Club La Vela named to Top 100 in the world

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Club La Vela has been named one of the top 100 world’s best nightclubs by an international trade organization.

The Barcelona-based International Nightlife Association ranked the Thomas Drive “super-club” as No. 87 on its 2016 “Top 100 World’s Best Clubs” list. Now the club hopes it can continue being recognized as a top party spot even though thousands of spring breakers have decided to go elsewhere after the city and county passed laws to tone down the celebration.

According to its website, the International Nightlife Association was created in 2012 “as an international platform willing to improve the nightlife entrepreneur image and consolidate international regulations.” The 10,000-member association, part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, included Club La Vela on the list because of its “excellence in perfecting the nightlife craft of safety, efficiency and generating revenue for one’s venue and area.”

“This is an amazing honor and tremendous exposure for Panama City,” said Neil Knight, director of marketing and entertainment for Club La Vela. “Honestly, think about it. Think about all the clubs in Florida alone. Then think of all the clubs in the country. And then think of all the clubs in the world.”

He said Club La Vela beat out clubs in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, France, Australia and Italy.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Knight said the award had nothing to do with Spring Break directly, but the verdict is still out as to whether the club will be able to continue to use the same business model and bring in the same acts in the wake of the lost Spring Break business. Super-clubs like La Vela saw a drastic reduction in business after spring breakers chose other locations to party in the wake of laws such as one banning drinking on the sandy beach in March.

“We did have a good summer,” he said, though not good enough to make up for the lost Spring Break business.

The Tourist Development Council recently learned hotel and condo reservations to date are down 44 percent for this March compared to the same time last year. Knight said he hopes Club La Vela can continue to be recognized as a world-class club despite the recent challenges.