Space Ibiza : The final chapter

Pepe Roselló has always liked to party. In 1963 he opened the first Playboy club in San Antonio, inspired by Hugh Hefner’s cotton tailed bunny club! So when a small conference center with a discotheque in Play d’en Bossa came up for sale in the late 80s, Pepe saw an opportunity. He called it Space. And it soon became the best nightclub in the world.

Back then Spanish law required clubs to close for at least two hours a day. Taking full advantage, Pepe closed up shop for just enough time to obey the law and clean up before the next party started. Spain was emerging from the constrictions of the Franco regime and young people were discovering music previously banned. It was a revelation and once it tasted the freedom to party, Ibiza never looked back.

In the early days Space was a mixture of variety shows (Miss Ibiza contest included) and boasted an eclectic mix of Flamenco and live music. Then in the 90s an English DJ set up on the terrace and was later joined by others and Space as we now know it came into being. This iconic club has hosted some of the world’s best DJs and parties. The likes of Carl Cox, John Digweed, Steve Lawler, Erick Morillo, Giles Peterson, Armin Van Buuren, Basement Jaxx, Danny Tenaglia and so many more have pumped out nights of memory making music, with the legendary We Love Sundays party being the star of the weekly show.

A sad day is dawning in Ibiza as Space comes into its very last season. Pepe is now 80 and his long-term lease on the property is up. He says it’s time for retirement. Who knows exactly what will happen to this iconic part of Ibiza? Some say a mall is on the way; others say an extended version of the neighbouring club across the road. Even more say Space will simply relocate, but as for now, let’s just all take stock and remember the good times. Lest we forget.