Timeline
Some of Papaya club's greatest moments through history.
2018
SEPTEMBER 2018
2018 Line up
In the year 2018, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Gorgon City, Timmy Trumpet, W&W, Don Diablo, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Loco Dice, RIchie Hawtin, Solomun, Sven Vath, Paul Kalkbrenner, Lost Frequencies, Brennan Heart, Wiz Khalifa, MAKJ, Mercer, Vini Vici, Ofenbach, Carnage, Tchami and many more.
MARCH 2018
6th Best Club in the World
Papaya club was pronounced the 6th best club in the world in 2018 according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs annual poll.
2017
SEPTEMBER 2017
2017 Line up
In the year 2017, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Major Lazer, Sean Paul, Timmy Trumpet, W&W, Martin Solveig, NERVO, Showtek, W&W, Don Diablo, Redfoo, Headhunterz, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Joseph Capriati, Loco Dice, RIchie Hawtin, Solomun, Sven Vath, Paul Kalkbrenner, Lost Frequencies, VINAI and many more.
MARCH 2017
9th Best Club in the World
Papaya club was pronounced the 9th best club in the world in 2017 according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs annual poll.
2016
SEPTEMBER 2016
2016 Line up
In the year 2016, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Wiz Khalifa, Gorgon City, Joris Voorn, MK, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, DVBBS, Dada Life, Showtek, W&W, Don Diablo, Luciano, Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Marco Carola, Paul Kalkbrenner, Chris Liebing, Gareth Emery, Andrew Rayel, Lost Frequencies, Timmy Trumpet, VINAI and many more.
MARCH 2016
11th Best Club in the World
Papaya club was pronounced the 11th best club in the world in 2016 according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs.
2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
2015 Line up
In the year 2015, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Fatboy Slim, Duke Dumont, Clean Bandit, MK, Jamie Jones, Showtek, W&W, Don Diablo, Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Marco Carola, Sven Vath, Hannah Wants, Desciples, Dixon, Bingo Players, Cosmic Gate, Dannic, VINAI, Joey Badass, Pusha T and many more.
MARCH 2015
20th Best Club in the World
Papaya club was pronounced the 20th best club in the world in 2015 according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs.
2014
SEPTEMBER 2014
2014 Line up
In the year 2014, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Disclosure, Paul Kalkbrenner, Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Loco Dice, MK, Jamie Jones, Maceo Plex, Marco Carola, Markus Schulz, Sven Vath, Sander van Doorn, Bingo Players,and many more.
JUNE 2014
New Main Stage
In June 2014, Papaya club took one of its biggest steps so far - redesigned its main stage to a sensational 'open-shell' structure with an improved massive production, lights and sound. With this change, Croatia got a new landmark at one of its most popular summer party destinations, following up with many other improvements in almost every part of the club.
MARCH 2014
23rd Best Club in the World
Papaya club was pronounced the 23rd best club of the world in 2014 according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 Clubs.
2013
NOVEMBER 2013
Papaya Party at Paradise Weekend Festival
During the summer of 2013, Papaya club started a cooperation with one of the biggest brands/festivals in Brasil. In November, the club's program went worldwide and Papaya hosted its own after beach party during the Paradise Weekend festival in Brasil.
AUGUST 2013
2013 Line up
In the year 2013, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Hardwell, Snoop Dogg, Paul Kalkbrenner, Nicky Romero, Justice, Dimitri Vegas&Like Mike, Bingo Players, Sven Vath, Loco Dice, Ricardo Villalobos, Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, Orjan Nilsen, W&W, Alvaro, Dyro and many more.
Sonus festival
First edition of the big Sonus festival. During five days and four nights the festival hosted many famous DJ names such as Loco Dice, Luciano, Seth Troxler, Ricardo Villalobos, Chris Liebing, Nick Curly and many more.
1st Croatia Appearance - Paul Kalkbrenner & Justice
During the Barrakud and Pow Wow festival, Papaya club hosted Paul Kalkbrenner and Justice. That was their first appearance in Croatia and both performances were sold out.
JULY 2013
Snoop Dogg LIVE
American superstar Snoop Dogg aka. Snoop Lion was headlining and opening the second edition of the New Yorker Fresh Island festival at Papaya club's Main Stage. The festival was once again held at clubs Papaya and Aquarius and the names that performed at the festival were Snoop Dogg, ASAP Rocky, KRS-One, Iggy Azalea, Madcon, Tony Touch and many more.
25th Best Club in the World
Papaya club was pronounced the 25th best club of the world according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 clubs.
MAY 2013
"Papaya Make Some Noise"
Based on the events of season 2012, Papaya made a documentary about the club under the name “Papaya make some noise”. The documentary talks about the club's history, highlights of the season, it contains interviews with numerous artists that performed at Papaya etc. The documentary will be presented on domestic and foreign film festivals in 2014.
Spring Opening in May
The season of 2013 was opened with the performance of Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike in May, which was also the earliest opening date of the club ever.
2012
AUGUST 2012
2012 Line up
In the year 2012, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs and performers such as Armin van Buuren, Nicky Romero, Carl Cox, Nervo, Hardwell, Axwell, Bingo Players, Dannic, Thomas Gold, Nari&Milani, Alesso, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, Nas (live), Eve (live) and many more.
Barrakud Festival
The first edition of the Italian festival brand Barrakud hosted great names such as Marco Carola, Jamie Jones, Solomun, Ellen Allien and many others. The festival was held at Papaya, Aquarius and Kalypso club and lasted for the whole week.
Big Beach ft. Carl Cox
With it being his first appearance on the Island of Pag, the legendary DJ Carl Cox headlined the 2nd edition of the Big Beach event. The event attracted over 8000 clubbers from around the world.
Papaya Boat Parties
Papaya club started organizing boat parties. The boat would sail off from the center of Novalja city in the early afternoon and wouldn't come back until sunset. Boat parties in 2012 were sometimes featured with popular DJs such as Nicky Romero and the Shapeshifters.
JULY 2012
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New Yorker Fresh Island festival
The first edition of the hip-hop New Yorker Fresh Island festival hosted the legendary rap icon Nas and the Grammy award winning rapper Eve. Right after its first year, the festival became known as the Europe's #1 hip-hop beach festival.
Artistic Shows
From the year 2012, Papaya club decided to take a step away from the typical club entertainment. The club arranged a new spectacular artistic show from one of the best performers in Europe. The artistic act went on for every night of the season.
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30th Best Club in the World
Papaya club became the 30th club of the world according to DJ MAG’s Top 100 clubs list.
2011
DECEMBER 2011
EasyJet Catalog
Life's a beach! That was the title of the article about Zrce beach and Papaya club in EasyJet's catalog in 2011. The article said that it's a place beloved by the world’s best DJs and international party seekers and that Zrće Beach is the clubbing world’s best-kept secret.
AUGUST 2011
2011 Line up
In the year 2011, Papaya hosted numerous big DJs such as Armin van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, Markus Schulz, Swedish House Mafia, Axwell, Chichane, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, Gareth Emery, Glenn Morrison and many more.
After Beach Area Stage
The club redesigned its After beach area and built an After beach area stage. The after beach area now had a big sitting section with VIP bottle service.
Big Beach ft. Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim was the headliner of Zrće beach's biggest project yet. The clubs built a whole new stage at the beach and equipped it with an incredible light and sound system. With the stage out in the open air, the whole beach in fact became the dance floor. The event had over 7000 visitors from all around the world and an unforgettable atmosphere.
JULY 2011
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Hideout Festival
The first edition of the fabulous project of UK’s biggest promoters - Hideout festival - took place at Zrce beach's most famous three clubs - Papaya, Aquarius and Kalypso. The festival immediately gathered over 10 000 visitors from the UK and became an instant hit.
Papaya entered DJ MAG's Top 100 Clubs
In the year 2011 DJ MAG included Papaya club in their famous Top 100 Clubs list. Papaya was the first Croatian club that entered the competition and it was pronounced 32nd best club in the world.
2010
AUGUST 2010
Axwell named Papaya his No.1 Gig in 2010
"The best gig in 2010!" was what Axwell said in an interview for DJ Magazine after performing at Papaya club for the first time. He was absolutely thrilled. Axwell continued performing at Papaya for several years to come and said it was on his "must" list for the summer.
2010 Line up ft. Top 7 DJs
Seven out of Top 10 DJs according to DJ MAG performed at Papaya club in 2010. - Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris, Sven Vath, Markus Schulz and Deadmouse. That season, Papaya also hosted Markus Schulz, Axwell, Gareth Emery, Umek, Ferry Corsten, David Morales and many more.
Godskitchen ft. Swedish House Mafia
Papaya club cooperated with MTV on the Godskitchen Festival which was headlined by Swedish House Mafia. That was the second time Papaya hosted the famous Swedish trio.
2009
AUGUST 2009
2009 Line up
In the year 2009, Papaya hosted a big number of great DJs such as Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz, Pete Tong, Mark Knight and many more.
Hosted Three Biggest DJs
Tiesto, Armin van Buuren and Paul Van Dyk - those were three of the most wanted names in 2009 and they have all performed at Papaya club in the same season. That was the first time that a club hosted top 3 DJs according to DJ MAG's list of Top 100 DJs.
2008
AUGUST 2008
Main Stage and VIP area
Papaya got a new Main Stage over the Main Dance Arena and turned the upper level of the club into a big VIP area with the best view towards the stage and lots of sitting tables.
Interest of BBC Radio 1 and DJ MAG
World media such as BBC Radio 1 and DJ MAG started mentioning Papaya club and Zrce beach as the new top party destination.
JULY 2008
DJ Tiesto at Papaya
DJ Tiesto, the #1 DJ of the world in 2008, performed at Papaya club in front of a massive crowd of 5000 people. That year the club was visited by people from over 30 countries.
2007
AUGUST 2007
Interest of the Media
From the year 2007, the media started to write about Papaya club and mention it as the top new holiday destination. They referred to the club and Zrce beach as the "The hottest beach in Croatia", "Croatia's super club", "Croatia's best kept secret" etc.
JULY 2007
Main Dance Arena
Shapeshifters and Freemasons performed at Papaya's newly opened expanded Main Dance Arena. The primary reason for the expansion was the club's need of a larger space to support a lot more people as it became more popular and visited. Famous DJ appearances attracted a large number of visitors from all over the world.
2006
JULY 2006
RNB Confusion Sundays
Papaya club hosted several famous club programs such as RNB Confusion, a very popular r'n'b, hip-hop, soul and funky music genre program. RNB Confusion parties were held every Sunday for the whole season.
2005
JULY 2005
Papaya's Music Compilation
Papaya club released its first Papaya Day&Night music compilation and it was a huge success on a major Croatian radio.
First DJ Appearance
For the first time Papaya club hosted a big DJ name - Marshall Jefferson, the Godfather of house music. Marshall performed at the opening of the first edition of Papaya's Day&Night Summer Festival.
Papaya Day&Night Festival
Papaya Day&Night Summer Festival was the club's first festival and also the first festival ever held in Croatia. It lasted for 7 days and its main and new feature was, as the name says, parties during both day and night. The festival was an instant hit and Papaya club has continued organizing the Day&Night festival in the beginning of every season ever since.
2003
JULY 2003
Growing Popularity
In 2003, Papaya attracted a large number of visitors mainly from Croatia and Slovenia. The people were starting to get more and more familiar with the after beach party concept - it became much more crowded and popular.
2002
JULY 2002
First After Beach Party in Croatia
The concept of the After beach party as we know it today was one of Papaya club's main features from the very beginning. Not only was it the first after beach party organized at Zrce beach, but Papaya was also the first club to organize it in Croatia.
Papaya club Opening
Papaya club opened its door in year 2002. At that time, it was made out of stone and wood and was built around a big waterslide. One fifth of the space that Papaya club venue contains today was once just a waterslide site of Zrce beach. Papaya was the second club built on Zrce beach, the first one was Kalypso. That season the club was visited mostly by locals.
