1. 38 | TRAVELLER | SEPTEMBER 10
WEEKENDER | MALTA
FRIDAY
As a party lover, when I heard about Malta’s
nightlife fast becoming a rival to Ibiza, I
couldn’t believe it and had to see for myself.
So I took off for the island better known
for its World War-II history than Ministry
of Sound with five girl friends and an open
mind. What inevitably followed was the start
of a rollicking retox that led me to Malta’s
edgiest nightspots during one brilliant sleep-
deprived weekend.
We’d booked into the Corinthia Hotel
St George’s Bay (from €233, book at
hotels.easyJet.com) – a fabulous five-star
spa resort which sits conveniently at the top
of a winding hill north of Paceville and St
Julian’s, the main areas for nightlife. It was a
decision that proved invaluable as we tottered
back at all hours in our four-inch heels.
After admiring the pretty view of the bay
from our balconies we donned our bikinis
and wandered down to the sandy stretch
of beach; a hotspot for sunbathing in the
daytime, or beach parties after dark.
St George’s Bay was still dotted with
small groups at around seven that evening
as we curved round it in a taxi to Al Molo
restaurant (Marina di Portomaso, St
Julian’s, tel: +356 2138 4300), in Malta’s
most exclusive manmade marina. We were
in for a real treat at this high-end Italian,
specialising in pasta and fish dishes such
as fresh tuna with a couscous flan, and
homemade tagliolini alla pescatora.
Afterwards we clip-clopped back to the
coast road where Bedouin Bar (Westin,
Dragonara Road, St Julian’s) was the first
Deborah Hatch uncovers one
of Europe’s hippest clubbing
destinations in the unlikely
surroundings of the small,
historic island that is Malta
Here, for a night on the
town VIP-style, Malta’s
Bedouin Bar fits the bill
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2. SEPTEMBER 10 | TRAVELLER | 39
WEEKENDER | MALTA
venue on our hit list. The crisp white linen
sails of the two Bali Champagne Huts –
which can be hired for parties of 10 (€100
minimum spend) – were clearly visible
on the shoreline. As we drew closer, the
queue heaved with designer-clad boys and
glamorous girls in skimpy dresses. We were
met with what was to prove a typically warm
Maltese welcome, as Darryn Portelli, one of
Malta’s leading promoters, led us inside.
“Malta can rival Ibiza with our level of
service alone because we have more five-star
resorts, a wider choice of restaurants, and
better bar and club prices,” said Darryn,
cutting to the chase, as the girls and I sipped
on vodka tonics (€3.50). “People I know start
at St Tropez, before coming to Malta and
going on to Ibiza. It’s cheap here, so they can
afford to do it all.”
By 11.30pm the place was packed. As
Malta is a popular destination for English-
language students, a blend of Scandinavians,
Germans, Italians, Brits and locals mingled
together. In the VIP area, a crew of wealthy
Russians danced on the white leather chairs,
while raucous groups of tanned, good-
looking boys and girls spilled out of the Bali
huts and into the main throng of revellers.
As the music switched to house anthems
such as Pride (A Deeper Love) by Kid
Massive & Jolly and Something’s Going On
by Prok & Fitch vs Todd Terry, a welcome
breeze swept in from the sea and us girls
got our vodka-induced groove on. Spotting
the sexy strut of a nearby “fembot” (almost
inhumanly perfect) I couldn’t resist a sassy
dance-off, busting enough moves to leave
Cheryl Cole howling with envy and my
friends crying with laughter.
At 2am we followed the dolled-up crowd
to 22 (Level 22, Portomaso Business Tower)
home of Malta’s VIP after-parties. With
great views across the skyline and the odd
celeb sighting, there’s plenty to see here… if
you are sober enough to notice!
RETOX
WEEKEND IN
MALTA
DETOX
WEEKEND IN
KOS
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