvet sofas. The bar menu is a nod to all things prohibition – so, as you can imagine, cocktails are taken extremely seriously.

Test the bar staff’s prowess by sampling a classic Tom Collins, or throw them more of a taste-inspired challenge – their skills never fail to impress, which explains why this is a favourite hangout for locals who come to expel excess energy at the end of a long, hot day

Right in the heart of Dalt Vlia, S’Escalinata isn’t the easiest bar to pronounce for most of us but it has a great reputation as a good bar to visit. If you do not want to pay the prices that you get hit with at the more high-end bars, S’Escalinata’s prices are reasonable without compromising on experience.

The name translates as ‘the staircase’ and you will see why when you get there. Much of the bar and restaurant spills up a set of large cobbled steps, providing a rather unique setting to enjoy drinks and relax on huge bean bags. The food is also a huge attraction of the establishment, offering healthy breakfasts, delicious tapas dishes, and light snacks throughout the day. They have a great selection of veggie options and the homemade focaccia is the perfect gap-filler.

You can enjoy a cold beer in the bar or try some (or all!) of the amazing cocktails. They also do a mean coffee – Italian style! You might even be lucky enough to experience a live musical performance from local musicians. If you fancy a bar that is more quirky than pretentious, then this could be right up your street (or staircase!).

This bar is situated on the ninth floor of the Hard Rock Hotel in Playa d’en Bossa and offers an extensive wine list, which includes vintage champagne. The high-altitude location enables stunning panoramic views right across the bays of Playa d’en Bossa and Ses Salines National Park. This sky lounge is the perfect setting at any time of the day and the planes flying in and out of the airport give an almost surreal feel to the location.

Ibiza is a nocturnal island. It comes alive with the onset of darkness. After all, that’s when the fun starts! Laylah Ibiza places itself at the heart of this hedonistic culture: it’s been expressly designed for people who like a good time, and it gets the night going way before the first club opens.

Laylah Ibiza is the place that all hedonists should head to if they want to find like-minded souls with whom to spend the rest of the night. Very close to Pacha, HEART Ibiza and Lío, it’s the ideal base for those seeking Ibizan delights – and it serves wonderful Middle Eastern food, too, offering the perfect pre-party menu.

The natural décor – wood surfaces, copper tables, dipped lighting and plenty of flora and fauna – Layla offers the perfect ambience in which to craft your own night of delights. There are no set places or tables – at Layla, people mingle, ready for the party ahead.

Of course, DJs are crucial to the bar’s atmosphere – and the list of performers Layla boasts is like a who’s-who of the world’s best. That global outlook feeds through to the music, which traverses the globe to get crowds going – and pay tribute to their own nomadism.

It goes without saying that the drinks are first-class: the finest ingredients and best spirits go into each of Layla’s signature cocktails. In fact, the drinks menu is of course the centrepiece of this extraordinary bar: ‘Layla’ in Hebrew means ‘angel of the night’, and this place is here to save yours and make it heavenly.

Like everywhere else on earth, Ibiza changes over time. Paradise Lost is a conscious throwback to a time when the island’s port played host to a range of characterful watering holes.

The brainchild of adopted islander James Harvey, Paradise Lost specialises in fine rums and cocktails. Taking its name from Milton’s epic poem of the fall of man (which may be a hint as to what you can expect from a night here!), Paradise Lost offers its guests the chance to settle in and sample great spirits in convivial company. 

Snug and secluded on the narrow street of Carrer del Pasadis in Ibiza town, this is a bar that has the feel of old Ibiza – and its décor matches that impression. Chesterfield sofas and a somewhat kitsch taste offer a quirky counterpoint to the spot-on cocktails and neon graffiti. Paradise Lost is like nowhere else on the island – but it aims to let visitors enjoy some of the charms of the sort of drinking den that was once everywhere here.

Pershing is a name to conjure with in the world of yachting. Based at 7Pines Kempinski, the Pershing Yacht Terrace was designed in co-operation with those purveyors of luxury craft. That means guests expect Italian style, international glamour and attention to detail – and that’s what they get here, in one of Ibiza’s most elegant night-spots.

With glorious views across the Seven Pines Resort, this top-class bar on Ibiza’s west coast is known for its bespoke cocktails and peerless wine list. Cigars to please even the most knowledgeable aficionado are also present and correct, and a select tapas menu is available to complement your selection; ideal for sharing with friends.

Adopting the lines of the famous Pershing 9X Yacht, this bar emphasises an exclusive, serene atmosphere. Guests can enjoy live music in the summer months, sensational sunsets all year round, and fantastic night-time views of a star-studded sky.