Privilege

When you’ve been bestowed the title of World’s Biggest Club by none other than The Guinness Book Of Records, you’d think your claim to fame is sewn up right there. But if that’s where your opinion of Privilege stops, then you’ve obviously never stepped inside its hallowed gates…

The gigantic structure that is Privilege is easily visible from the main road as you make the pilgrimage into San Rafael, thanks to an enormous white dome perched on the hill - in stark contrast the lush greenery surrounding it and illuminated at night like a giant beacon in case you get lost! As you drive down into the valley through a huge concrete white entrance, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve entered the confines of an exclusive gated community, but once you’ve witnessed the amazing light displays and performances, adjusted your ears to the incredible sound system and manoeuvred your way through the 10 000 or so revellers (give or take a few) inside the club you’ll come to realise that this is something else entirely - you’ve entered the Privilege zone.

Boasting a 25 metre high ceiling, an enormous swimming pool beneath the DJ booth (though sadly you can’t swim in it) and a cavernous greenhouse-esque outdoor garden area, life for Privilege wasn’t always so, well, big! Beginning its existence in the early 70s as a small local swimming pool with a bar, called Club Rafael, it was just another place for locals to hang out until in 1978, when it was sold to a famous Spanish footballer and his mates, and re-christened Ku.

Ku played a huge part in shaping the history of Ibiza as we know it today. Legendary for its OTT glamorous parties - including the famous event where Freddie Mercury performed ‘Barcelona’ for a television programme prior to the Olympic games - and many high-profile guests, the open air club was forced to build a roof when sound restrictions were introduced, and thus in 1991, an entire new era began as Privilege as we know it was born.

While it grew to fame hosting the famous Manumission parties in the ‘90s, 2008 is the beginning of yet another era for the mega-club. This year sees Privilege welcome the world’s biggest DJ, Tiesto to Monday nights but embrace smaller, more unique promoters such as Supermartxe, La Comunidad and underground island favourites Monza throughout the rest of the week - with the potential to hold up to 10 000 guests, who knows which one will be the next BIG thing in Ibiza?

PRIVILEGE: THE FAST FACTS
Where is it? Street Ibiza-San Antonio km 6,5
Urbanisacion San Rafael s/n
E-07816 San Rafael Ibiza
Hours? Midnight til 6am
Cover charge? Between ??
Are we there yet? Make the most of Privilege’s very own free buses, that depart every 30 minutes from Ibiza Harbour (Estacion Maritima), Playa d´en Bossa (Jet Apartments) and San Antonio (Bar M, Kanya & Coastline Cafe) from midnight until 6 am. Otherwise there’s the option of the disco bus, which runs all night between the clubs and resorts, or a taxi to take you directly to the front door. Driving is an option, but parking is limited.

PRIVILEGE PARTY CALENDAR

SUNDAY: Xtravaganza

MONDAY: Tiesto In Search Of Sunrise

TUESDAY: Closed

WEDNESDAY: Meganite

THURSDAY: Monza

FRIDAY: Supermartxe

SATURDAY: La Comunidad

Go to the official website for > Privilege