Welcome To The Biggest Party In The World (Privilege (Ibiza) in general)

Member Name: jeff2000

Product:	Privilege (Ibiza) in general
Date:	03/10/01 (1447 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Biggest club in the world, Great atmosphere, Wicked nights

Disadvantages: Cost, The roof leaks

Privilege is situated slap bang in the middle of Ibiza in San Rafael, right on the main road from Ibiza town to San Antonio. It is in the Guinness book of records for being the world's largest club, and with a capacity of 10,000 nothing else comes close. Privilege's most well known night is Manumission, a night known the world over for being 'the biggest party in the world', though all the nights are full of quality entertainment.

Privilege is one of the original Ibiza clubs, opening in the 70's, and used to be named Ku (maybe after the massive queue's you have to endure there). It used to be open air and was the first club in the world to have a swimming pool in it. When the Spanish authority's brought in new sound restriction laws it forced the owners to build a roof over the club and the feeling of dancing under the starts was lost for ever. When the roof was built Privilege's popularity started to waver, the roof structure was hideous and the European jet set much preferred to party in style at the likes of Pacha and El Divinio. This led to a few years of underinvestment where the club fell into a sorry state and finally closed it’s doors amongst rumours of drug rings and Mafia connections. It reopened in the early 90’s as Privilege and then…
Manumission came along.
Manumission used to be owned by two brothers and their girlfriends, who had been promoting nights in Manchester, but then they had an idea, and it was a good idea. They wanted to hold the biggest party in the world, where everyone was invited and you could just let yourself go. Their nights soon became the stuff of legends, they had all kinds of entertainers there, stilt walkers, jugglers, trapeze artists, drag queen's, the works, people didn't just go there for the music, they went there for the whole experience. Then, wanting to take the party to a higher level, they started their sex shows, full on sex in the middle of a
nightclub, there was uproar in Britain and it gave Manumission the publicity that they could only dream about. Now the 10,000 capacity club was rammed every week, with many not being able to get in, and that's still how it is today. Whenever people go to Ibiza, even if they're not particularly into their clubbing, they just have to go to Manumission, to have the experience, it's not about the music, it's about the party.
Anyway, that's enough about Manumission for now, it's Privilege I'm meant to be reviewing so I better get on with it.

The club is set back off the road and as you walk down the track to the entrance a feeling of anticipation hits you (as well as some cars if you're not careful), you finally join the back of the queue and the evening has begun. The first port of call is a search, not for drugs or weapons, but for cameras, so don't bother taking one as they'll make you go and put it in a locker and charge you for the privilege. They do this because they have their own camera man going round taking pictures that you can purchase on the way out, and I'm sure they don't come cheap, so just another way of skanking you really. Anyway, once you're past the bouncers you enter the club on the top level, on the left is a staircase down to the lower level, where the main dancefloor is situated. The top level is really a balcony, but as you may expect it's rather big, as big as some clubs you could say! It has two bars and some dancing platforms on this level and I believe on some nights it is treated as a separate room, playing different music, though I would have thought that this would clash with the music in the main room, but apparently not. At the front of this area, overlooking the main dancefloor is the V.I.P. area, so look out all you celeb spotters, especially on Manumission nights. There is a staircase going down either side of the top level, each leads to a bar area with a bit of se
ating for when you need to chill out, there is also a Privilege shop if you’d like to get a souvenir of your big night out. If you continue down the stairs there is a second room on one side of the club, complete with bars, palm trees and another DJ, there are also dance platforms and a bit more seating, this also gives access to the roof top terrace, but this is only opened when the club is quite full. On the other side of the club is the entrance to the outside gardens, perfect to catch your breath before returning to the mayhem inside, they are lit by candle light and have quite a magical feel about them. And now on to… the main room. This room is split into two, this enables the club to feel a bit fuller even if it’s not as they will keep one bit closed if not enough people come. In the first room that is always open there are loads of bars, loads of dancing platforms and loads of people. The DJ is placed above the swimming pool, right in the middle of the room, this keeps him separate from the crowd but still allows them to interact with them. The second room just adds to the already massive dancefloor and when they open it up it feels like you’re dancing in an aircraft hangar.
Now I’ve given you the guided tour I’m sure you’ll know your way around, or maybe not, I’m sure I didn’t get to see all the club and it’s quite hard to explain just how big it actually is, it really has got to be seen to be believed. Your sure to find more rooms than I did and you need to return many a time I should have thought before you really know your way around.

Privilege is open every day throughout the season, and here’s what the line up was in 2001, though it may have changed by next year so you better check on www.privilege-ibiza.com.

Monday – Manumission, the biggest party in the world, expect all kinds of entertainers and freaks, and even a stage show! It’s not really about the
music so don’t expect any big names on, though they have a more than able resident team of John Kelly and Griff who play all aspects of house and trance, so probably something for everyone. This is the most expensive night and expect to pay up to 10,000 pts (£40), as always buy your tickets in advance to save a few pennies as I’m sure you won’t have too many left if you do decide to go.

Tuesday – Tunnel Trance Force, a German promoted night of techno, and unsurprisingly, trance. It’s quite a lot cheaper then Manumission ranging from 4,000 – 6,000 pts (£16 - £24) through the season.

Wednesday – Renaissance, Midlands superclub maintain their progressive music policy and expect big names such as Carl Cox, Danny Rampling, Dave Seaman, Deep Dish and any one who’s anyone in the world of prog. Prices range from 5,000 pts to 8,000 pts (£20 - £32) through the season.

Thursday – Trade, the gay hard house club goes to Ibiza with all the hoovers you can handle. Only for the hard house nutters. The back room is hosted by Liverpool’s Garlands playing the funky stuff, expect a night of outrageous fun and hard as nails beats. Prices from 5,000 – 7,500 pts (£20 - £30)

Friday – Xtravaganza, the record label hosts their own night of trance and hard house with guests such as Jon ‘00’ Flemming and Alex Gold. From 3,500 – 6,000 pts (£15 - £24).

Saturday – Nature One, more German trance and techno with guests including Mauro Picotto and Taucher. From 5,000 pts (£24)

Sunday – Club Mondano, Italian house with the most international line up going. Also 5,000 pts (£24).

As in all Ibiza clubs the drinks are very pricey, 1,200 pts (£5) for a bottle of beer, 1,500 pts (£7) for a spirit with mixer and 1,000 pts (£4) for a bottle of water. Though as I’ve said before the spirit measures are very generous so go for these if you&#
8217;re out on the lash. Get your tickets early to save a bit and arrive early to avoid the queue’s. It’s open from 12 - 7 or 8 so remember to pace yourself. Also take an umbrella if it’s raining as the roof is not waterproof and the dancefloor will flood, but it all adds to the atmosphere, or something like that.

Privilege is right in the middle of the island so it’s bus or taxi time kids. Buses run every ½ hour from Ibiza town and San Antonio through the night and only cost 250 pts (£1), taxis will cost you about 1,250 pts (£5), but agree a price first or they might try and fleece you like a sheep.

Overall I would say that Privilege has got to be seen to be believed and you should really go, even if it’s just to say you have! I went to the Renaissance closing party and it was my best night out in Ibiza, Carl Cox did a 4 ½ hour set and when he played his ‘one more’ at 8.20 someone dived in the pool and the crowd went mad. Oh, the memories…

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