The Absurdity of Ibiza: When a Paradise Becomes a Pricey Pitfall
Let's talk about the absurdity that Ibiza has become and all that is related to it. I love Ibiza; I adore it. It was a place I would have loved to live in another life, but it is becoming unsustainable. This past weekend was the opening of UNVSR, and I had such a fear of missing out (FOMO) that I almost went there. Now I think, thank you, Lord, for not going.
Let’s start from the basics: tickets were sold for 150 euros, and the party lasts until 2 PM. Perfect. When it sold out completely, they released the lineup, and the best DJs were scheduled to perform at 4 or 5 AM. Then they released a second round of tickets that were valid from 6 AM onward when the top DJs arrived, according to many people's opinions, including mine. This is something many are complaining about, but that's not where the absurdity lies.
What's ridiculous is that I have friends who went, and it was overcrowded—beyond belief. I saw videos online, and for 150 euros, the sound quality at UNVRS left a lot to be desired. But it gets worse: when you go to the bar and ask for a small bottle of water, it costs 18 euros. How can this be legal anywhere? The law operates on supply and demand, just like when you’re at the airport and pay a fortune. Fine, if you don’t want to pay, then don't go—no problem.
You go inside UNVRS, and they’ve opened a place called Vicio. Check out this video I uploaded, so you won’t believe your eyes. I love Vicio, but let’s be honest; they've made things a bit tricky here. The price? 80 euros for 5 chicken tenders. Yes, it’s true they come with caviar. I need to try it, but I can’t help but think: I walk into Universal Ibiza, spend 150 euros on my entry, and then drop 16 euros for a single chicken tender just to taste it.
Let me tell you; it’s not the most expensive chicken in Ibiza. Just ask Pocholo. But you’ll end up feeling very unsatisfied, darling. 16 euros for a single tender? 80 euros? Do you know what I could do with 80 euros right now? A whole 5 tenders! How much does a drink cost? I didn't want to ask. My friends mentioned that they paid 18 euros for a bottle of water, and I said, 'I don’t want to know how much a drink costs.'
30 euros for a damn drink? How much? I expect that tender to not only cook itself but also serve me a great time. The place was packed—extremely packed. I have no idea if anyone controlled the capacity there. I saw the videos and thought, ‘Forget Steve Aoki, this makes the Madrid Arena incident look like a mere anecdote.’ So obviously, if they can charge those prices and people are paying, it's for a reason.
I was one of the first to almost go due to FOMO, but at what point are we normalizing 150 euros for a ticket? At the end of the day, sure, the DJs are great, and you pay for that. You arrive and pay 18 euros for water, 16 euros for a piece of chicken that isn't even sold alone. Therefore, you have to fork out 80 euros for 5 measures. It’s true they have ‘viceoferais’ for 8 euros and such, but everything is so overpriced. What is happening to Ibiza? It's all concluded.
Related Sources: