Amnesia Ibiza, near San Rafael, the stuff that legends are made of...

History

Amnesia has blown minds for decades.

The house where Amnesia now stands was built at the end of the 18th century. Sold to an aristocratic and artistic widow in the 70s it became a home to hippies who played in bands and danced till dawn while experimenting with LSD and "touching the heavens", according to the Amnesia web site.

In 1975 Spain's long ruling dictator Franco died. In 1976 the new tennant Antonio Escohotado turned the house into a discotheque and christened it Amnesia.

The four four thump of disco took over from rock and is yet to relinquish its hold. But it was the juxtapostion of new and old sounds, pop and underground which was truly influential. Argentine Alfredo Fiorito wowed Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling and others in the summer of '88 and let flow a torrent of mass tourism which continues raging to this day.

Location

Half way between Ibiza and San Antonio on the main road, on the opposite side of the highway from the village of San Rafael.

Music Policy

Amnesia

While the previously open air venue was enclosed, Amnesia promoters lost the air of freedom but gained volume. All the successful promoters that inhabit it today have taken advantage of the ability of the sound system to fill every corner of the room with physical waves of sound.

From the sonic innovations of Cocoon's techno-tastic Monday nighter to the euphoric rushes of Cream, it's music made to be felt as much as heard. Typically it's housier on the terrace and more banging in the sala principal.

Inside Amnesia

Amnesia terrace

Renovated and updated for 2008, the terrace is a huge greenhouse with palm trees, many bars and a pleasantly air-conditioned VIP area which encircles the club on the upper floor.

The plebs below are cooled by less subtle means - two massive "ice cannons" blasting cold air fire off at regular intervals. Amnesia also host Espuma parties at which life-threatening quantities of foam are pumped onto the dance floor in the main room.

Boulder-sized stacks of speakers litter the floor and are usually colonised by enthusiastic ravers. Tacky dancers bounce around on podiums on the upstairs floor, level with the dj booth which looks down on the writhing masses below.

Prices

Expect to pay from €30 to €55 for the parties Cream and Cocoon, depending on the month. Entry on other days costs between €20 and €30. Spirit and mixers cost €12 or more and a beer €10. The bars upstairs are more expensive.