Location: Zrce Beach, Island of Pag, Croatia
Capacity: 3,500
Back in 2002, a collective of Croatian visionaries wanted to create an internationally known open-air club. A space that would put Croatia on top of the world map for festival-goers and adventure seekers. A site that would wow visitors and excite the clubbing community. Job done. Since then, the pool area has had a complete redesign, and a few clever little remoulds to the setup and decorations in the daytime part of the club keep this wonder-venue fresh.
Papaya Club, set back just a few steps from the ocean, is completely open-air and basically one of the most idyllic and breathtaking clubs in the whole damn universe as we know it. A go-to for Croatia’s festival season, Papaya is open from late May to early September. Last year, it welcomed back the likes of Don Diablo, Amelie Lens, Marco Carola and Timmy Trumpet to dazzle on the shell-like main stage decks.
This year there are plans to host over 10 festivals, from Hideout to Sonus, with fabulous headline DJs joining their equally fabulous local resident DJs: Kosta, Radman, Trevon, Sheko, Marzz and Rudeejay. Peak summertime this year sees Day & Night Festival laying on a lavish EDM event, while Beach Odyssey Festival will be keeping things trance-like and progressive. There are also plans in the pipeline to craft entirely new festival brands, with Vaquation, Isla Loca, Daddy Yankee and Spinnin’ Records among the partners and like-minded collaborators being mentioned.