The people behind the SPRMRKT brand of eateries, The Supermarket Company, have closed their original Telok Ayer dining and grocer concept, but in its place on 2 McCallum Street now stands their latest brainchild, the Telok Ayer Arts Club.
In a departure from their restaurants (SPRMRKT at Cluny Court and SPRMRKT at STPI remains), this new space is a multi-use concept meant to be their take on a heartland neighborhood staple, the community centre. While not inhabiting quite as large a space enjoyed by most CCs, you’ll find a range of activities to engage in, events to check out, and a F&B area for dining and tipples.
An exhibition area will be regularly filled with art programming by curators Anmari Van Nieuwenhove and Kamiliah Bahdar, alongside input by music director Hasnor Sidik and The Supermarket Company founder Sue-Shan Quek. This means you shouldn’t expect your usual art gallery exhibitions, but rather, a mash of disciplines including art, music, culinary and mixology rolled into one complete act.
The kitchen, helmed by Head Chef Bertram Leong, offers fusion cuisine like Tomatoes & Tofu ($14), Seafood Fettuccine ($25) and Locally-Bred Spatchcock ($28). Over at the bar, beverage manager Din Hassan concocts a menu of Southeast Asian-inspired cocktails and reinvented classics. As the art programming changes, so will the food and drink menus.
In line with their opening, the Telok Ayer Arts Club will be holding their inaugural show, in-inhabitations, a seven-week site-specific commentary by artist Abigail Goh that takes place from Aug 29 to Oct 23, where she’ll observe and document the venue’s transition from rubble to what it is today. See her in action every Tuesday from Sep 4 to Oct 9, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, as she builds on her work live.
A line-up of events are already slated—there’s a one-night musical discourse on failure and experimentation on Sep 11 by local artist Ruben Pang, and DJ Fort Romeau set to spin up the night on Nov 16 to kick-off the first instalment of the arts club’s regular intimate dance night, Kelab Malam. We can’t wait to see what’ll come up next.
Telok Ayer Arts Club opens Mon-Sat 11am-11pm at 2 McCallum St.
