The Best Bars In Formentera Spain

With its days as purely an unspoilt hippy hideaway firmly behind it, the island of Formentera is now home to a buzzing bar life – albeit one far more laid-back than its wilder and bigger sibling Ibiza. While you can still find plenty of charming beachfront chiringuitos, some of its nightlife also nowadays reflects the new breed of A-lister that occasionally drops in. Whatever your scene, here are the best places on the island to kick back with a cocktail.

Piratabus

Started by a couple of hippies from Germany who arrived over 40 years ago, Piratabus is one of the Formentera’s oldest bars and one that still manages to retain plenty of its seventies island vibe. Originally a bus (hence the name) its now a wooden beach hut located on the sand dunes of Mitjorn. As well and cold beer and outstanding mojitos, it serves up some excellent tapas that can be gobbled down while enjoying some great music and spectacular sunsets. http://instagram.com/p/BIw8sX5A932/?taken-by=piratabusoficial

Kiosko 62

Bar

Another off-the-beaten-track chiringuito, Kiosko 62 is located at the other end of Mitjorn beach and shares the friendly and super-chill mood of Piratabus. You can almost dangle your toes into the crystal-clear water while supping back a cold one at this popular and reasonably-priced beachfront bar. Don’t leave without trying their speciality – the pomada – a refreshingly simple mix of Balearic gin and cloudy lemonade. http://instagram.com/p/BKSfebcAnTF/?taken-at=305856708

Gecko Beach Club

Just along the beach from Kiosko 62, but a world apart is the super-swish Gecko Beach Club. Dubbed “barefoot luxury” by its owners, expect the well-heeled, the jet-set, and the occasional A-list (certain Dicaprio once dropped in) to be lounging around custom-designed loungers ordering expertly-mixed cocktails. Why not join them and splurge on a canopied day-bed and enjoy the sunset in style? http://instagram.com/p/BEWFhEQBTOw/?taken-by=geckobeachclub

Blue Bar

Bar, Spanish, Beer, Mediterranean

With a peace sign on its roof that can be seen from the air, this quirky bar also features a resident alien mascot and galactic-themed decor. Expect a blissed-out mix of reggae, ambient, and jazz music from live DJs as well as regular – and rather bizarre – extra-terrestrial performances. Set on the dunes overlooking Mitjorn beach, it can also claim some gorgeous sunsets and rumours abound that the likes of Dylan kicked back here in the sixties.

Chezz Gerdi

Restaurant

While principally a restaurant (and a fine one at that), Chezz Gerdi is also one of the finest places on the island to sink a sundowner or two. A playfully-decorated chill-out area provides a great spot for exploring their impressive cocktail menu – the Green Tea Gin is a highlight – and if the mood takes you stay for their delicious traditional Italian-inspired cooking. To find it look out for the rooftop VW camper van just on the outskirts of Es Pujols. http://instagram.com/p/BJJEIu_BqM6/?taken-by=chezzgerdiformentera

Beso Beach

Overlooking Es Cavall d´En Borras beach and surrounded by dunes and pine forest, the setting of Beso Beach is certainly a huge draw. Its rustic-chic vibe provides the perfect backdrop to sitting on the terrace, sand between toes, sipping on a cocktail, and watching the sun sink into the Mediterranean. Fusing Mediterranean and Basque cooking, the food’s not bad either, and as night falls things have been known to get a little lively (for Formentera at least!).

Flipper & Chiller

Restaurant

Owned by famous Spanish porn star Nacho Vidal, this mixes up lipstick pink decor with Balearic whitewash and driftwood touches to striking effect. There’s a decent selection of innovative cocktails, plus the on-site restaurant offers a surprisingly long list of wines to wash down the seafood-leaning cuisine. But its the swanky rooftop terrace that steals the show, offering 360-degree panoramas over its Mitjorn beach setting and – surprise surprise – some spectacular sunset views. http://instagram.com/p/6re14tH22M/?taken-by=flipperandchillerformentera

About the author

Leon Beckenham

A dyed-in-the-wool Londoner now firmly rooted among the cobbled streets of old town Palma de Mallorca, left a piece of himself in Mexico some time in the last millennium and had a previous existence touring the world with a band you've probably never heard of.