In 1986, Pepe Rosello revolutionized the electronic clubbing scene. He took over the nightclub, Space, moved it out to Playa d’en Bossa in Ibiza, a mostly family populated resort area close to the airport, built a wall around it and started throwing parties starting at 7 o’clock in the morning. The tourists poured in, hitting the club, suitcases in hand, before checking into their hotels. The early morning parties, outdoor terrace, and planes soaring overhead became defining features of the club that would run for an extremely successful 27 years. 

Space Ibiza threw its last party in Playa d’en Bossa in October of 2016. Carl Cox, who held a residency for the better part of the 27 years, kept the party going until the bittersweet end. In accordance with Spanish laws, the club closed its doors for 2 hours a day, making its epic parties 22 hours of non-stop entertainment, music, and fun. This was unheard of at the time of its opening and still groundbreaking until this day. No trip or visit to the White Isle of Spain was complete without an all-day and night bender at the island’s most legendary club. Space Ibiza didn’t just change the face of the Ibiza clubbing scene; it was a worldwide phenomenon. It became the most awarded club in history, earning 30 in its 27 years.  

What can only be described as a super club, Space Ibiza was 5 rooms of continuous dance music and the infamous Space Terrace, which Carl Cox still fondly remembers today. It has now been three years since its closure and the world has yet to see a club of such status open. 

Bring Back Space Ibiza 

There has been a lot of hearsay and speculation of whether Space Ibiza will make a triumphant return to the White Isle, and a lot of this chatter has been sparked by Carl Cox. For 16 years, the esteemed DJ was a resident at the club, playing a nine-hour set that closed Space Ibiza for good. It’s safe to say he has an emotional attachment to the club, which is why he has been so vocal about bringing it back. In 2018, Billboard confirmed that Cox would indeed bring the legendary club back. DJ Mag, too, reported on a rebuild. As the original club structure was reopened as Hï Ibiza in 2017 (and is having great success), Cox mentioned that there would be a rebuild in a new location in the future, with the same guys involved. 

At the end of 2019, we’ve still yet to see any sort of physical rebirth of Space Ibiza, but that doesn’t mean the club isn’t living on. Since 2010, Paul Strange (R.I.P.) brought the infamous party and sounds of Space Ibiza to Sydney, Australia under his promotional company Paul Strange Presents. Every New Year’s Day for the past 9 years (going strong into their 10th year on NYD 2020), the Space Ibiza party has resurrected at the Greenwood Hotel. This year, the Space Ibiza NYD Party titled A New Era will go down in the late founder’s honour with Heidi, Patrice Bäumel, and Rebūke ringing in the new year. This party began long before the club shuttered and we can only hope it continues on for years to come. 

Sydney isn’t the only place lucky enough to have a Space Ibiza inspired event. Under the Space Ibiza name, Cox reincarnated the party at London’s Steel Yard in May of 2019.  From London to Sydney, and now Talum, Space Ibiza has been on a world tour, popping up in major cities to throw endless parties with stacked lineups. Although the club closed its doors in Playa d’en Bossa, it surely didn’t put an end to the epic day into night into morning parties the world grew so fond of. Fingers crossed for something more permanent but until then we’re happy that Space Ibiza’s memory lives on through Carl Cox,  the Space Ibiza tour, and the thousands of partygoers who come together in the legendary club’s name.