The hype has been monumental, the wait is finally over — the world’s biggest nightclubbing brand is now, finally, landing in the UAE.
It’s official: Pacha Ibiza Dubai will launch at Souk Madinat Jumeirah on Friday, November 7.
In Dubai, where excitement over a new venue can mount, crest and break in just a matter of weeks, hype is nothing new.
But the buzz surrounding the arrival of Pacha on these shores has been simply unprecedented.
Rumours first began circulating that the worldwide mega-brand was moving in early last July, when Madinat super-club Trilogy hosted its final party before closing for a “rebranding”.
Then on September 13, 2013 it was formally revealed — with a party at Pacha’s Ibiza home, no less — that the brand was coming to Dubai.
Owner Panchi Urgell flew out to meet UAE journalists last November, feeding speculation of a late 2013 launch. When nothing came, talk of an ‘early 2014’ take-off looked solid.
Over the months anticipation steadily built; full details guarded with military like precision, DJ insiders let tantalising details slip over the long months, describing the three-floor venue reverently as a ‘game changer.’
Last month promotional teams in Pacha T-shirts were spotted working Dubai Marina. The club has attracted more than 30,000 likes on Facebook without an opening date in sight.
Now, more than a year after the rumours first became a reality, Pacha Ibiza Dubai — the first venue outside Spain in the brand’s six-continent global empire to feature the name ‘Ibiza’ in the title — is upon us.
And what can we expect? While fresh details and pictures are still in short supply, we can confirm the following:
• The three-floor venue will comprise of three concepts: The Main Room, The Red Room and The Rooftop, each hosting different DJs and music policies.
• In a move away from the brand’s clubbing roots, The Main Room will open daily as a high-end, pan-Asian lounge-restaurant concept, with live shows from dancers, acrobats and more, reportedly supplied by local agency The Fridge. We’re thinking this is the spot where Jambase used to be.
• The rest of the venue will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm, with The Red Room spinning “funk and alternative” tunes, while the rooftop will host the deep and soulful house the 47-year-old brand is famous for... alongside a raw bar and robata grill (short for the Japanese robatayaki, “fireside cooking”). How very Dubai.
And, as you might have guessed, there will be international guest DJs.
It’s only right that you’re excited.
• Head to www.pacha.ae for more