Baia Imperiale, Italy So then, after a summer touring around the world, I’m back with my weekly DJ Mag Canada feature #TourLife. Each week my reviews from clubs around the world are published on djmag.ca, with my favourite picks ending up right here each month in DJ Magazine Canada. This week I review one of the most unusual clubs I’ve ever seen in a town most people will never have heard of. This place is a far cry from Italy’s iconic cities like Rome, Naples and Milan. It’s a summer resort, on the coast in the beautiful Tuscany region. The area is a stunning location with many Italians choosing this place as a destination to soak up the sun and party by the Adriatic Sea. Is this a hidden gem that the Italians are keeping secret for themselves? Let’s find out...
DESTINATION/LOCATION: Gabicce Mare, Italy This region of Italy is beautiful and the location on the ocean is amazing, it’s no wonder the Italians flock here each summer for holidays. Although I didn’t have much time to explore the town, speaking to the promoters and resident DJs, this place is apparently packed all summer due to its massive coastline and sun-drenched beaches. The party atmosphere starts on the beach and weaves itself up onto the mountain, which is where the club is located.
VENUE/CLUB: Baia Imperiale Club This has to be one of the most unique venues I’ve ever been to. Baia
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Imperiale is considered to be one of the 10 most attractive clubs in the world. Standing on the hill of Gabicce Mare amidst greenery, its reflection can be seen in the wonderful blue Adriatic Sea, dominating the whole coastline, with its statues of Roman Emperors, fire-lit braziers and the incredible temple columns. Entering the Baia is like entering a fantasy world, as we do when dreaming.
The entrance to the discotheque is an impressive white marble staircase with one hundred steps and fourteen, three-metre tall statues of Roman Emperors. Two obelisks, seven metres high, frame the huge fountain which is topped by the majestic bronze sculpture of Neptune. Six incredible columns, each fourteen metres high, make up the temple’s façade. This surreal world continues inside: columns, thrones, sphinxes, centurions, and handmaids, all contributing to creating a magical evening, either by the fantastic swimming pool or outdoors on the top floor under the starry sky, called Caesar’s Terrace, a balcony looking out onto the ocean that offers a priceless, unique view, one of the best I’ve ever seen at a club.
MUSIC / PEOPLE: Thursday Night During the summer season the club opens 5 nights per week, it’s the only place to really go here so everyone makes their way up the cliff for a crazy party! Looking at the lineup of guest DJs, it does attract some big names, the
likes of Bob Sinclar and Martin Solveig all play here and after seeing how wild the crowd are, it’s easy to see why. The music by the resident DJs in the main room was pretty banging house, I may have judged this club to be a commercial place at first but in fact, they liked it hard, cue the onslaught of bass driven electro house and crescendo style breakdowns creating a truly euphoric dance floor. The venue had over 3,000 people in, probably most were lost half the time trying to find their way through a maze of rooms but one thing that was consistent, was the energy and vibe, everyone was buzzing!
STAND OUT MOMENT: Has to be the views, as you drive or walk up to the place, you are blown away by how grand it looks. Yes the decor is slightly dated but as cliché as it sounds, they don’t make clubs like they used to. If the view at the entrance isn’t enough to make the club stand out from the rest, then the Caesars Terrace above the club overlooking the pool and ocean will certainly seal the deal. I’m fortunate to visit clubs all over the world, but this really is one of the most memorable because of its amazing location, design and views.
FINAL THOUGHT: If we asked you to: Think big name guest DJs. Think 3,000+ clubbers partying hard. Think a cool venue in Italy. Then ask you to name the town or city, I know Gabicce Mare would not
come to mind. This is the beauty of writing my blog, yes sometimes it’s great to review the top places, the biggest festivals, the finest venues on the DJ Mag Top 100 clubs list, but I love it when I come across a hidden gem, one that nobody really knows about. The Baia Imperiale is one of those places, if ever you’re in Italy, stick this on your clubbing calendar!
SHOUT OUTS: Fabrizio and Maurizio. You can read my recent reviews from Vanilla Club in Switzerland, G+ in China, or Café Opera in Sweden by clicking on the thumbnails. Until next week on djmag.ca, stay safe and don’t forget to hashtag #TourLife