By Alison Ramsey
Best place to enjoy a lemonade + gin pomada? Cova d’en Xoroi—a daytime bar and afterhours club in a south coast cliffside cave that overlooks the beautiful Balearic Sea. Here on the outdoor patios you can watch the sun sink into the horizon and sip a drink in its glow. At 1 AM, a DJ starts spinning and the cavern becomes a dance club.
The recipe for Gin Xoriguer dates back to the early 1700s, and the distillery’s copper stills are more than 250 years old. The refreshing “pomada” cocktail consists of two parts lemonade and one part gin.
The Cova d’en Xoroi legend tells of a man named Xoroi who arrived by sea (perhaps a shipwreck survivor) and took refuge in the cave. During this time, a beautiful young woman from the country disappeared and was missing for years. One wintry day, a rare snowfall revealed footprints leading to the cave. Armed men stormed the cave and discovered Xoroi, the missing woman who had fallen in love with him, and their three children. Xoroi felt cornered and he and his eldest son jumped off the cliff into the sea, never to be seen again. The woman and her other children were taken back to Alaior, where they began a long lineage.
The cave’s interior has ample seating and booths with a sea view.
Nightlife at Cova d’en Xoroi features a variety of musical artists and themes, depending on the night. The live music schedule is posted online, and tickets can often be bought in advance.
Tickets are required for entry to the cave bar, with visiting hours segmented into a day session where children are welcome, an ambient sunset session suggested for adults, and an adults-only afterhours disco session. VIP seating is available for reservation, and the dress code restricts tank tops, beachwear, and sportswear, so dress to impress!
Souvenir Spotlight
In addition to the incredible photos you will undoubtedly take home with you from the cave bar, stop for souvenirs in the fantastic gift shop up by the entryway. There you can browse a mix of locally made products, including handcrafted avarcas sandals by RIA Menorca and breezy Pou Nou island wear.
My gift shop souvenirs included colorful, woven RIA avarcas with a leather backstrap, and a lightweight Pou Nou tunic with shell buttons and a fish motif.
“Our company is based in Menorca, in the heart of the Mediterranean, and our designs are inspired by the island’s amazing elements—crystal-clear waters, magical beaches, and wild olive trees shimmering as the tramontana wind caresses them.”
Joan Carrés, Pou Nou founder
European Traveler 