As the island begins to settle into a slower pace, The Standard Ibiza has effortlessly shrugged off vibrant summer nights and slipped into atmospheric winter soirees.
As Balearic residents will know, now comes the time of year when many of our regular haunts shut their doors until spring – and finding a place to meet up can turn into a major logistics challenge!
Not so at The Standard Ibiza, which is not only staying open all winter long but doubling down with a new food and cocktail menu as well as a slew of exciting options to dine, mingle and dance.
And before you ask… Yes, the famous “Not Your Standard Bingo” is back!
Kindly invited to try the new seasonal offering, we made our way down to bustling Vara de Rey to enjoy cocktails and dinner at the irreverent hotel’s street-level dining destination, Jara.


We have said it before in our Ibiza & Formentera Travel Guide, and we’ll say it again: Taking a seat underneath the soft, orangey-pink glow of the halo-esque ceiling lights feels just as pleasant when you are starting your day with a strong coffee and zesty juice as it does when you’re sipping on something more potent after nightfall.
A meeting point for breakfast, lunch, afternoon ‘tardeo’ cocktails and dinner, there is – quite frankly – never a bad time to drop into Jara. As if to prove the point, when we arrived on a Tuesday evening at the winter-appropriate hour of 20:00 / 8 pm CET, the illuminated oval cocktail bar and dining room was already nicely abuzz with its usual mix of island creatives, digital nomads and discerning travellers from all over the globe.
On the longer, darker winter nights the leafy green terrace on the plaza is now reserved for those who don’t mind the drop in temperatures, while the eclectic and inviting interior space offers a cool-yet-cosy spot to settle in with an exotic concoction from the bar and tasty bites from the kitchen.

Circular shapes, warm hues in burgundy, blush and coral, velvet-covered chairs, tropical prints and an abundance of lush plants give the bar and restaurant space a hint of ‘70s retro charm, with plenty of quirky details to admire.
For the winter months, the cocktail and food menu has been freshly curated to combine some of summer’s favourite bites from The Standard Ibiza’s rooftop terrace, UP, with the delectable offering of ground floor restaurant Jara.
First things first, we began our meal with a couple of The Standard’s own mixology creations.
The light and sparkly “Feeling Bonita” offered a refreshing and sweet twist on ‘vintage’ noughties favourite, the Lychee Martini, with just a handful of clean and zesty ingredients including vodka, lychee, agave, lime and a dash of soda.
Our second choice, the exotic sounding “Jaguar Juice” was powered by tequila embedded amidst a tropical palette of hibiscus, cardamom, agave and lime.
The cocktails slipped down even more easily thanks to the level-headed price point of 15 Euros per drink, when many venues of a similar star-rating to The Standard have inflated them well above the 20 Euro mark this season. As locals, we THANK YOU!


On to the food! The Standard Ibiza’s new winter menu includes a mix of elevated Spanish favourites that have been given a modern twist, Latin American treats that have migrated from the lofty heights of UP ‘down South’ to Jara, as well as some international favourites.
New for the cold months is the ‘Sandwiches & Snacks’ section with luxurious takes on the humble bread roll, featuring delights such as the Ibicencan specialty “Coca Bread” with braised vegetables and creamy burrata cheese, a Steak Tartar Roll, and Beef Cheek Brioche with truffle and pecorino cheese mayonnaise.
We couldn’t resist trying a surprising twist on the classic Spanish dish “Huevos Rotos” [‘broken’ fried eggs served on crispy French fries], which, at Jara, have been reinvented by replacing the traditional Jamon Iberico topping with tuna tartar and a spicy sauce!
Meanwhile, the elegant Confit Leeks Cooked Over Charcoal were a masterclass in turning this often overlooked vegetable into a real showstopper; topped with taleggio cheese truffle cream and crunchy bread croutons, the contrasting textures and rich flavours were truly swoon-worthy.


For our mains, we chose another Southern European favourite: The expertly grilled boneless chicken prepared on the Josper and served “Picanton” with a mix of Mediterranean spices, romesco salsa and fluffy potatoes.
From the sea, the delicate Sea Bass in a creamy “Bilbaína” sauce, topped with fried capers and slices of fiery red chilli, was another star plate not to be missed. With a side of crunchy broccolini from the Josper grill, it was a light and flavoursome dish that offers a healthy and satisfying option for the winter – and will be perfect when the heat of summer returns.
Of course, it would be rude to leave without trying at least one of the delectable desserts on offer. We shared another Spanish classic, the warm, caramelised “Torrija” bread pudding accompanied by silky Meringue milk ice cream – and the only trick we missed was not to add a naughty pour of Baileys on top!


As if the delicious new winter menu was not enough reason to swing by, we were also excited to see that The Standard Ibiza’s entertainment and culinary programme for the winter is not slowing down.
As mentioned above, the iconic “Not Your Standard” Bingo returns on Wednesdays with hosts Blonde Wearing Black and Jose Buto from 20:00 / 8 pm CET for a night of raucous fun and games, and some stellar prices to be won.
On Thursdays, it’s your time to shine when The Green Room opens its doors for post-dinner drinks and “Midnight Mic” karaoke. No private booths here, so don’t be shy as you take to the stage in this intimate room to live out your ultimate pop star fantasy alongside friends (and soon to be fans!).
Last, but not least, the popular Escucha! Event series by island favourite DJ Jo Mills brings the mouth-watering combination of a hearty Sunday Roast and the best soulful grooves to Jara every weekend.
As we are nearing the festive season, if you will be spending the holidays on Ibiza you might also be interested in the hotel’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve menus – while Balearic residents can make the most of their locals’ status by enjoying up to 30% off overnight stays during winter.
Once again, The Standard Ibiza is set to brighten up those quiet winter months with delicious food, funky beats and – most importantly – lots of fun!
For further information and bookings visit www.standardhotels.com/ibiza.
Photography by La Skimal for Tribe Magazine.
