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DJ Mag Top100 Clubs
8
Papaya
1

Location: Zrće Beach, Croatia

Capacity: 3,500

papaya.com.hr

Papaya on the gorgeous Island of Pag is one of the world's best beach clubs. It is almost completely open-air, with a shell-like main stage and famously oversized production, all just a few steps from the sea. Since opening as a sister venue to Papaya Zagreb in 2002, it has helped put Croatia on the clubbing map by hosting famous pool parties for six hours every day, and some of the most notable European festivals each summer. These include the likes of Hideout, Sonus and Fresh Island, but the club also boasts its own rich programme of events and a killer resident team who play across the electronic spectrum, including Kosta Radman, Trevon, and Tony D.

The club's sprawling wooden decking and dancefloors, towering palm trees and uninterrupted views of the Adriatic remained accessible to clubbers throughout the pandemic. The only concessions were a reduced capacity and socially distanced events with a more local focus.

After opening as a bar in June, July saw the club get a green light for full events and it hasn't hung around: so far Papaya has hosted shows with the likes of Mike Williams, Brooks, Tony Junior, James Hype, Ellen Allien, and Sick Individuals. Returning festivals like Lunar, Barrakud and Bavaria Goes ZRCE are all yet to come. If you can make it out to Croatia, there are few finer experiences than dancing under a hot sun at Papaya.