IBIZA EXPAT

Ibizas local council, the Consell Insular dEvissa, this week confirmed theyll be enforcing a club curfew between 6am and 10am for the coming season, with Space, DC10 and Bora Bora all being forced to close during those hours. Britains Independent said afternoon clubbing could also be banned around Ibiza Town (til 6pm), though Space owner Pepe Rosello said theyll be switching morning sessions to afternoons.

Some people are not too concerned about the new legislation but...

Judgement Sunday promoter Judge Jules was more ambivalent telling Skrufff; I dont think that 6am til 12 midday is the key clubbing hour of Ibiza, so as such its not a disaster for the island, but at the same time the Ibicencan Government need to get their heads out of the sand. They naively hark on about attracting more family style tourists, when Ibizas family facilities and attractions are dreadful and an embarrassment compared to competing resorts, he pointed out. Ibizas cosmopolitan image gives it the edge and makes it unique. Its good to clamp down on drunk and drugged drivers, which the authorities have rightfully been doing, but to put the squeeze on clubland is short sighted in the extreme, said Jules.

He has a point. After all, Ibiza has a reputation for being the clubbing capital of the world. If you take the clubbing out of it, albeit partially, what does Ibiza have a reputation for? There are far more beautiful places for people to go to and far cheaper ones too. I wonder if Ibiza is a strong enough entity to survive as a family resort. I'm sure the morning curfew will not be the last of it. It comes bit by bit. I hope those in power do not think Ibiza can survive solely on the reputaions of its beaches and its big nighttime clubs.

I think it's potentially dangerous to stop official morning clubbing. People will want to carry on the party whether the clubs are open or not. What are they going to do? They will return to their hotels, apartments and villas, or head to the hills, and turn up the music. Is it not better to have them in one place with security staff at hand and away from otherwise peaceful neighbourhoods?

If the miracle happened and they all decide to go to bed or go shopping, all the better. However, is that not highly unlikely? I think Ibiza will remain a 24hr party place but only part of it will be official.

If Ibiza wants to shed the 24 hour clubbing title, somewhere else will happily adopt it. Let's hope it's for the better for Ibiza.