Pacha Ibiza Dubai is raring to open its doors to the public this Friday with more than just a dance floor on offer.
The famed establishment began its journey in Barcelona in 1967, with its main headquarters currently located in Ibiza, Spain. The Dubai branch, the only one in the world to take on the full “Pacha Ibiza” name, is a three-story, 1,500 capacity venue that offers dinner, entertainment and a nightclub experience all in one.
“We’re really trying to improve upon the nightlife industry in Dubai and bring some really cool people here,” said general manager Todd Lunger.
Musically, the venue plays all house music, but it divides into commercial house in the Main Room, funky disco in the second-floor Red Room, and deep house on the rooftop. Located at Souk Madinat Jumeirah (where Trilogy club used to be), the venue was completely demolished and re-structured with a sleek black, white, red and green colour scheme that combines psychedelic vividness with a touch of the jungle. (And of course, the first thing that greets you upon entry are the two massive cherries that have become distinctive of the Pacha brand.)
On Pacha’s Friday night opening, DJs Sebastian Gamboa, Willie Graff, Stu Laurie, Ejaz, Pierre Ravan, Amy Alexandra and Rico will perform.
Lunger, who has been working in the food and beverages industry since he was 15, most recently worked out of Las Vegas. He said having a Dubai connection to Pacha Ibiza may allow the venues to share some big name DJs that have never been to the city before, provided they make sense for the region and the size of the site.
“We’re also going to be working on developing a lot of local artists and DJs here as well to give them a home to play at,” he said. “There’s opportunities to pick up some possible residencies. We’re going to do [weekly] local showcase nights, where we’ll be able to have local DJs perform throughout the venue. We want this to be everyone’s home.”
Before the dance floor opens up, dinner will be available at 8.30pm, with Pan-Asian cuisine served indoors and Moorish cuisine on the rooftop. A simultaneous aerial and acrobatic performance will entertain diners, by talents scouted from around the world by entertainment partner The Fridge.
Initially, the venue will be closed on Sunday and Mondays and open all other weeknights for dinner and a show. But on weekends — and one select weeknight, yet to be announced — it will bring the full Pacha Ibiza Dubai nightlife experience.
