The past year has been more about independent party series and less about the clubs, with closures like Butter Factory, Zirca, Play and most recently Refuge. Even Zouk Singapore was under the threat of shutting down because of lease issues. This year in particular, we saw quite number of block parties dotting the central areas of Singapore. Keong Saik was transformed into a carnival with drumming performances and public street salsa lessons and more, while Armenian Street threw their own version of a block party during the Singapore Night Festival, and so much more.
But amidst all the great vibes, and delicious food and drinks that come along with the block parties, the pendulum seems to be shifting back towards the clubs. There have been a few clubs opening in and around the town area. Could Singapore be seeing a resurgence of proper clubs reining our burgeoning nightlife once again? We can’t be too sure, but you might want to check these new haunts in town.
Cherry Discotheque Singapore
This mysterious and intimate new joint down on the fringes of Orchard Road (more specifically, Mount Elizabeth) recently had its grand opening earlier this month. Staying true to their underground DNA, they’re sticking to the hip-hop genre and pulling in notable names like three-times DMC World Champion DJ Craze and regulars like Drem and Rattle onto their roster. This industrial-looking space is only open on Fridays and Saturdays and is littered with vintage arcade games, neon lights and other features that add to this cool night spot. 21 Mount Elizabeth.
Penthouse
Besides the F&B establishments that have popped up at South Beach, there’s also a new glamorous nightlife spot, adding on to Singapore’s already vibrant nightlife scene. Operated by Massive Collective, the same guys who run Bang Bang, Suite and Armoury, Penthouse promises a debaucherous night of partying. They’ve just had their soft launch two weekends ago—an Ultra after-party with DJ Tinc on deck duties, and a three-day Race Weekend, featuring female DJs from Jakarta, KL and of course, Singapore. Look out for more updates here. 36 Beach Rd.
Space Club
Taking up grounds of where Trace was, Space occupies the 3000 sq ft area on Magazine Road, an area that’s just outside of Clarke Quay. Apart from the lasers and high resolution LED wall that stands behind the DJ console, the organizers will be throwing monthly themed parties because, who doesn’t like to dress up once in a while? So far, they’ve had school-themed nights where partygoers dressed in school uniforms get a complimentary bottle of vodka, a Pokemon-themed night, complete with Pikachu plushies spotted all over the club, and more. They even go all out by decorating the entire club according to the theme, and run contests and giveaways to really engage their patrons. #01-03, 5 Magazine Rd.
VLV
More than just a club, VLV combines that with a modern Chinese restaurant, a riverside dining area and an al fresco courtyard bar for a multi-faceted entertainment destination that span across 20,000 sq ft, similar to what The Clinic complex at The Cannery was back in 2006. Just like the many other F&B tenants along the Singapore River, VLV is housed in a historic building that was built back in the 1880s. The restaurant front will be serving more than 60 Chinese delicacies with a Cantonese slant, prepared by executive chef Martin Foo. The posh looking club lounge boasts VIP booths that’s fitted with luxe leather, a dancefloor with bars on both ends and a Pioneer Pro audio sound system. #01-02, 3A Merchant’s Court, River Valley Rd.
Zouk Singapore
So, it’s finally happening. After 25 years of hosting some of the city’s best parties and being a part of every Singaporean 18-year-old’s rite of passage into legality, Zouk will be leaving its refurbished warehouse home on Jiak Kim and march on to a 30,000 sq ft space on Block C at The Cannery. While we’re excited that there’ll be (hopefully) more breathing space within the complex, we remain cautiously optimistic. There’s no concrete date on when they’ll actually be moving so keep your dancing shoes on while you can at Jiak Kim. 17 Jiak Kim St.
