Following on from our recent article about Tanit, the goddess of Ibiza and the island’s ancient sunset ritual, today’s piece brings us squarely back to the giddy heights of the 21st century.
Of course many already know the famous Ibiza sunset strip, but for those who are unfamiliar with the territory, here’s a little guide to different bars and restaurants that glitter along this iconic stretch of San Antonio coastline. Each offers a slightly different ambience and speciality, so we hope this low-down helps you to choose your perfect sunset vantage point.
Walking along the promenade that leads from the port of San Antonio and stretches all the way along the strip until it reaches the northern tip of Cala d’es Moro, the first Ibiza sunset venue you’ll pass is Sushi Mambo (previously Kama Sushi).
Cool, elegant and perched on the corner opposite Savannah, Sushi Mambo is the place to go if you love eating light, super-healthy sushi and ceviches washed down with some really excellent Japanese influenced cocktails. This sunset bar is perhaps the quietest of the bunch, attracting a generally laid-back, cosmopolitan visitor who appreciates good service and not-too-hectic surroundings.
Savannah is the next along. I have a soft-spot for Savannah, I’ll be honest. It was the site of my first ever Ibiza sunset experience in 2003 and in those days, there was a large terrace lined with groovy market stalls which gave a real festival atmosphere at night. A few years later, the terrace and the market stalls disappeared after issues with licenses and for many, it was a sad year as Savannah seemed to lose quite a bit of its identity. Since then, Savannah has valiantly picked itself up, dusted itself down and emerged happily as a slightly more mature alternative to Café Mambo.
You can catch some excellent world-class DJs playing warm-up sets on the terrace, the cocktails are exceptionally good, there is a small and rocking ‘Backroom’ club with free entrance and the kitchen stays open till 2.30am. Perfect for late night munchies and a great alternative to the more raucous west-end clubs. I have personally had some fabulous nights out in the Backroom, it's got a great, intimate atmosphere, drinks are reasonably priced and some of islands best DJs often grace the decks (and ram the dancefloor) there.
Next door to Savannah is the original sunset bar, that classic Ibiza chill-out, Café del Mar. Opening its illustrious doors way back in 1980, it was designed by the late, great Catalan architect, Lluis Güell and remains sunset strip’s most iconic building. The interior is arranged in tiers, rather like an oversized wedding cake, complete with fancy icing. Resplendent in white and blue which seems to represent the blue sea and white surf of the waves, it’s THE place for a dreamy Balearic sunset. Beware, you must book the interior tables in advance and there’s a minimum spend.
Outside on the terrace, the tables begin to fill early ladies and gents, so you’ll want to get there for around 6pm at the latest to be sure of a seat, especially during high season. Considering how famous the place is, the white, wooden, school-type chairs are surprisingly small, hard and uncomfortable. This reviewer would suggest that they invest in a few cushions - 3 hours is a long time to sit and those chairs really could do with an injection of comfort! As you would imagine, it’s packed out, but the music and setting are so absolutely divine it manages to still feel beautifully relaxed. Catch Hed-Kandi pre-parties on Saturday, whilst Tuesdays are all about Flower Power.
There’s also a large store where you can get Café del Mar CDs, tee-shirts and a whole range of branded merchandise to flaunt your Ibiza sunset graduation to your envious friends back home.
Right next door to Café del Mar is its big, noisy neighbour, Café Mambo. Without a doubt the strip’s biggest player, this is the place to see THE biggest DJs on the planet playing pre-party sets to a massive crowd. Café Mambo opens at 11am for breakfast and goes all the way through until the wee hours. The music gets progressively heavier as the sun disappears, making Café Mambo the loudest and liveliest bar on sunset strip.
They host pre-parties for Pacha and Amnesia and count Pete Gooding, Jason Bye and Andy Baxter amongst their most excellent resident Djs. It’s the mecca for a young, clubby, British crowd although of course you’ll find a thronging mass of punters from all over the world. Their strawberry daiquiris are well-known for their deliciousness and I can personally recommend the goat's cheese salad!
To get a table on the terrace for sunset, you need to have a reservation and there’s a minimum spend. If you have a limited budget, then you can sit on the wooden benches that surround the bottom of the bar or even choose a perch on the rocks out front which are now less treacherous after having been recently filled with concrete. You can even arrange to be that lucky punter parasailing past the crowds as the sun sinks into the sea.
It has to be commented that one unfortunate side-effect of Café Mambo’s popularity with a young, often pretty inebriated crowd is the truly awful sight of discarded bottles, cans, plastic cups and cigarette ends on the rocky shore each evening after sunset.
Please be aware that there are stiff fines for leaving rubbish on the coastline, quite aside from the fact that much of this trash ends up in the sea, damaging marine life and accumulating grimly on the seabed.
We’re sure our dear Spotlight readers would never dream of this kind of silly behaviour. But if you happen to see others around you leaving their rubbish, we would urge you to show your disapproval directly and helpfully inform them of the marine damage and possible fine they are inviting. There’s nothing quite like peer pressure, Ibiza lovers!
On the other hand, as you can see by our cover photo, Café Mambo are using their massive inluence to support Ibiza's fight against the planned oil explorations off the east coast of the island. Kudos.
Next door to Café Mambo is the fresh, modern and altogether more chilled-out Mint Lounge. I’ve always found the staff really friendly and helpful, the music is gorgeously relaxed and there’s enough space to move. But best of all, oh boy, those chefs know how to knock up a fabulous pizza! In my humble opinion, it also offers the best view of the spectacular sunset without constantly having someone’s elbow in your face. A small detail perhaps, but for this reviewer, a crucial one.
Continuing along the San Antonio promenade for about a couple of hundred metres, you’ll soon turn the bend that leads you to Kanya, home of the sunset strip pool party. Overlooking Cala des Moro, Kanya is the Ibiza workers’ favourite. Equally popular with tourists and locals, it attracts a young, cool and savvy crowd.
It’s open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner with some great deals and hosts a worker’s BBQ each Saturday. With pre-parties galore and of course amazing views, it offers a less-hectic alternative to the huge crowds that congregate outside Café Mambo and Café del Mar.
So there you have it, dear reader. A thorough probing of the famous San Antonio sunset strip. If you’re a sunset strip junkie, then follow this link to nearby accommodation.
If you fancy going for the full luxury of taking in the sunset view from your own private boat charter, then check this.
If you’re based elsewhere on the island, then buses run every half an hour to San Antonio from Ibiza Town. The fantastically convenient discobus continues all night long, at least once an hour, sometimes more. If you’re out in the countryside with limited access to public transport, then simply rent a car or scooter and come and check out perhaps the World’s most famous sunset. Whichever vantage point you choose, rest assured, it’s every bit as special as they say.
WORDS | Jane Charilaou
