Finally beach culture has been taken up a notch in Paphos. Sometimes slow to catch on, the coastal town is emerging as a ‘happening place’ for the under 45s to spend time this summer says BEJAY BROWNE
Paphos, with its UNESCO sites and activities geared towards the older clientele, is trying to break from its sedentary image and a multitude of trendy new bars; caf?s and restaurants have popped up across the town. But the newest and hippest addition to the burgeoning social scene is the twice-monthly beach party at ‘Malibu La Playa’ in Yeroskipou.
This isn’t a place where hippies gather round a campfire singing along to a dreadlocked guitarist playing Bob Dylan classics, more a place where you will find glamorous girls and well turned out young men flirting by the light of the fire, and dancing to talented DJs spinning the latest dance floor tracks, mixed with a sprinkling of all time dance classics.
Entrance to the party is free and it all kicks off at 9pm every other Saturday. Tourists, Cypriots and foreign residents happily spend an evening together, drinking, dancing and having fun.
“We are like a big family; the staff, guests, and everyone gets on with each other. The atmosphere and vibe is friendly and relaxed. We are giving people what they want,” one of the founders of the venture, Nicos Palios, said.
A huge fire, the heart of any beach party, is surrounded by reed covered wooden structures complete with comfortable sunbeds and low lighting. The DJs are perched above the makeshift sandy beach dance floor and spin their tunes, accompanied by a smattering of MCing from the organisers and their friends.
Palios covers a chosen few with glitter and a photographer flashes away as the crowd hots up, ensuring enough pictures to cover the beach party’ fan page on facebook.
Stelios Chrystodoulou went to school with Palios, who started the venture along with his brother Costantinos. He is a consultant to the brothers and studied business, which he refers to as a science. “Most people in Paphos don’t understand that,” he said.
The brothers have rented the stretch of beach from the municipality of Yeroskipou for the last two years, but say this season is the first time they have been ‘properly’ organised.
Palios said,” we try to give value to the customers and their needs, by asking them what they want.” This may seem a simple approach, but it works. Malibu is steadily gaining a reputation as the beach to use for the under 40s in Paphos.
The beach is also a haven for the younger crowd during the day, and a beach service, free sunbeds, showers and canoeing for regulars, ensures it’s always busy.
Chrystodoulou reiterated, “Malibu La Playa cares about customers first of all, and we try to give a different beach experience and approach from the other beaches. This is why we decided to start organised beach parties with a twist.”
Performers wowed a 500-strong audience with their fire display at the last party, and Malibu promised special events at the parties throughout the summer. They have organised six parties in total, covering a period of twelve weeks of the season.
Chrystodoulou said, “As eighty per cent of our customers are aged between 18 and 40,this is our target audience. The parties are casual and relaxed, and we make our income from the bar.”
Partygoers said the first party was good, but the second one was “even better.” Yianna Rattoteck, a 24-year-old Paphos resident said, “The music was much better at the second event and everyone seemed in a better mood. I will go to all of the parties throughout the summer. It’s a good place to meet new people.”
Reasonably priced cold drinks and chilled beers ensure revellers cool down after dancing with the crowd in the sand.
The parties are being organised in collaboration with a local company called Geisha Productions, one of the reasons they have a professional feel to them. Palios and Chrystodoulou agreed, “We care about our customers, and we want to give them the best night’s enjoyment that we can.”
Chrystodoulou underlined that the beach parties are a ‘melting pot of different cultures’ with more than 30 different nationalities attending the last one. The pair admitted to their love of music, and Palios has a good understanding of the Paphos social scene, as he’s worked in many clubs and bars in the town.
The beach party is only on every two weeks to ensure the ‘sparkle’ doesn’t wear off.
Chrystodoulou said, “We are happy with the beach overall this year, as we now understand what the customers want. We have learnt as we go along, and we understand the universal needs of everyone.”
And if you want the Malibu experience to be limited to your own guest list, the entrepreneurs are now hosting private parties for special occasions for between 40 to 100 people.
The next beach party is on August 1. Information on private events, the beach parties and facilities are available from Malibu La Playa fan page on Facebook.
