Ibiza’s [UNVRS] hyperclub is promising “high-end luxury” — and dance fans are feeling alienated

Over the past few weeks, Ibiza ravers have been scratching their heads over some curious UFO sightings. A TikTok post on 31 July seemed to hint that ET was ready to crash land and party.

Fortunately, there won’t be any little green men invading the island anytime soon (probably). It’s actually just a publicity stunt for Ibiza’s new hyperclub, [UNVRS], which has been met with some dismay from dance music fans.

The truth has come to light thanks to Will Smith — yes, actor and Fresh Prince Will Smith. In a new video, Smith honours his Men In Black roots, valiantly embarking on a hunt for the UFO. “I feel obligated to investigate,” Smith insists, as he ‘nervously’ explores a building site and clambers up scaffolding. Of course, the X-Files-like case is quickly solved. At the top of a platform, Smith encounters Night League CEO and founder Yann Pissenem – who immediately welcomes him to [UNVRS].

“This campaign has been truly out of this world,” Pissenem says, who also owns Ibiaz clubs Hï and Ushuaïa. “Now that the truth is out there, we can’t wait to welcome everyone to our new universe in 2025 as we launch the world’s first hyperclub.”

[UNVRS] won’t be opening until 2025, but the venue is promising to raise the bar, offering a “high-end luxury” hyperclub that will reach “the scale and ambition of arena events.”

Keen-eyed ravers will also recognise the site as that of the much-beloved Privilege. The 10,000-capacity nightclub was forced to shut its doors in 2018 following a license suspension due to unlawful structural modifications. [UNVRS] will rise from its ashes, and hopes to offer a revolutionary new clubbing experience.

However, many people aren’t happy about the new hyperclub. Ravers have quickly noted that a “high-end luxury” experience will likely cost a pretty penny. On one Instagram post announcing the news, one user jokes “How much for a bottle of water there? €50?”

Another comment reads: “Another club for rich people where musical culture/quality will not matter and the same old DJs will be hired to raise their DJ fee while in interviews they declare how much they care about the scene.” On another announcement, equal levels of critique can be found. “Seems like an elaborate version of saying ‘another overpriced club for influencers and rich people,’” someone notes.

For most Ibiza ravers, a VIP experience isn’t what they go for. Reddit notes that “high-end service, luxury and attention” are buzzwords that should warn clubbers to “avoid like fuck.”

Even on the official YouTube video, the comments are sour. “The spirit of the hippies of the 70s who arrived in Ibiza were looking to get away from the empire of money, materialism, superficiality,” a user writes. “Yann, you have not understood anything.”

Still, if you’re keen to keep up to date with the club’s development, you can register your interest at the [UNVRS] website.