20 Years of Ritzi Bar in Puerto Portals: Glamour, Music and Old Friendships

A harbor, a bar, two decades

It was one of those evenings when you think: "Just being there is enough." Around 10 p.m. the terrace of the Ritzi Bar at the marina slowly filled up, later quickly. Sparkling champagne, a little fireworks in the VIP box and people meeting in familiar groups — that was the 20th anniversary.

The hosts and their guests

Owner Andi Baader and manager Franziska Gebert appeared relaxed and experienced, as if they'd lived through such nights a thousand times. "We wanted to say thank you," Andi murmured between greetings. Franziska cheerfully passed the glasses around and even made sure one or two visitors didn't fall asleep on the way home: "We even see guests safely into taxis," she said laughing.

Among the well-wishers mixed the well-known real estate figure, Marcel Remus, and there were familiar faces from art, media and sport — people you see here more often than in the supermarket. Actor John Friedmann admitted that he usually prefers his own neighborhood, but he made an exception for Ritzi.

Music, dancing and little scenes

The music that evening was danceable, not too loud, but loud enough to make you want to get up. Between balloons and cake pops guests danced, some with sangria, others with champagne. In the back corner they handled large magnum bottles, where the boxes are and the fireworks briefly reflected on the harbor water.

There were moments of lightness: an elderly couple quietly laughing, a gallery owner calling herself "a party girl again tonight", and conversations ranging from last summer's holiday to new projects. And of course: the usual bit of secrecy. "What happens at Ritzi stays at Ritzi" — I heard that several times.

Short stories on the side

A man who had recently lost a watch showed up without his arm jewelry, but with a broad grin. Another couple was introduced as the new scene power couple: former racing driver Christian Abt with a singer he only introduced by her stage name. Between small talk and toasting, much felt familiar, almost familial.

Famous faces often remain anonymous here, and guests appreciate that. A cosmetic doctor who recognized many familiar faces nevertheless refused to name anyone: privacy is highly valued on such evenings.

Why Ritzi still attracts

Puerto Portals has that light touch of luxury that doesn't always want to appear showy. Ritzi is a place where you dress smartly but not costume. It is a meeting place for people who have known the island for a long time, and for newcomers who want to belong. Two decades here means many nights, many stories and a core of guests who have stayed.

Around 4 a.m. it became clear that the party has its own pace: young faces, laughing, tired, euphoric — and the staff, who routinely served one last drink. The harbor did not sleep, it only stopped sparkling for a moment.

Whether you like Ritzi or not — that night it was obvious: the bar belongs to Puerto Portals like the buoys belong to the jetty. A place where people meet to celebrate successes, to reunite and sometimes simply to be seen.