Here we are, almost at the end of October and the parties in Ibiza just keep on getting better! Seriously! Take El Chiringuito at Es Cavallet for example. Now that, my friends, is what an Ibiza closing party is all about…
Take one amazing Ibiza beach restaurant on a sun-drenched autumn day, add the who’s who of Ibiza plus those lucky tourists who are still around, a truly mouth-watering menu, throw in some amazing DJs and include one very special charity association, an up-for-it atmosphere and you’ve got a real recipe for success.
Let me elaborate…
For the final lunch session of the season, El Chiringuito owners Jonathan Thorogood and Olivia Fleury teamed up with one half of Groove Armada, donating all proceeds of meals sold on the day to a special charity, the Doncaster Jazz Association, where the taller of the GA duo got his musical leg-up as a kid. Over 400 people for lunch were all eating for a good cause – you see, Ibiza DOES indeed have a heart!
And what a lunch it was. Unlike other restaurants, who on their last day may try to make do with what produce was left in the kitchen, El Chiringtuito’s three-course set menu was made up of the best of the summer menu. I opted for the calamari to start and the roast chicken as a main, but conveniently managed to have a bite of pretty much everything else on the menu (the beauty of sitting at a big table – oh, and did I mention we were right on the edge of the terrace with front row views of the beach?). Burgers, burrata, tartar… and let me tell you, they weren’t shy on the portion size either – quality AND quantity!
Over lunch, El Chiringuito’s resident DJ Mr Doris set the mood, in the specially built DJ booth that had been relocated to the middle of the restaurant in anticipation of the party action that was to follow. Andy Baxter was up next bridging the gap between the two parts of the event perfectly (building up a steady dance floor while all the tables were cleared out), before handing over the reins (or headphones as the case may be) to Andy Cato of Groove Armada, the only man I’ve ever seen ducking as he was walking through the restaurant to avoid hitting his head on those beautiful white ceiling beams!
All of a sudden it was lasers and lights, a throbbing dance floor and pulsating rave tunes (with the obligatory rendition of Superstylin’ of course) floating out over the beach as the party kicked up a notch, and never have I ever seen so many people smiling – for many Ibiza residents this was the first chance to really relax after a hectic summer of work, so there’s no surprises there really, plus there were plenty of mums and dads making the most of the Kids In Ibiza corner or babysitters for the night (even more reason to let the hair down) before the party respectfully died down at around midnight…
THE LOWDOWN
THE GOOD: The staff at El Chiringuito are without a doubt, the happiest, friendliest, most helpful restaurant team on the island. These guys have worked their butts off over the summer and – as a person who’s had the good fortune to dine there many, many times – I can truly say, the standard of service never faltered. Not once. Not even on the closing, when one might be tempted to slack off or become exasperated at the heaving crowds. That’s precision training, right there folks, and hats off to the team!
THE BAD: That it had to come to an end. I’m not just talking about the epic party, I’m talking about the restaurant side of things too. Goodbye flour-dusted calamari, adios gazpacho, ciao for now truffle risotto, au revoir roasted chicken, sayonara summer crumble – I’ll miss you all so much, though I expect my waistline could be happy about our little winter ‘break’ from one another. Though I won’t miss that traffic chaos driving in and out of Es Cavallet!
THE GOSSIP: Quite literally, anyone who was anyone was there. In fact, everyone was there. And their dogs! And kids! Except a certain someone who was notably missing. And their dog. Know who I mean? Did you notice it too? Do you know where they were? Answers on a postcard please…
Get our go-to-guide to Ibiza's coolest events delivered straight to your inbox!
