Yalta (nightclub)

Yalta Club (Bulgarian: Ялта) is a nightclub in Sofia, Bulgaria. It was ranked among the Top 100 Clubs by DJ Mag in its annual rankings in 2009 and 2010.^[1][2] Yalta is located next to Sofia University in the downtown area of the city. In 2011 Yalta club has been ranked on 19th place and a year after the club reached 12th place.^[3]

History

Yalta has a historical significance in the emergence of a strong electronic music community in Bulgaria. It opened in 1959 and in 1989 it started to play electronic music. In 1992, Yalta achieved another milestone by inviting the first DJ from abroad to a Bulgarian club.^[4] In 2009, DJ Magazine recognized the club by listing it for the first time in its Top 100 Clubs ranking.^[5] In 2005 the club opened its door with new look and concept. The first thing that can be notices about Yalta is that everything around you is part of one concept: the furniture, the lights, the sound system and even the incomparable view outside. The wild rhythm of Sofia outside the windows completes the tranquillity and minimalist comfort of the club, the result – a place in Sofia like no other. The idea is to feel as if you have been invited to a private party in a big, beautifully furnished apartment. The space is used in such manner, that it provokes everyone to take part in the party. For many Bulgarians, Yalta Club is where it all started. Since, it has established itself as a dependable hub for all things electronic, with a particular fascination with trance and commercial house. Aside from big-name bookings, it's Yalta Club's engagement with technology and design that sets it apart from Eastern Europe's other major venues. With a minimalist design and a vibe that, according to the club's mission statement, is like "a private party in a big, beautifully furnished apartment", Yalta Club is made up of three areas - The White Room, Make-Up Zone and The Black Room - with various lasers and an LED system that offers enough colour variations to turn a chameleon green with envy (16,000 in total). The icing on the cake, however, is the crystal-clear soundsystem dominated by the likes of Paul Oakenfold, Roger Sanchez and Victor Calderone just last summer.

Notable DJ guests and residents

Since its reorganization into an electronic music club in 1989, Yalta has been a host to a number of world-renowned DJs including Victor Calderone, Timo Maas, Roger Sanchez, Hernan Cattaneo, Laurent Garnier, Danny Tenaglia, Sander Kleinenberg, Axwell, Eric Prydz, Martin Solveig, Markus Schulz and Paul Oakenfold.^[6][7] In addition, Yalta has helped many Bulgarian musicians and DJs to launch their careers.^[8]

Other

Not content with running the best electronic music club in Bulgaria (and most likely whole Eastern Europe), the Yalta crew is also responsible for the Solar Summer Festival, which takes place every summer at Cacao Beach/Sunny Beach and brings international big hitters like Tiësto, Dubfire, Fedde Le Grand and Armin Van Buuren. In addition since the opening of sports hall Armeets Arena Yalta holds Christmas and Easter parties in the venue (Solar Christmas 2011 on December 25 (with Mark Knight), Solar Easter 2012 on April 13, Solar Christmas 2012 on December 21st (with Fedde le Grand) and helped organize the first A State Of Trance event - ASOT600, in Bulgaria which will be held in Armeets Arena on March 8, 2013)

References

External links

• Yalta Club official website
• Yalta Club at the DJ Mag website