Defected Ibiza - A Journey Around the Island

Few brands in dance music boast a relationship with Ibiza as rich and enduring as Defected. From its humble beginnings at El Divino to commanding the stage at Ushuaïa and returning to the legendary Pacha, Defected’s journey on the White Isle reads like a love letter to house music. Over two decades, it has not only soundtracked countless summers but reshaped the island’s dancefloor geography - moving east to west, north to south, and always deeper into the hearts of clubbers. This is the story of Defected Ibiza: A Journey Around the Island.

The Early Days: El Divino & the Birth of a Legacy

Defected made its Ibiza debut in 2003 with a residency at El Divino, a stylish marina-side venue in Ibiza Town. Back then, Defected in the House was a young brand with big ideas - soulful house, smiling faces, and a no-nonsense music-first policy. DJs like Junior Jack, Sandy Rivera, and Dimitri from Paris set the tone, quickly winning over an audience hungry for something authentic.

The energy was intimate and focused, a far cry from the bombast of the superclubs. But that was about to change.

The Pacha Years: Glamour and Growth (2005–2012)

In 2005, Defected moved just down the road to Pacha, beginning an eight-year residency that would become the label’s spiritual home. Every Tuesday, Defected in the House delivered upfront house music to Pacha’s disco ball-lit dancefloor, redefining glamour for a new generation of clubbers. It was a golden era: Kenny Dope, Martin Solveig, Bob Sinclar, David Morales, and countless more graced the booth, while vocal anthems filled the air until sunrise.

Pacha brought a glitzy edge to Defected’s soulful roots - VIPs rubbed shoulders with dancers, and Tuesday nights earned a reputation as the night for house purists and party lovers alike. But as the club’s direction shifted in 2012, Defected made the bold move to walk away.

Reinvention at Booom! and the Birth of Glitterbox

After parting ways with Pacha, Defected landed at the short-lived Booom! Ibiza in 2013. It was here that the brand experimented and evolved. Alongside its main Saturday night events, Defected introduced Glitterbox in 2014 - a flamboyant, disco-fuelled spin-off celebrating diversity, freedom, and fierce self-expression.

Glitterbox was an instant hit. With DJs like Todd Terry, Joey Negro, and Late Nite Tuff Guy on the decks - and dancers dripping in sequins - it brought a theatrical flair to Ibiza’s dance music scene. Although Booom! closed after just two seasons, Glitterbox had taken flight.

Superclubs and Strategic Moves (2015–2016)

In 2015, Defected returned to the big stage at Amnesia, sharing Tuesday nights with Together. Hosting the legendary Terrace while Together took over the Main Room, Defected brought in acts like MK, Claptone, and Dennis Ferrer, fusing classic and tech-driven house across genres and generations.

Meanwhile, Glitterbox found its new home at Space Ibiza, bringing disco back to the iconic Playa d’en Bossa venue. But by 2016, Space was preparing to close and Defected opted to pause its Ibiza club residency to focus on launching Defected Croatia and strengthening Glitterbox.

The San Antonio Era: Back to the Dancefloor (2017–2023)

In 2017, Defected returned to Ibiza with a mission: revive San Antonio's credibility. Landing at Eden, the brand ditched VIP pretensions and doubled down on its roots - affordable tickets, no-frills production, and high-calibre house music.

The result? A roaring success. Defected at Eden became essential for island workers and international fans alike. Artists like Sam Divine, Low Steppa, Claptone, and John Summit turned Eden into a hub for new and classic house lovers. The crowd was diverse, the vibe electric, and the message clear: In our house, we are all equal.

For six seasons (2017–2019, 2022–2023), Defected helped rebrand San Antonio as more than a pre-drinks pitstop - it was once again a nightlife destination. During this time, D4 D4NCE, Defected’s newest sub-label, also launched Monday daytime parties at O Beach, giving a platform to rising talent and establishing itself as a staple on the pool party circuit.

A New Chapter: Daylight at Ushuaïa (2024)

In 2024, Defected took on its boldest Ibiza residency yet - a Tuesday daytime slot at Ushuaïa Ibiza. Trading the intimacy of Eden for open-air festival energy, this 22-week run saw titans like Disclosure, MK, Kerri Chandler, and DJ EZ ignite the dancefloor before midnight curfews brought it to a close.

The scale may have grown, but the essence remained: quality house music, world-class lineups, and a commitment to unity on the dancefloor. It was a full-sun spectacle that showed just how far the brand had come - without ever losing its soul.

2025: Coming Full Circle with Pacha

Now, in 2025, Defected is coming full circle - returning to Pacha for the first time in over a decade. Every Thursday from 8 May to 2 October, the house faithful will once again file into Ibiza Town to see legends like Masters at Work, Dennis Ferrer, The Blessed Madonna, and Groove Armada tear up the club that once defined Defected’s golden years.

It’s a moment of reflection and celebration - 25 years of house music history, unity, and evolution. A brand that started with a simple message - great music, for everyone - has now carved its name into the island’s legacy.

Defected’s Ibiza story isn’t just about residencies. It’s about redefining what a clubbing brand can be: inclusive, evolving, and unafraid to take risks. Whether under the disco balls of Pacha, the lasers of Amnesia, or the sun-soaked stage of Ushuaïa, Defected has remained true to its ethos - uniting people through house music.

Ibiza wouldn’t be the same without it.