Hype, word of mouth and false promises often lead to feelings of disappointment when you walk into a new venue. Thankfully everything you’ve heard about Ibiza’s newest nightlife destination Club Chinois is true – it’s beautiful.
“We knew we had to create something the island hadn’t seen before,” purrs owner Sofija Mehta as we sit in the July sunshine at Marina Botafoch. “We love that decadent feeling of jazz clubs from 1930s Shanghai with its opulent red velvets, sequins, grace and charm – that feeling of stepping back in time when hospitality was everything.”
Thoughts of long hot summers in Ibiza were the furthest thing from a young Sofija’s mind as she worked in her family’s Hamburg beer garden during her school holidays. When her parents retired in 2014 she took over and expanded, soon opening two further businesses and attracting major brands to do events with her.
Today, however, Sofija and husband Sid Mehta are the duo behind Island Hospitality, a stunning collection of restaurants, cafés and nightclubs headed by their original Park Chinois venue in Mayfair. In Ibiza, though, it’s the pair’s world-famous Beachouse, Mikasa, Finca La Plaza and now Club Chinois brands that are bringing incredible five-star dining and entertainment experiences to the White Isle.
“We always wanted to expand the business and thought Ibiza was the perfect place to begin. We have so many exciting plans for Club Chinois, such as our new cabaret and Chinese menu that will be unveiled in 2023.”
Musically, this summer Club Chinois has rocked, with major residencies by superstars Luciano, Satori, Ida Engberg and Pablo Fierro ensuring packed houses. So how does Sofija, a lady driven by a passion for creating the best possible hospitality, take time out for herself I ask, as we bake in the busiest and hottest season on record? “Tennis! We love to play tennis!”
Game, set and match to Island Hospitality.
