Phuture features 10 dynamic lighting fixtures, three LED panels, and a portable projection system for presentations and events. Photo Credit: Zouk Singapore
Zouk, Singapore’s longest-running nightclub, has completed its redevelopment into a day-to-night venue, significantly enhancing its MICE-hosting capabilities.
Before its latest S$6 million (US$4.6 million) revitalisation, the nightclub had a total structural refresh in December 2016, when it relocated from its original home on Jiak Kim Street since 1991, to its current location in Singapore’s nightlife hub of Clarke Quay.
MICE at the centre of day-to-night venue transformation
More than a facelift, the most recent revamp marked Zouk Singapore’s first concerted foray into the MICE space.
The nightclub group had MICE in mind, recognising the “growing demand for unconventional venues that can host conferences, product launches, networking events, gala dinners and brand experiences”, said Andrew Li, CEO of Zouk Group.
“Many organisers are looking for venues that offer flexibility, strong technical capabilities and a distinctive environment beyond a traditional hotel ballroom."
As nightlife businesses in the city diversify to cope with new partygoing behaviours, Zouk is intentional about becoming a day-to-night venue that caters to corporate and private events in the day, before “transitioning back into [its] core entertainment offering” after dark.
Related: Zouk Singapore eyes MICE in diversification revamp | Meetings & Conventions Asia
Moveable walls
One of the biggest steps it has taken towards capturing more MICE opportunities is the replacement of fixed audio partitions with moveable acoustic walls separating Zouk Mainroom, Phuture and Capital.
This allows Zouk to configure the venue to suit the event, “rather than expecting the event to fit the venue”, said Li.
The installation of moveable walls has given Zouk “much greater flexibility” to cater to a wide range of event sizes and formats.
How versatile are we talking?
Where club venues have more commonly been used for networking receptions, private functions or product launches, Zouk’s upgrade appears to have unlocked possibilities across the MICE gamut – all the way up to large-scale conferences and exhibitions.
At its largest configuration, the various venues can be combined into one integrated venue with capacity for up to 3,500 guests.
Clients can book a single venue for an intimate event, combine two venues for a larger function, or utilise the entire footprint for conferences, exhibitions or large-scale celebrations, Li said.
On the other end of the spectrum, boardroom-style presentations are also a possibility after Zouk Singapolre’s redevelopment.
Breakouts and concurrent events
The flexibility goes beyond being able to accommodate different event sizes.
With improved acoustic separation and modular venue design, Zouk Singapore now has more ways to cater to multiple concurrent events.
Organisers are also able to plan conferences with breakout components, VIP receptions, networking areas or parallel programmes – all within the club venue.
On its own, Capital spans 640sqm and can accommodate as many as 600 guests.
Phuture has 280sqm of event space for up to 350 guests. Besides its two full bars, it also offers 10 dynamic lighting fixtures, three LED panels, and a portable projection system for presentations and events.
Catering
The redevelopment also introduced a new production kitchen, allowing Zouk Singapore to cater to significantly larger groups entirely in-house.
Previously, catering options were more limited and larger-scale events often relied on external arrangements.
“Today, clients have access to a broader range of in-house catering options across different event formats, while retaining flexibility to discuss alternative catering solutions where appropriate,” Li said.
Night galas in a nightclub?
While corporate galas and evening mixers are among the events that Zouk Singapore is open to hosting, there remains the question of how late such evening events can run. It may be an interesting experience when hundreds of corporate guests stream out of Capital at 10pm on a Wednesday, right as partygoers are rocking up to Phuture and Zouk Mainroom.
One thing’s for sure. The improved acoustic separation and modular venue design means that set-up and wind-up in neighbouring venues can more easily overlap.
“Depending on the event schedule and venue configuration, certain spaces can be prepared independently, allowing us to better manage transitions between daytime corporate programming and evening entertainment,” Li said.
Nightclub corporate events taking off?
While it is still early following the relaunch in June, Li said the venue is “encouraged by the level of interest we’ve seen from brands and event organisers”.
“The response so far reinforces what we hoped to achieve through the redevelopment – creating a venue that's equally suited to business events, entertainment and cultural experiences.”