Key Takeaways
- Aloki Batra, CEO of The Pacha Group, expressed immense joy during the club's opening night.
- The event saw 5,000 people on the dance floor celebrating as the New York Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years.
- Pacha New York replaces the Brooklyn Mirage after a decade-long run and significant changes.
Aloki Batra, CEO of The Pacha Group, expressed immense joy during the grand opening of Pacha New York on June 13. Speaking to Billboard, he said, 'I don’t think I could have had a happier moment in my life.'
The event was marked by a historic victory for the New York Knicks as they won their first NBA title in 53 years. The crowd of 5,000 people on the dance floor celebrated with enthusiasm, watching the game on a massive screen that hugged the club’s dancefloor.
Batra's relief and happiness were palpable, especially after the venue had faced significant challenges over the past year. The Brooklyn Mirage, which operated at the same location for more than a decade, struggled due to construction permitting issues and eventually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August 2025.
The Pacha Group, known for its Ibiza club that has been operating since 1973, was acquired by Dubai-based FIVE Holdings in 2023. The deal was worth $330 million and marked a significant shift in the brand's global strategy. After acquiring the group, Batra and his team focused on elevating the Ibiza flagship and quietly began eyeing new markets.
New York was at the top of their list due to its potential for controlling the brand narrative and experience fully. The Mirage deal provided an opportunity to take over a venue that could support this vision. 'We were looking for opportunities where we control the brand narrative and the brand experience totally, including production, sound, hospitality, operation, security, marketing, etc…' Batra explained.
The opening night was not just about the basketball game but also about celebrating the new chapter of Pacha New York. The club welcomed legendary DJ Danny Tenaglia, who played Frank Sinatra’s 'Theme From New York, New York,' as the crowd cheered and danced to the music.
Batra's positive outlook on the opening night was a testament to his confidence in the brand's future. He stated, 'One could reasonably consider it a sort of spell-breaking affair, the rainbow at the end of the storm that had hung over the venue’s site over the last year.'
With this successful launch, Pacha New York is poised to become a significant player in the New York nightlife scene, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Brooklyn Mirage.
'I don’t think I could have had a happier moment in my life.'
Aloki Batra, CEO of The Pacha Group
'One could reasonably consider it a sort of spell-breaking affair, the rainbow at the end of the storm that had hung over the venue’s site over the last year.'
Aloki Batra, CEO of The Pacha Group
