Cafe Mambo: 30 Years of Icon Status in Ibiza
How has a favorite spot for sundowners reached icon status in just three decades? One music lover finds out on a dreamy White Isle escape.
8 May 2024
“Cafe Mambo just embraced DJ culture from the word go.” – I’m speaking to world-renowned DJ Judge Jules about his time at the iconic Ibizan beachfront venue, Cafe Mambo, on the eve of its 30th anniversary. When quizzed about why he thinks a seemingly unassuming bar on the party island has reached icon status 30 years on from its establishment, Jules responds, “They fostered a community. Just being really well looked after created really big love from the DJs of the world towards Cafe Mambo.” It’s this sense of love, respect, and community that strikes me the most during my visit to Ibiza, and as I get to know the Mambo Group.
It all started with a dilapidated finca in San Antonio in 1994. Over the next few years, the venture gained some serious traction and eventually evolved into the multi-venue business that we see today. With its diverse restaurants, boutique hotels, and bars scattered across the island, Mambo Group is something of a White Isle monopoly in 2024. However, while it might be easy to see Mambo as a high-flying business venture, it’s family, first and foremost, that sets it apart. Run by Javier Anadon, his sons Christian and Alan – aka the Mambo Brothers – have begun to take on more of the business over the years. I’m sitting with the two generations at their bohemian beach restaurant, Cala Gracioneta, a ten-minute drive up the coast from Cafe Mambo. While Gracioneta is a little oasis perched right on the beach, fringed by tall trees with silvery trunks and dusty pink rocks that melt into the clearest of aquamarine waters, it offers a tranquil escape with vibrant stories of Mambo, family, and life on the White Isle.
When asked how it all began, Javier attributes his Mambo acquisition to being “in the right place at the right time,” but I suspect modesty is at play. “I am a little dreamer,” he continues, “always looking for a new opportunity. My business is to enjoy and share joy.” Originally from Pamplona, Javier and his Scottish wife Caroline first came to Ibiza in the ’70s, enticed by the promise of its unique bohemian spirit and burgeoning music scene. “I’ve always loved music; I even started singing karaoke when my wife brought me a karaoke machine from Scotland. I sing very well – always Sinatra or Elvis Presley,” Javier states with a good-humored twinkle in his eye.
It seems that this passion for music is the thread that holds Mambo and the family together. Having grown up with music in every aspect of their lives, from the religious vinyl-listening of their parents at home to a fully-fledged music venue at the heart of Ibiza’s scene, it was no surprise that the two sons went on to become successful DJs in their right under the aptly named moniker, Mambo Brothers. “I remember Cafe Mambo opening in 1994. You see the full evolution from being in it from the start, witnessing the explosion of dance music happen and the DJ culture evolve. It’s been really special to be part of that,” Christian reflects, his warm Scottish accent revealing a few hints of Hispanic tone. “I remember finishing school every day and just running over to Mambo to chill on the beach, spending time with legendary DJs from back in the day, without really understanding what a DJ was back then. There were no mobile phones, no internet.”
At a time before the overwhelming saturation of social media, businesses like Cafe Mambo had no choice but to evolve through pure word of mouth and exceptional hospitality. Moreover, it appears that everyone you speak to in Ibiza attributes this warmth and welcome to the venue’s enduring success. “Luke Neville [DJ and owner of Listen Up] shared a story about the first event he did in Ibiza with Radio One at Cafe del Mar. They didn’t even say hi to him or offer him a drink, so throughout the event, he’d keep going over to Mambo because there was someone charming taking care of everyone – my father. The next year, Radio One ended up coming to Mambo because they knew they’d be looked after. It’s the old school way,” Alan adds.
I find this dichotomy of ‘old school’ mentalities in a place celebrated for its vibrant music scene quite striking during my visit. There seems to be a push-pull between the sleepy, bohemian Ibiza and the intense party atmosphere on the island. If anyone can speak to how Ibiza has changed over the years, it would be Judge Jules, who transitioned from DJing at various venues to establishing his own successful night, ‘Judgement Sundays’ at Eden in 1999. “The clubs often get immortalized in pop culture, but in reality, there’s an all-embracing ecosystem around electronic music here,” he reflects. He continues, “People can be critical about the VIP culture, but I believe that aspect exists as a parallel to the essence of what Ibiza represents. It hasn’t tainted it.” Christian echoes this sentiment, saying, “There’s still that nostalgia for the ’90s, but I feel now more than ever it’s an Ibiza for everyone.” This may indeed be what makes Ibiza such a unique and enduring destination, offering something for everyone, from luxurious lunches on the beach at Gracioneta to dancing on the boardwalk at Cafe Mambo as the sun sinks below the horizon.
As Cafe Mambo approaches its 30-year milestone in a continually evolving music and bar culture landscape, one may wonder what lies ahead for this iconic venue. While it may be impossible to predict, it’s certain that it will remain in safe hands with multiple generations of music lovers at the helm, historical legends behind the decks, and arguably the best sunset in town.
