Midsummer MADNESS…

Marbella is famed for its party crowd, and nowhere more than Nikki Beach, but the annual Champagne World Tour parties are the piece de resistance….

Nikki Beach is one of the largest consumers of champagne in Spain, and now they have switched to Tattinger in favour of Piper Heidsieck by the way…. and a peak into the most hedonistic party of the season will show you why, when rivers of bubbly are not only being coiffed, but sprayed and showered around to cool down the ardent afternoon party crowd.

With towers of Tattinger champagne boxes teetering temptingly on the steps of the VIP terrace, the teams of cool Europeans, tanned, hip and with money to spray are getting into the party mood as the legendary Nikki DJ Mario Zarate whipped the crowd into an increasingly effervescent frenzy, along with the help of the live percussionists and the electrifying sounds of Julio’s violin.  Bubbly blondes, brooding brunettes,  bikini clad latinas, gorgeous guys in designer swimwear who don’t even break a sweat in the Marbella mid afternoon, mid summer madness –  and the fashionably unfashionable rich make up the Nikki parade as the experience of pure excess unfolds on the wooden decking of the luxury beach venue.  The restaurant is full of families, couples, groups of amigos enjoying a chilled afternoon while an amazing cast of characters play out a live show in front of their very eyes.

Just offshore, a handful of Sunseekers sway gently on the Mediterranean swell and the taste of Tattinger lingers in the air like some exotic sea spray in the humid hours more frequently used for taking siestas.  Fashions range from the skimpiest of bikini bodies to the most voluptuous of kaftans. Gucci bags, platform wedgies and neon nail paint are among the statements of the day. The Nikki team flash film star smiles as they uncork bottle after bottle of champagne in a full-on frenzy of fun in the sun.  The Nikki dancers look divine in their sweet Chanel-inspired champagne and black mini dresses, and everyone is having a lavishly good time. It’s like United Colours of Benetton, with every conceivable nationality mingling and mixing like it was a private party.  As a tall, dark handsome man moves across the decking, I remember how one similarly tall, dark, handsome A-lister was almost given a soaking in his navy blue Saville Row suit on this day last year, and I wonder if Piers Morgan will ever be back in Marbella….