Ah yes, the glory days of Ibiza, a simpler time for the Island. The 70s, 80s & 90s were great times in Ibiza, all playing a key part in the growth of the Island and helped lay the foundations for what it would be like today. It’s easy to say, that these times were some of the best as you’ve probably heard some 40-year-old geezer down the West End shout about how great Ibiza was in the 90’s.

From the birth of the Island with the influx of hippies in the 60’s, the first parties opening in the 70’s including Ku Club, Pacha & Amnesia to the new wave of rave infused genres that took the Island to unseen heights globally.

Here are our 9 reasons to reflect on the best days the Ibiza has ever seen.

Normal priced drinks – Since in the insanely fast growth of Ibiza over the years, the Island has taken on some trends. One of the biggest factors of the glory days in Ibiza was the cheap drinks and how you didn’t have to give both your left leg and house keys to be in with a chance of buying a round for your mates. Now you can walk into most clubs and be charged 8 euro for a party bottle size of water or if that doesn’t quench your thirst, how about a 15 euro single vodka red bull?

Flower Power – As club-goers would pour into Pacha every Tuesday night in the 60’s, people would be ecstatic as they were all about to experience the Flower Power movement. One of the most renowned hippies at the time of the movement had this to say about the Island in the 60’s.

“They were very special years. The island was yours and the inhabitants of Ibiza observed the movement of ‘peluts’ that was giving them a certain prosperity. The sea and the beach, the fields, the people, everything was giving you a nice distraction. We lived in a perfect bubble created by the world hippies-musical explosion of the wonderful years 60 in the island of the god Bes”

Sasha – Sasha is undoubtedly one of the demi-gods from the Island’s early days. He provided some of the most memorable sets to club-goers and the mix below is a perfect example of what he was all about back then. It’s also good to mention that Sasha is not to be confused with the famous quote “Sash or Chicane”

Good weed – Marijuana, a delightful addition to any sunset or activity on the Island. What happened to the good reliable nonsynthetic strains? Your local hippie dealer Doug was the number one guy for some of the good stuff.

Bob Marley playing his guitar on the beach –When Bob Marley visited the Island for the first time in 1978, it was considered one of the most memorable times for people that got to see him play on the beach live with his guitar. Sunset, Bob Marley jamming surrounded by your best mates? A moment I’m pretty sure anyone would pay a lot to be involved in.

Pikes Hotel parties – Pikes has had quite a few legendary stories of after parties back in the glory days. One of the main ones being Freddy Mercury celebrating his 41st birthday where it was considered to be one of the most lavish and extreme parties to ever been thrown at the hotel. The party consisted of thousands of gold and black helium balloons which took three days to inflate, a thunderous firework display, 350 bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne and a cake in the shape of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia Cathedral. This seems a tad bit better than sitting on some rock face with a bottle of San Miguel burnt to bits from the beaming sun.

(George Michael filming Wham’s 1983 video for “Club Tropicana,” filmed at Pikes Hotel)

Naked beaches –  Full frontal nudity was so open back in these days. Feeling a bit warm and a bit freaky, not to worry the naked beaches were a major part in the 90s of Ibiza and everyone was accepted, all shapes and sizes.

Manumission – It’s quite simply one of the most extreme club nights on the Island hosted by Mike, Claire Manumission & Andy McKay Mike’s brother. Renowned for its no holds barred and extremely wild explicit live sex shows consisting of animals, humans and everything in between, this is something you wouldn’t even get in the Redlight District in Amsterdam.

Paula’s Clothing – As Ibiza was a key point route for hippies to venture down through in the 70’s,  this famous fashion boutique was one of the original styles that was born on the Island. Influenced mainly by the hippies in the 70’s, it laid a foundation that led to being a major part of the clubbing experience back in those days. Bright, exciting & out there is what comes to mind when looking at some of the clobber back then.