Clubbing in Ibiza v Vegas

[mikey_rfc]

For those that have experienced both, what are your thoughts?

For the past five years I have been to Ibiza 3 times a year (aside from last year where it was once) I enjoy the nightlife and the vibe during the day keeping the buzz alive. Also it is good being sorrounded by so many different nationalities (really helps on the world map challenge) which is where I think it will be similar to LV just instead of Europeans more from the Americas!

[ocam]

Mate, it depends on what you are looking for. Here's my take:

*You don't get tech/deep house in Vegas, like you do in Ibiza (though Body English is trying to bring in a few more underground names). LV is more commercial house/dub (Calvin Harris, Guetta, Avicii) though it too is starting to move into broader EDM (Hardwell, Thomas Gold, etc).
*There isn't a beach in Vegas, but there are great pools (and pool parties). Some of the Ibizia beaches are out-of-this-world breathtaking, but some of the pool designs and decor are equally jaw-dropping.
*The pool parties keep the LV day buzz alive and I think the pool parties are better than the Bora Bora type beach parties in Ibiza.
*I found Vegas more expensive, mainly because the best time is had by buying tables; and in Ibiza this isn't necessary. LV is also more lavish/opulent, Ibiza is a bit grimier.
*Vegas is centred on booze, Ibiza on other party favours.
*In both places, I have found the people really welcoming (including you Poms! [though I was on the Playa d'en Bossa side rather than San Antonio Bay]).
*Hot women pretty much equal, though LV probably wins over Ibiza due to the girls getting much more dolled up.
*The best night I've ever had in Ibiza (Groove Armada & James Zabiela @ We Love Space) just edges the best nights I've had in LV (Calvin Harris @ EBC / Avicii @ XS).
*For you, compare the flight to the US ($1k?) vs to Ibiza ($200?) -- you could pump that money into your accommodation, drinks, etc.

Having said all of the above, if you have never been to Vegas, then you MUST go. It is a great experience and I would not trade my Vegas experience for another trip in Ibiza.

I'll be in Ibiza at the start of August for the BBC Radio 1 Weekend and in Vegas for Labor Day Weekend; so hit me up if you will be there at either of those times.

[tomm0]

Ive been Ibiza alot.

To me, it used to be good. Now? Its pretty tame. Its stocked full of wannabe's who basically go there to put on facebook how they are in Space, or Amnesia. Its full of chavvy tarts who love to say how much they love house music but couldnt name a single DJ outside of Swedish "House" Mafia.

The daytime vibe in Ibiza is finished. It went when they outlawed day clubs. It was amazing in the early 2000s. Now its just like V Festival and a place for brands to appear cool. Its a real real shame, but you know.

Its also nowhere near as friendly. Like not even on the same scale. Its a european thing - people go away in large groups and are cliquey. You do meet people but on the whole Europeans are nowhere CLOSE to as friendly as americans, particularly in Vegas.

The music scene in Vegas is completely different. Its fully commercial, but then im not going to vegas to be musically ground breaking im going to party, and couldnt give a fuck who's playing I just go to the places where I think the best crowd would be.

And the women? well its 1000% hands down better in Vegas. I couldnt even put it on the same scale.

[benst86]

For those that have experienced both, what are your thoughts?

For the past five years I have been to Ibiza 3 times a year (aside from last year where it was once) I enjoy the nightlife and the vibe during the day keeping the buzz alive. Also it is good being sorrounded by so many different nationalities (really helps on the world map challenge) which is where I think it will be similar to LV just instead of Europeans more from the Americas!

They're completely different - only similarities really are that they're both nightclub focused and the type of music (in the last few years anyway as Vegas has caught on).

Ibiza has a much more chilled out vibe, bouncers don't care what you wear, how wasted you are etc. Clubs there are much bigger, and a lot more catered to just dancing wherever you want (especially Amnesia, Priviledge, Space). Also a lot more people are there solely for the music in Ibiza. Daytime - most people are sleeping much later and then just chill on the beach.

Vegas - much more for the VIP/bottle service crowd, maybe because people to Vegas for reasons other than seeing a particular DJ (gambling, nice restaurants) . Generally smaller dancefloors. However, hotels & pools are much nicer, customer service is better. Everything is nearer as well (Ibiza you sometimes have a 45 minute trip across the island to get to the next party).

Ibiza is moving more towards LV though, a few nicer hotels opening recently (Ushuaia) with clubs inside. A lot of the clubs are also extending their VIP areas to cash in on the trend as well.

Like I said, very different party places. They're similar though in that when you go once, you'll want to go back to again and again.

[benst86]

Ive been Ibiza alot.

To me, it used to be good. Now? Its pretty tame. Its stocked full of wannabe's who basically go there to put on facebook how they are in Space, or Amnesia. Its full of chavvy tarts who love to say how much they love house music but couldnt name a single DJ outside of Swedish "House" Mafia.

The daytime vibe in Ibiza is finished. It went when they outlawed day clubs. It was amazing in the early 2000s. Now its just like V Festival and a place for brands to appear cool. Its a real real shame, but you know.

Its also nowhere near as friendly. Like not even on the same scale. Its a european thing - people go away in large groups and are cliquey. You do meet people but on the whole Europeans are nowhere CLOSE to as friendly as americans, particularly in Vegas.

The music scene in Vegas is completely different. Its fully commercial, but then im not going to vegas to be musically ground breaking im going to party, and couldnt give a fuck who's playing I just go to the places where I think the best crowd would be.

And the women? well its 1000% hands down better in Vegas. I couldnt even put it on the same scale.

I'd also agree with this. Ibiza has changed a lot in the last 10 year. The council are trying to promote it more as a family resort. I'd loved to have gone in the 90's when it was in its prime. There are still amazing nights to be had there if you go beyond the five main clubs (KM5, plus Sankeys is there now which I think is decent). Plus places like Zoo project which I love you'd just not find anywhere else.

Also agree on the Americans being more friendly. You can do a week in Ibiza and talk to no-one outside your own group - just how the Europeans are. Women also better in Vegas.

[tomm0]

Another thing is the attitude of the people who work in vegas.

Last time I was in XS i was majorly hungover and was back and forth to the gents about every 10 minutes or so to throw up. In Ibiza youd get thrown out in no time if the guys working had seen that.

In XS though I was offered a seat on some sofas, given water, chewing gum, offered fruit (!) and a cold towel by the guy working in the rest room. Then when I left I went to give him $20 but he turned it down saying it was part of the service.

That right there is the difference. In Ibiza youre treated like a cash cow. In Vegas youre treated like a king.

[Moose1975]

Wow wow... I see a lot of things that I think are true... but also some things that I don't agree on.

First of all... I am from Holland so Yes European... But lived in L.A. about 20 years ago ..(ouch) ..
I am doing a Bizarre Bachelor party for my buddy in June which is right about what this thread is about...

We are doing IBIZA 4th-12th of June then fly out to Vegas 13th-18th of june... it will be the greatest 2 weeks of our life!

The States and Europe are really different... It's true ... Americans are much more polite.. and we can just be within a group and don't make contact with others for the during of the stay... But it also depends on what your group is like... I can tell you that if a group of guys go to IBIZA all the want is mingel with another group (especially girls) .. But all together yes is probably easier to talk to people in the states... especially to girls...

In Europe guys on holiday don't really care about talking to other guys... But last year I was in Casablanca, Marocco .. I met some guys from the States and it's a lot easier/more fun to talk to guys as well... Mostly also because our cultural differences which usually ends up with pretty intresting discussions..

I think and correct me if I am wrong... Europeans are much more like daily life ... even if they are going to IBIZA... on the other hand I have the feeling that when Americans go to Vegas..party like there is no tomorrow and all bounderies they have will fly out the window as soon as they set foot on Vegas ground...

Where I don't agree is that in IBIZA you are treated like a cash cow... I have much more the feeling that that's the thing in Vegas.. Vegas is the capitol of getting your money out of your pocket.. only thing is ... they made it a proffesion to do so without you noticing it!! Take that with your culture of tipping almost everyone... who crosses your pad...

In Europe usually people who work behind a bar make enough money so they don't depend on tips as much as they do in the States...

[benst86]

Where I don't agree is that in IBIZA you are treated like a cash cow... I have much more the feeling that that's the thing in Vegas.. Vegas is the capitol of getting your money out of your pocket.. only thing is ... they made it a proffesion to do so without you noticing it!! Take that with your culture of tipping almost everyone... who crosses your pad...

In Europe usually people who work behind a bar make enough money so they don't depend on tips as much as they do in the States...

Yeah I'd agree with you there. I feel like Vegas you have to spend a lot to have a good time, everything costs. Ibiza, apart from the club entry prices being similar (and the drink prices in the big clubs) it's a lot less money orientated. Maybe in the sense that Vegas you blow a hell of a lot, and that's part of the scene - whereas most people in Ibiza don't have much to spend as they are students etc.

[ViennaParty]

The States and Europe are really different... It's true ... Americans are much more polite.. and we can just be within a group and don't make contact with others for the during of the stay... But it also depends on what your group is like... I can tell you that if a group of guys go to IBIZA all the want is mingel with another group (especially girls) .. But all together yes is probably easier to talk to people in the states... especially to girls...

In Europe guys on holiday don't really care about talking to other guys... But last year I was in Casablanca, Marocco .. I met some guys from the States and it's a lot easier/more fun to talk to guys as well... Mostly also because our cultural differences which usually ends up with pretty intresting discussions..

I think and correct me if I am wrong... Europeans are much more like daily life ... even if they are going to IBIZA... on the other hand I have the feeling that when Americans go to Vegas..party like there is no tomorrow and all bounderies they have will fly out the window as soon as they set foot on Vegas ground...

+1

[mikey_rfc]

thanks for all the replies good to see the angle from other nationalities. I tend to avoid other groups of males when away as always leads to tension etc, find it alot easier to mix with females who are looking to have a good time. I guess this may be something to look forward to in vegas.

ocam unfortunatly I am not going to ibz this year just doing a few city breaks and a vegas trip across 4th July as started a new job this year so can't take the time off like I used too!

[p8ker]

Ibiza - Chavs
Vegas - Jersey Shore

Take your pick sir?

[bc86]

haha too true p8ker...

i went to vegas and ibiza in 2010 and going to both again in a few months, so very excited
personally, i had a better time in vegas last time.

1) COST: vegas, for me, i found to be cheaper because we didn't pay to get into the clubs and didn't have to pay for too many drinks either...whereas in ibiza, cost at least 50euros to get into the clubs and water cost about 12euros for a tiny bottle which you couldn't refill in the sinks in the toilets because its salt water! (not good when your off chops and desperate for water) girls don't get special treatment in ibiza like they do in vegas. accom in vegas is much better value for money also...

2) MUSIC: 1000 times better in ibiza but really depends what you're into...vegas way more commercial and ibiza a bit more underground, going with people with the same music taste as yourself makes a big difference!

3) PEOPLE: agree with everyone else in this thread that people in vegas are much more friendlier, and its way easier to pick up. girls are hotter in vegas but guys are hotter in ibiza

[Moose1975]

Haha... The way it is stated here above...

Me being a Guy from Europe... as it said here above.. way hotter as in Vegas... And girls being way hotter in Vegas...

Me coming to Vegas is as close to a Gods gift as can be... And must have a blasting time.. next month!!

[Ralph Mallett]

Have been to Ibiza the last 5 years in a row. We always have an amazing time as you generally get to see every DJ you want, in the greatest clubs in the world, and with fantastic weather, beaches, restaurants as a bonus really.

Heading to Vegas for the first time in August and I cannot wait. The music isn't a key factor as commercial stuff doesn't really appeal, but the whole experience does. Everyone I speak to who has been wants to go again.

I usually spend an obscene amount of money in Ibiza and I expect Vegas to be no different. And my airfare is about 3 times as much....!