Our first two summers on Ibiza were a whirlwind of excitement, awe and superlatives. Flamboyant characters, jaw-dropping shows, luxurious food and the electrifying rhythm of the night, a surprise or crazy story was always just around the corner. But just when we thought we’d seen it all, in 2017 – this will be important later – we stumbled into the captivating microverse of El Clodenis for the first time.
Hidden in a quiet side street opposite the church of San Rafael, the historic building’s humble white walls belied the immersive, colourful and charming world awaiting within.
Rooms adorned from floor-to-ceiling with hundreds of real wax candles mounted into the 300-year-old brickwork, mesmerising visuals flickering across each room, bar men wearing obscure white rubber masks to hide their faces while mixing up potent concoctions, and something new to discover behind every door…
And then – the garden! Completely unexpected, through a crumbling doorway out in the balmy summer night awaited a charming terraced oasis with gnarly trees, persian rugs scattered across its stone floors, and the soft glow of the swimming pool at its centre inviting guests to take a seat. There was even a man-made, sandy beach complete with its own “chiringuito” bar.
One thing was certain: Once you had passed through its gates, El Clodenis left a lasting impression.
So imagine our utter shock and heartbreak when, after another busy summer in 2018, this magical, enchanting, and curious space that stood out amongst the rest, closed its doors. And while hope dutifully reared its head at the start of each new season, we eventually gave up and accepted the loss of this unique space for what it was. It’s not unusual in Ibiza, after all, for even the most striking venues to disappear from one day to the next.
But then… One late night in early May 2025 spent doom-scrolling way past our bedtime, we couldn’t believe our eyes when the El Clodenis Instagram account was reactivated.
“300 years of history. A new beginning.” Was this a fever dream? Once again, we were reminded to expect the unexpected.
On May 8th 2025, the iconic El Clodenis reopened its doors after more than five years of absence. And as you can probably tell, we are invested.
Reopening as a cevichería, tartar bar and ‘Mezcaloteque’, a straightforward cuisine offering rooted in ancient flavours and heritage recipes prepared fresh using pre-Hispanic techniques, and Mexican-Mediterranean fusions.
On the plate, this translates to refreshing ceviches and aguachiles from the Pacific, traditional “puebla” snacks and mouthwatering sharing plates such as red tortilla made with nixtamalized corn and wild bluefin tuna with bone marrow, ash-baked chamuco potatoes, and 12-hour cocoa-braised ribs.
The new menu will be accompanied by an unparalleled mixology offering curated by one of Mexico City’s best bartenders, an expert distillation master and botanist, specialising in agaves and mezcals.
Beyond the gastronomy, El Clodenis is also coming back to life as a creative space, featuring innovative artists, multi-media art projects and installations outside of the commercial circuit. A continuous loop of experimental cinema and video art will set its walls and gardens alight to create an immersive atmosphere that will make you feel like you took a tumble down the rabbit hole.
The humble but labyrinthian house – the oldest building in San Rafael and listed as a Historical Heritage Site – will once again be at the heart of the mysterious and magical El Clodenis, full of bold, thrilling and unorthodox spaces.
Step through its doors and embark on a sensorial journey that – clearly – shall not be forgotten in a while.
El Clodenis is open every night from 8 pm. For further information visit www.elclodenis.com and follow on Instagram at @elclodenisibiza. For more recommendations download our Ibiza & Formentera island guide.
