Ibiza Past
A celebration of Ibiza’s legendary party history
When did you first visit Ibiza, and when were you there last?
I first visited Ibiza a few times with my family in the seventies and eighties. I remember going on a bus tour to the Festival Club in the hills above San José in the seventies where my family drank wine and watched some mock medieval tournament. We spent days touring the island in a rented Mehari. I also remember sneaking out to a club named "Idea" in San Antonio when I was 14 and I remember thinking that I just had to come back and experience this properly when I was old enough.
Eventually I returned to the island in 1995 with friends and two days into that trip we visited our first club night at Ku – the infamous Manumission – and it just blew me away! We visited Café Del Mar for the sunset every night for two weeks and went out to a club every second night. It was a mad holiday, and it took weeks to recover.
I have been going every year since, even having my honeymoon at Pikes in 2000 and I have seen Ibiza change and grow over the years.
Clearly it made a lasting impression - why does Ibiza resonate with some people and not others?
To paraphrase someone else’s quote, ‘we used to go to Ibiza to escape the people that now go to Ibiza’. Ibiza is still and always will be a special place and I remember people in the nineties saying it wasn’t as good as the eighties and I think that will always be the case, where people think the good old days were always better. Ibiza in the nineties felt lawless, free and liberating and I always looked forward to being musically educated in the clubs. I think everyone has a different perspective of Ibiza, but to me it was about it all being classless, where you could dance in Pacha beside VIPs just off their boats one side, with some scallies from Liverpool on the other side.
How do you decide which photos feature? Are there any submissions that have left a particularly lasting impression on you?
We receive a lot of photos and videos, and some aren’t a great quality or are just holiday photos that could have been taken anywhere. I love when someone includes a story with their photos and that always resonates with our followers. I particularly love photos from the eighties or early nineties that highlight the fashion and innocence of the time.
Do you think Ibiza still holds the same magic today as it did during its transformative years?
Ibiza has changed and will always change, like the rest of the world. But there will always be something magical about the island.
Can you share a few of your favourite DJ sets or performances?
The Roger Sanchez nights at El Divino and then Pacha in the noughties were special. 8 hour long all night sets that started with house and ended with full on tribal. One of the bets parties I ever went to was the Garlands closing party on the Space Terrace back in 2001, just carnage. More recently a Carl Craig set at Cosmic Pineapple at Pikes was such a special night in an intimate venue. The early Manumission nights in the mid nineties are also very hard to beat.
Best after party ever?
Probably in 2000 after Manumission. We headed back to Pikes to get changed and have a drink, had another drink at Bora Bora and then went to the Carry On at Space with Alfredo DJing on the Terrace. We then ended up chatting in front of Café Del Mar that night for hours.
What are some of your own most treasured memories of Ibiza?
Those early days of immersing yourself in Ibiza for two weeks at a time and special night at Café Del mar every night of the holiday. More recently, some truly mad and exceptionally messy long weekend at Pikes with my closest friends.
What has surprised you the most about the @ibiza_past community, and whats it been like interacting with the followers?
The sheer happiness and joy it brings to countless individuals is truly remarkable. Knowing that my efforts contribute to others' happiness fills me with joy as well.
A celebration of Ibiza’s legendary party history
3/3/25
By Sophie Morrow
Discover the magic of Ibiza nightlife in this exclusive interview with Ibiza Past founder, Brian. From legendary Ibiza clubs like Pacha and Space to unforgettable moments, he shares his passion for music and the island’s ever-evolving scene. Learn how nostalgia and community have made Ibiza Past a beloved archive of party history, connecting fans worldwide through iconic photos and stories.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Brian, and I’ve been happily married to Nicky for 25 years. We reside in Edinburgh with our two Burmese cats. Both of us hold senior positions in our careers, and Ibiza has always been our go-to place for relaxation and fun. My passion for house music spans various genres, and I enjoy collecting vinyl, DJing, and previously being involved in organising club nights.
What inspired you to create @ibiza_past, and did you ever imagine it would resonate with so many people?
I began by sharing some of my old Ibiza photos on Instagram, which attracted a few followers. Soon after, people started sending me their own photos to share, and the account began to grow.
The growth significantly increased during the global pandemic and at that time I came across an article discussing pandemic-induced nostalgia. This nostalgia revolved around experiences we took for granted before lockdown, like visiting Ibiza. It served as a reminder to lots of people that life was meaningful and would feel that way again.
I've been touched by the many warm messages I've received from people reminiscing about their Ibiza experiences, many of which they rediscovered thanks to my posts. They've expressed how Ibiza Past has allowed them to reconnect with old friends or recall moments they had long forgotten. I never expected it to evolve into what it is today, but the positive feedback about its significance to so many truly makes it all worthwhile.
By Sophie Morrow
When did you first visit Ibiza, and when were you there last?
I first visited Ibiza a few times with my family in the seventies and eighties. I remember going on a bus tour to the Festival Club in the hills above San José in the seventies where my family drank wine and watched some mock medieval tournament. We spent days touring the island in a rented Mehari. I also remember sneaking out to a club named "Idea" in San Antonio when I was 14 and I remember thinking that I just had to come back and experience this properly when I was old enough.
Eventually I returned to the island in 1995 with friends and two days into that trip we visited our first club night at Ku – the infamous Manumission – and it just blew me away! We visited Café Del Mar for the sunset every night for two weeks and went out to a club every second night. It was a mad holiday, and it took weeks to recover.
I have been going every year since, even having my honeymoon at Pikes in 2000 and I have seen Ibiza change and grow over the years.
Clearly it made a lasting impression - why does Ibiza resonate with some people and not others?
To paraphrase someone else’s quote, ‘we used to go to Ibiza to escape the people that now go to Ibiza’. Ibiza is still and always will be a special place and I remember people in the nineties saying it wasn’t as good as the eighties and I think that will always be the case, where people think the good old days were always better. Ibiza in the nineties felt lawless, free and liberating and I always looked forward to being musically educated in the clubs. I think everyone has a different perspective of Ibiza, but to me it was about it all being classless, where you could dance in Pacha beside VIPs just off their boats one side, with some scallies from Liverpool on the other side.
How do you decide which photos feature? Are there any submissions that have left a particularly lasting impression on you?
We receive a lot of photos and videos, and some aren’t a great quality or are just holiday photos that could have been taken anywhere. I love when someone includes a story with their photos and that always resonates with our followers. I particularly love photos from the eighties or early nineties that highlight the fashion and innocence of the time.
Do you think Ibiza still holds the same magic today as it did during its transformative years?
Ibiza has changed and will always change, like the rest of the world. But there will always be something magical about the island.
Can you share a few of your favourite DJ sets or performances?
The Roger Sanchez nights at El Divino and then Pacha in the noughties were special. 8 hour long all night sets that started with house and ended with full on tribal. One of the bets parties I ever went to was the Garlands closing party on the Space Terrace back in 2001, just carnage. More recently a Carl Craig set at Cosmic Pineapple at Pikes was such a special night in an intimate venue. The early Manumission nights in the mid nineties are also very hard to beat.
Best after party ever?
Probably in 2000 after Manumission. We headed back to Pikes to get changed and have a drink, had another drink at Bora Bora and then went to the Carry On at Space with Alfredo DJing on the Terrace. We then ended up chatting in front of Café Del Mar that night for hours.
What are some of your own most treasured memories of Ibiza?
Those early days of immersing yourself in Ibiza for two weeks at a time and special night at Café Del mar every night of the holiday. More recently, some truly mad and exceptionally messy long weekend at Pikes with my closest friends.
What has surprised you the most about the @ibiza_past community, and whats it been like interacting with the followers?
The sheer happiness and joy it brings to countless individuals is truly remarkable. Knowing that my efforts contribute to others' happiness fills me with joy as well.