The Singapore entertainment scene is witnessing an exciting evolution. Hotspots like Bae’s Cocktail Club and C.O.T.U. (Centre Of The Universe) are leading the charge, providing new flavours in addition to the existing mega players of the Asian market that most partygoers are familiar with.
As the nightlife landscape continues to shift, these venues are not just about offering premium experiences. They are part of a broader trend of market consolidation in entertainment.
Breathing Renewed Spirits into Singapore’s Nightlife
Bae’s Cocktail Club, an ultra-exclusive venue, and C.O.T.U., a dynamic lifestyle and nightlife destination, are setting standards for entertainment in Singapore. With founders who are veterans of the industry—such as Phillip Poon and Cedric Chong of Massive Collective, Cher Ng of Zouk Kuala Lumpur fame, alongside Sarissa and Joshua Schwartz who founded Pangaea and Lulu’s Lounge, as well as Mikey M.S of Attica—these venues are poised to redefine the nightlife experience. They are perfect examples of how consolidation can lead to innovation and elevate the entire market.
Market Consolidation’s Role in the Rise of Elite Venues
As competition intensifies in the entertainment world, market consolidation has become a key strategy for survival and enhanced growth. Major players are merging, acquiring, or partnering with others to create a more unified and powerful presence.
Bae’s Cocktail Club and C.O.T.U. embody this trend by bringing together a powerhouse of talent and resources. Their founders, who have already proven their expertise in creating iconic nightlife venues, are now pooling their skills to create groundbreaking concepts. This consolidation allows them to offer more than just a night out—they provide an all-encompassing experience, combining luxury, entertainment and lifestyle in one package.
For instance, Bae’s Cocktail Club, or Bae’s (Korean for Girlfriend), by founders of the same generation, who are bright-eyed, in their thirties, embody the ‘Hypebeast‘ culture, hence the cultural slang are led by Leong Sheen Jet of The Proper Concepts Collective. Mr Leong has invited four other co-founders on this journey.
One who runs a design agency (Benjamin Aryanto), another that specialises in alcohol distribution (Dharma Wang), a boutique talent management start-up co-owner (Tora Widjaja), as well as an overlap of the two founders that run a collective of food & beverage outlets (Vijay Mudaliar) – Bae’s Cocktail Club offers an intimate, exclusive atmosphere that appeals to discerning clientele; whilst C.O.T.U. pushes the boundaries with a multi-sensory experience that caters to both nightlife enthusiasts and lifestyle seekers.
Set to open in November at CapitaGreen after the announcement on its launch earlier in June, C.O.T.U. is a sprawling 18,000-square-foot venue combining work, dining and play. The multi-level space offers a variety of experiences, from the experiential cocktail bar Little Birdie to the modern Japanese steakhouse Enso, and the live entertainment cocktail bar Whisper Room. For those seeking a high-energy nightlife experience, Dashi Go Go caters to the Neo-Tokyo aesthetic, while the Dashi Sky Pool offers a luxurious outdoor escape with stunning city views. With its blend of sophistication and excitement, C.O.T.U. aims to be a game-changer in Asia’s entertainment scene.
Nestled at 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, Bae’s Cocktail Club caters to those looking to seamlessly transition from dinner to cocktails to dancing, all in one place. It’s designed with the 20s and 30s crowd in mind, solving the common dilemma of finding a spot that stays open late while offering both quality drinks and a lively atmosphere. With a mix of international flavors and Korean flair in both the food and drinks, patrons can expect innovative cocktails like the Makgeolli Colada Slushie and dishes such as the chilli crab tteokbokki. The club also features state-of-the-art DJ entertainment, making it an ideal spot to dance the night away till wee hours in the morning.
What Target Audience Look Out For
In this rapidly consolidating market, venues like Bae’s Cocktail Club and C.O.T.U. stand out for their ability to offer unique and memorable experiences. Their focus on high-quality service, cutting-edge design and exclusive access makes the venues attractive to both locals and tourists seeking top-tier entertainment. Additionally, the backing of experienced founders ensures that these venues are well-positioned to thrive in Singapore’s competitive nightlife scene.
Guests can expect curated events, premium cocktails and a lively ambiance that resonates with the city’s cosmopolitan vibe. As consolidation in the entertainment industry continues to shape the market, these venues are likely to set the standard for others to follow, offering more than just a night out but an unforgettable journey into the heart of Singapore’s nightlife.
The Climate for Entertainment
The entertainment climate in Singapore is increasingly leaning towards sophistication and exclusivity. With market consolidation, the competition has intensified, pushing venues to continuously innovate and elevate their offerings. This has led to a thriving nightlife scene where only the best survive and cater to the discerning tastes of their clientele. Bae’s Cocktail Club and C.O.T.U. are at the forefront of this evolution, ready to captivate the market.
Featured image: Enso Steakhouse (C.O.T.U.); image within text, with C.O.T.U.’s founders: L-R: Phillip Poon, Cher Ng, Joshua Schwartz, Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz, Mikey M.S, Cedric Chong.
