Vicent Torres, President of the Island Council, and the 5 mayors of the different municipalities on which clubs are located have come together to put in place an agreement on the closing times for clubs and music bars across the island that will come into force before next summer.
While ibiza transforms year after year, moving to the rhythm of demand and more recently of the craziest desires of richs clients, now the authorities of the island increasingly regulates the nightlife on the island. Last warning shot, the vote of a new local law for closing the clubs on the island, that will have wide ranging effects not least in Ibiza Town where music bars have historically stayed open until 6.30am but also directly on the biggest clubs used to finish the morning to see some in the afternoon with legendary after parties.
Amnesia, Privilege, Pacha, DC10, Space and Sankeys will now have to be closed by 6.30am whilst music bars must be closed by 5am. There will be no real change in San Antonio which has already operated under a 5am licence for music bars over the last 2 summers. The authorities also specified :
” If any establishments willingly break the law, then the authorities will impose sanctions that are commensurate with the offence committed, especially repeat offenders”. – Vicent Torres
This last comment was aimed squarely at Amnesia which closed late over the past summer on no fewer than 15 occasions including a massive 7 hours late for their closing party. Torres went on to say that closure orders could be imposed.
Obviously, this new law has not been very well received by the nocturnal business people of the island who feel they have been squeezed over the last few years because it will be a blow to Ibiza’s reputation as a party island especially with other destinations knocking on the door. However some residents and other pressure groups will be relieved that there has been stricter rules bought in to minimise noise and traffic.
If this new law add to the end of an era more libertarian on the white island, there’s nothing exceptional compared to the biggest clubbing capitals accros the world. It’s just a bit of magic that goes away gradually as the island is transformed, at the dismay of purists who come for years..