Inside the intimate Chinois in Ibiza’s Marina with Wyan Schreiber

Chinois Ibiza, a jewel of a club already with world status, is thriving in its fifth season, a refreshing alternative to the island’s superclubs, and voted one of the World’s Top 100 Clubs (DJ Mag) two years running despite its intimate size and recent arrival on the scene.

Its continued success is due to their inclusive, diverse, dancefloor-first ethos, community focus, cutting-edge sound and immersive visuals. The club is set within Ibiza Gran Hotel in the heart of the scenic Marina Botafoch with its vibrant eateries and bars, within walking distance from Ibiza Town.

This season’s residencies inc. Claptone’s The Masquerade, Bedouin’s SAGA, Defected, La Troya, Mahmut Orhan, Major League DJz, TRIP, Appetite, Blanche, Anjunadeep, and regular ‘Chinois Presents’ showcases. Full calendar here.

A long-standing music industry figure, Head of Marketing and Sales Wyan Schreiber is an integral part of the team building the club’s success. We sat down with him to learn more about Chinois’ journey so far, his own story, and the Ibiza clubbing landscape in general…

You’ve grown up around Ibiza’s club scene, from Space Ibiza to Privilege Ibiza and now Chinois Ibiza. How has the island’s nightlife evolved, and where does Chinois sit in that story today?

Clubbing in Ibiza is in constant evolution. For decades Ibiza has been the “Mecca” of clubbing, a place to get a musical education and come discover the latest trends and sounds. As the electronic music industry has become mainstream and plays a larger role in popular culture, the stakes have changed. Ibiza is now a global destination and now attracts more of the masses. Crowds have less passion, education, and understanding for the music and the culture, so Ibiza is evolving.

Chinois has also evolved, but due to its smaller size and location, we are in a unique position to celebrate music in a more intimate space. Each season, we are the first club to open and the last to close, which allows us to be “the club of the island” and harness a profound sense of community.

The Ibiza nightlight is a worldwide reference know for it’s unique experience. I feel like that experience has changed as venues must adapt to the trends of the industry. What’s something about Chinois that most people wouldn’t realize until they’ve actually spent a night there?

That it’s a great place to have fun! It’s fun, laidback, getting a drink is easy, there aren’t crazy lines for everything, you can get an actual cocktail at the bar. The crowd isn’t there just to get content for social media, there are fewer phones on the dance floor. You have to live it to understand and feel the vibe!

Ibiza is packed with big-name venues, but what makes Chinois stand out when it comes to atmosphere and crowd?

Chinois is not the first club tourists tend to flock to, and that’s just fine with us. Once they have crossed off a few mega clubs from their list, they find us… People come with different expectations, and that lowers their inhibitions, which usually means a great time.

For someone coming to Ibiza for the first time, what’s the one mistake people always make and how should they be doing it instead?

Too many people come thinking Ibiza is strictly a party island. I mean, it is! But it has so much more to offer. Go clubbing, get crazy but also go to the beach, eat a Paella in a chiringuito, try the local food, swim in the seas, fall in love…

Beyond the clubs, where are your go-to hidden gems on the island for food, drinks or a slower pace?

They wouldn’t be hidden gems if I told you! Ha… I’m a big beach fan! Beaching with an umbrella, a wet book and a cold beer is a lost art. Just like some clubs, I have a no-phone policy on the beach. My advice is to wake up and check the wind: never an onshore wind when it’s more than 8 knots!
My local go-tos are quite simple: Bar Costa for a bocadillo, Fish Shack for fish, Balafia for meat, Restaurante Cala d’Hort for Paella and Finca la Plaza for a gastronomic experience.

Looking ahead to this season, which night or event at Chinois are you most excited about and why?

I’m super excited for Defected! I worked for them 10 years ago, and I’ve always been a fan. They define what house music is, and their back catalog is one of the best in the business.

You’ve worked with names like Loco Dice and brands like Defected Records. What makes a night truly unforgettable from your perspective?

The drugs! I’m just kidding 🙂 It’s all about attitude. I’ve traveled the world, and some of the best parties are the ones I least expected. These days I mainly go out if my friends are there or if I have to work. Not the most romantic answer but the truth.

What’s one track that will always get you straight onto the dancefloor, no matter where you are?

There are so many, I’m a BIG music fan and there are so many talented artists out there. Fine, one track: ‘House Music’ by Eddie Amadour. Just showed my age on that one!

It’s your night off on the island. Where are you going and what are you drinking?

If I’m off then I’ll stretch my beach session right to sunset, by then I’m a few beers in and ready for dinner 🙂 Depending on the plan, it’s either red meat and red wine or a shower, dinner and cocktails at Paradise Lost before going out. Either way, there is no meal without a shot of Hierbas Ibicencas.

For anyone trying to break into the Ibiza nightlife industry, what’s the real pathway in and what does it take to last?

Fortunately, this industry is still all about networking and connections. So come to the island and get crazy! Meet as many people as you can and have a positive mindset. Be yourself; don’t chase the trends, and the industry has a way of rewarding you for being you. It’s all about balance, the industry is not for the faint of heart: in order to last you need to take care of your health, your sanity and your network.