Es Paradis has been an integral part of Ibiza’s clubbing landscape for almost four decades. Owner Pepe’s vision for the club has evolved throughout this time but the main ingredient, fun, has remained. Making sure that everyone that comes through the famous old doors has a great night out has been paramount to Es Paradis and is one of the reasons that it has remained relevant for such a long time.
Many things have changed drastically since the club first opened in the seventies, music and fashion perhaps being the most obvious, but the basic principle of people coming together to enjoy a night out has been a constant. Es Paradis has catered to all nationalities throughout its tenure on the island, and has grown and evolved with time. Nowadays, the glamorous location is home to numerous high profile parties, offering a space that is perfectly suited for the clubbing theatrics that Ibiza has become famous for.
Marisol Aguire has a unique insight into the evolution of the club, as owner Pepe’s daughter, she has spent all of her life so far surrounded by the venue, who better to tell us about the changing faces of one of Ibiza’s true clubbing institutions…
Es Paradis has remained one of the finest venues on the island for over a decade, how do you maintain that reputation?
The answer is simple, the hard work of a great team. We have very clear ideas of what kind of club Es Paradis is and although we change and improve every season, we keep the same spirit Pepe the owner created 38 years ago.
When do you start thinking about the new season?
As soon as we start the season, there is a file created for the next season. There we keep all the solutions to the problems we have from the opening so we don’t repeat them, and the same goes for the improvements.
What is the hardest thing to get organized and ready for the summer?
Staff! Some of them have been working for us for many years but we have to teach our system to the new ones, organize them… and although we have our ‘user’s guide’, it is difficult to work with so many people at the same time.
What is your fondest memory of Es Paradis?
I was basically born in Es Paradis. This is been my games park, my meeting point with friends when I grew up and my office later. More than half of my memories are inside of Es Paradis, and I have to say, I can’t think of a better place to frame my life.
Why do you think a small island like Ibiza has become one of the most important destinations for clubbers from al over the world?
From ancient times Ibiza has received people from other cultures and I think that’s why we are so open minded. When people go on holiday they just want to have fun and not be judged, and this island is the perfect place for that.
After the hectic summer, how do you spend the winter months?
Working! Many people think we have holidays the whole winter but it is the opposite. I have never had one month in a row without working. After the closing we need to solve all the outstanding questions and we start preparing next season. Basically the holidays are a little bit of mountain and snow for Christmas and some nice trips to have fun but also to get ideas for the club.
Ibiza has changed dramatically over the years, what have been the biggest changes that you have noticed?
Years ago, there was a wide cross section of people in the island. And all of them shared spaces, bars, restaurants, hotels… now every nationality chooses an area of the island and they don’t usually mix with other cultures.
