Big bucks in big beats

pfm often fantasizes about sneaking into firms’ annual limited partner meetings. The champagne. The leisurely rounds of golf. Staying up into the small hours locked in a tête-à-tête with the highest of private funds society.

There’s already plenty of industry folklore about which firms hold the biggest, brashest bashes. (Word on the street is Carlyle’s is the industry’s answer to Burning Man – thanks to PE Hub for that one).

LPs in Trilantic Europe’s funds must be getting their hopes up for a wild one this year after it was announced the firm has taken a stake in the legendary nightclub and hotel group Pacha.

Also invited to Trilantic’s party (okay, to co-invest) were MCH Private Equity, GPF Capital and some of its own LPs. The consortium has acquired a shareholding from the founding Urgell family and wants to spread the love (okay, back expansion plans).

Pacha traces its roots to the 1960s when it opened its first nightclub in the Catelonian city of Sitges. The brand has spread across the world, and now has a range of high-end dance spots, hotels and restaurants.

Its venue on the Spanish island – and clubbing paradise – Ibiza attracts some of the top names in dance music (not to mention A-list clientele), and a standard ticket costs up to €130.

pfm can just imagine prestigious investors arriving at the idyllic island by seaplane to be handed goodie bag filled with glow sticks and temporary tattoos… and portfolio company ESG case studies.

The transaction is expected to close by April, in time for the reveling season to kick off in May. Start packing your glad-rags