You're standing on the tropical-wood deck, the boards suspended a few metres above the rocky shore, and the sound of the sea rises from below – as if the water is breathing right beneath you. Palma Bay opens up ahead of you all the way to the Tramuntana; yachts glide out from Puerto Portals to the left, a motorboat cuts circles to the right. The Crystal Deck at Mood Beach Club earned its name: you sat here like the bow of a luxury liner – sea breeze in your face, horizon wide open.
Concept
Since opening in 2008, Mood Beach Club at kilometre 11 of the Ma-1 stood for something rare in this coastal league: uncompromised sea views, serious gastronomy – and free entry. No minimum spend, no door ritual. If you passed by, you could explore the premises, take in the view, and then decide whether to stay. That made it more democratic than most competitors along the southwest cape, without sacrificing quality.
Atmosphere & Setting
Two worlds, clearly separated: upstairs the **Crystal Deck Restaurant** – elegant, candlelit by evening, Mediterranean with an Asian touch. Downstairs the **Beach Sports Bar** on the sundeck – open sea breeze, thatched roof, light bites for a beach day. Between them a swimming pool with a panoramic view over the bay, a wellness zone, a pool bar and a separate sunlounger retreat away from the restaurant.
Anyone who compared the beach clubs of the southwest agreed: smaller than Puro Beach Club, quieter, more personal. No crowds. Service that actually comes to you. For groups, tables could be flexibly arranged for six, eight or more; the Crystal Deck was also a setting for weddings and corporate events.
Food & Drinks
The kitchen was no afterthought – it was an argument in its own right. Fresh fish was the centrepiece; everything from soups and salads to desserts was made from scratch in-house. The Mediterranean-Asian signature of the Crystal Deck meant precisely that: classic seafood with considered Asian touches – no tourist fusion. On Sunday lunchtimes there was a traditional English Sunday Lunch; afternoons brought English Afternoon Tea – a nod to the loyal British clientele who had made it their regular.
In the off-season, the daily-changing Menú del Día was one of the best lunch options on the southwest coast: quality cooking at a price point that was genuinely remarkable for a venue of this calibre on the island.
The Anniversary Party: The Event of High Summer
Once every high summer the club became the island's main talking point. The annual anniversary party was a spectacle of the old school: a reception by "angels on horseback", Blue Hawaiian cocktails with a coconut-flake rim, a luxury buffet and BBQ – and as the centrepiece, the performers of Mallorca legend **Son Amar** brought their own cabaret show. A contortionist, an ABBA medley, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and flamenco – all in one night. The party for the ninth anniversary set the benchmark. Pop star **Rita Ora** was spotted among the guests.
Who It Was For & Occasions
Rooted primarily in the British expat and holiday community, but never exclusive: families, couples, groups and singles all came equally – events were deliberately designed for every type of guest. Anyone wanting a quiet day by the sea with good food found the right setting here, without the noise of the larger clubs.
Insider Tip
Free entry was no marketing gimmick but a philosophy: look first, then decide. The winter Menú del Día was an open secret among regulars – quality cooking at a price that was, for this coastal location, simply exceptional value.
**Note:** Mood Beach Club has closed. The Umami Group now operates **UM Beach House Portals** at the exact same site – Carretera de Andratx km 11, Costa d'en Blanes.
