Amnesia

Address: Ibiza, Spain

Capacity: 5000

Web: www.amnesia.es

Clubbing destinations don’t come more fabled than Ibiza, and night-clubs don’t come bigger than Amnesia. It’s one of the island’s great grandparents, being founded on the site of an old rural farm back in the ’70s. The original Amnesia discotheque played everything from rock and pop to funk and soul before the boom of Balearic Beat in the ‘80s. It was then that Amnesia ripped up the manual and started over, tearing off its roof and opening its dancefloor to the elements; the humble beginnings of the now legendary Amnesia Terrace.

More than two decades on, it’s the signature parties at Amnesia that keep it youthful. Longstanding club nights like Cream, that first launched way back in ’94, are the backbone of the Ibiza calendar, plus weekly parties like La Troya and Sven Väth’s Cocoon, the first event to bring techno and minimal to the island. Then there’s more recent additions like Paris Hilton’s Foam and Diamonds party, that saw noses turned up en masse by Ibiza’s old guard when it launched in 2013.

Other more recent favourites include Tuesday club night, Together, first founded only in 2011 as well as Marco Carola’s essential techno party, Music On. Started in 2012 by the Italian national treasure, Carola has helped to revitalise Amnesia for a new and dynamic wave of club kids, a feat for which new acts, Hilton included, should also (begrudgingly) be given some credit.

In 2015, Amnesia will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Hailed as one of the best parties on the planet, the Amnesia opening marks the beginning of the high season in Ibiza, and is seen as a pilgrimage for serious house heads the world over. Thousands come to worship at the feet of the Ibiza club gods, with past opening acts including Davide Squillace, Adam Beyer and French three-piece, Apollonia.

Due to the complaints of local residents, the Amnesia Terrace is no longer outdoors. Sheltered by an enormous and completely transparent glass roof, it hasn’t lost any of the magic of its alfresco origins, with the space still undoubtedly the club’s strongest pull. The best times at Amnesia are had when the sun is up, with most experienced ravers stepping up to the terrace in the early hours. UK selector Cristoph summed it up best to DJ Mag when he picked Amnesia as his favourite club: “The Terrace is a room dreams are made of for clubbers, especially in the morning when the sun rises and beams through the windows.” We agree, ‘nuff said.