Defected Finds a New Home at Chinois for 2026

In a move that feels both fresh and like a return to its roots, Defected has announced it’s setting up a brand-new residency in Ibiza for 2026. The legendary house music institution is taking over Thursday nights at Chinois, the stylish heart of Ibiza Town’s marina. This isn’t just another party announcement; it’s a statement, pairing one of house music’s most enduring brands with one of the island’s most refined clubbing spaces.

A Return to Intimacy

After a spectacular 25th-anniversary season of daytime parties at the vast Ushuaïa Ibiza in 2024 and a much-anticipated return to Pacha in 2025, Defected is shifting gears for 2026. The move to the 1,000-capacity Chinois signals a deliberate return to a more intimate, music-focused experience. Gone are the festival-scale stages; in their place is a club built for connection, where the DJ, the music, and the crowd are at the centre of the party. It’s a perfect fit for a label that has always preached an inclusive “in our house, we are all equal” ethos, a message that sometimes gets lost in the sheer scale of the superclubs.

Chinois, which opened its doors in 2022 in the space formerly occupied by HEART Ibiza, has quickly carved out a reputation for its sophisticated atmosphere, impeccable sound system, and a discerning crowd that comes for the music. Inspired by the decadent glamour of 1930s Shanghai, the venue blends luxurious design with a raw, dancefloor-focused energy. With its state-of-the-art visuals and a sound system hailed as one of the best on the island, it provides the perfect canvas for the authentic, soulful, and uplifting house music that has been Defected‘s signature since 1999.

A New Chapter in a Long Ibiza Story

Defected’s history in Ibiza is woven into the fabric of the island’s modern clubbing era. From its early days at El Divino and a spiritual home at Pacha for eight years, to reviving San Antonio’s scene with a powerful six-season run at Eden, the label has consistently shaped the island’s soundtrack. This new residency at Chinois feels like a culmination of that journey. It combines the glamour of their marina-side beginnings with the pure, unadulterated house music policy that made their Eden residency so essential. The Thursday night slot is a bold move, placing them right in the thick of the action as the weekend warriors begin to descend on the island, ready for a dose of pure house.

Running for an epic 23 weeks from May 7th to October 8th, 2026, the residency promises to showcase a mix of cutting-edge talent and the global heavyweight DJs that are synonymous with the Defected name. While the line-ups are still under wraps, the label’s roster is a roll-call of house music royalty, including artists like Dennis Ferrer, Sam Divine, and Eliza Rose. We can expect a programme that honours the roots of house while championing its future stars, all within a venue that puts the experience first.

The Perfect Prescription for House Heads

This partnership feels right. For those who have followed Defected through its various island homes, the move to Chinois is an exciting evolution. It’s a refined alternative to the sprawling superclubs, offering a chance to get up close and personal with the world’s best DJs in a setting designed for pure dancefloor hedonism. To mark the announcement, a limited number of early-bird tickets have been released for just €30, a clear signal that this party is for everyone.

As Ibiza continues to evolve, this residency feels like a powerful statement about the future of its nightlife: one where quality, intimacy, and a true love for the music lead the way. What musical memories will be made on that dancefloor come 2026? We can’t wait to find out.