In Praise Of San An

San Antonio is still the centre of worker culture on the Island. Living in San An, although expensive, is still cheaper than Bossa and Ibiza Town and that is why most workers head to San An in the first place. Workers have historically been tastemakers. They're organic, they're real, they're slightly undernourished, and they're not the result of a marketing campaign. There's a camaraderie, which can lasts a lifetime and San Antonio, with its worker-friendly bars and networks, is a big part of that.

San An is probably the only chance the island has of not imploding in a cataclysm of concierge culture and all-inclusive resorts. Booze-binge-ing Brits are starting to decamp elsewhere, giving San Antonio a fantastic opportunity to reinvent itself.

Andy McKay, the man behind Ibiza Rocks (the hotel, Pike's and Diner are all in San An), is passionate about San Antonio because he understands how important it is for the future of Ibiza.

"Ibiza is an ecosystem and to me the foundation of that ecosystem is youth. San Antonio is and always should be the entry portal to the island. It is the vital organ that the island must keep healthy.

Twenty somethings make the future; they are the disrupters. Without this market the island's entertainment industry will shrivel as the next big thing will happen elsewhere."

This year one of the biggest stories on the island was DJ Harvey's short residency at Pikes. A short drive outside San An, everyone knows the history of the venue: opened by Ibiza legend Tony Pike in the 70s and now owned by Ibiza Rocks, it's part of the mythology of the Island – scene of Duran Duran videos and Freddie Mercury birthday parties in the 80s and superstar DJ and rock star excess in the 90s. The combination of the intimate relaxed vibe of its timber roofed club and a DJ like Harvey brought the stars out this Summer and suggested a template for San Antonio when it comes to reclaiming its place as a clubbing destination.

The iconic glass pyramid of Es Paradis may have languished thanks to some weak promoter choices and an outdated soundsystem but, while it celebrated its 40th birthday this year it's still an incredible, unique venue with amazing potential. Eden had a nightmare with Gatecrasher last year but the millions spent on the refit are evident with the lighting, sound system and décor. Ibiza Rocks continues to bring once-in-a-lifetime DJ and live talent to San Antonio every week. And a new, three-storey club is being built by the Marina on the site of the old Pussycat club. There's a reason that Radio One have broadcast from the Sunset Strip for 20 years. San Antonio is real, it's authentic, there's loads to discover and it's getting better all the time. Don't let any snobs on the plane tell you otherwise.