Exclusivity is the name of the game for the 2011 Singapore party scene. While mega-clubs catering to the masses once dominated the nightlife landscape, smaller venues catering to a more exclusive clientele are now taking their turn in the spotlight.
Following the launch of Filter Members Club and Royal Room, next in line to vye for the attention of discerning Singapore party-goers is the world famous Pangaea lounge, which opened its doors (and put out its velvet rope) on 22 September 2011. We already hear sighs of relief from those tired of jostling for space with army boys and underage-looking kids at the big clubs.
What: Helmed by club mogul Michael Ault, whose 30-plus years of club operation experience and promotional prowess has earned him the nickname of "International King of Clubs", Pangaea Singapore is set to bring a decidedly different party experience to the jaded party-goers.
You won't find any discotheque business here, Pangaea runs with the "ultra-lounge" concept, offering a more intimate ambience and personalised service. Naturally, expect also a strict door policy.
The look: True to its exclusive nature, Pangaea is just about 560 square metres, and although far from small, the space is about one-third of the size of its neighbour, Avalon.
Like Pangaea's international counterparts, the club exhibits a distinctly safari-like vibe. Banquettes done in exotic materials, including ostrich and crocodile skin, are spread throughout the space, and specially designed fittings and furnishings adorn the room. The 20,000-glass bulb ceiling completes the look.
"It's hard to convince people to leave their homes if where they're going isn't as nice," Ault tells The Business Times. "So, that's the atmosphere we intend to achieve right here at Pangaea. It's sophisticated, and the service will be spectacular; it looks as nice as people's high-end homes. In fact, it's nicer than most homes and intimate enough for our guests to feel like they're at a friend's home."
The custom-made dance tiers within each banquette live up to the lounge promise that "every inch of Pangaea is literally meant to be danced on". No wonder a journalist recently got strange looks from the staff when she asked where the dance floor was. Point taken.
PR speak: The Pangaea Group's ultra-lounges around the world already count A-listers like Madonna, Sting and Mick Jagger as regulars, and the company hopes to bring that momentum to Singapore, a city that has historically not had the same luxe appeal as other parts of the region.
Ault considers Pangaea Singapore as his biggest nightclub venture yet.
"This has been a two-year project in the making," he notes. "There is no doubt that this will be the pinnacle of my professional efforts in my 30-plus year career."
Drinks: An extensive bottle menu is comprised of the standard offerings as well as a wide variety of Champagne, which includes more exclusive labels like Cristal and Veuve Cliquot. Drink prices match the door policy, with prices starting at S$18 for a glass of Absolut vodka, and go up to S$9,000 for a bottle of Courvoisier L'Essence de Courvoisier.
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Expected crowd: With tables starting at S$1,500, a cover charge of S$40 and a strict door policy, Pangaea may be the first club in Singapore to actually live up to expectations of true exclusivity. Let's just hope that it'd be able to consistently draw a pool of regulars with deep pockets.
Pangaea (Singapore), 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B2-05, Marina Bay Sands, open Thursday-Saturday, 10pm to late, +65 8611 7013 (VIP table bookings), info@pangaea.sg, www.pangaea.sg