Since its inception in 1991, Zouk Singapore has consistently been recognized as a world-class nightlife venue.
According to DJ Mag's annual Top 100 Clubs poll, the Singapore club was ranked fifth in the world last year.
However, party-goers have not been able to visit the award-winning nightclub since the end of March as the government took measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.
While the entertainment giant was quick to innovate and invent alternative sources of income, the business is likely not up to pre-Covid standards.
Last month the Zouk Group was sold to the Malaysian company Tulipa for S $ 14 million. It was a move by Zouk's parent company Genting Hong Kong (GHK) to generate liquidity.
Despite the acquisition, Zouk's operations in Singapore have remained the status quo so far, and another innovative measure has been developed – the establishment of spin courses.
A collaboration with Absolute Cycle
A spin class on Absolute Cycle / Image Credit: Absolute Cycle on Facebook
To the unfamiliar, spin courses are rigorous training done indoors on a stationary bike.
It's usually paired with adrenaline-pumping music and beats, and some have even compared the workout to a clubbing experience.
So it seems fitting that Zouk partnered with the Absolute Cycle gym to run spin classes on their dance floor.
Absolute Cycle is Asia's largest boutique gym with 13 studios in Singapore and Thailand. Yesterday (October 8th) she announced on her Instagram page that a collaboration with Zouk is on the agenda.
The gym also mentioned that more details about the collaboration would be revealed later.
For now, fitness enthusiasts have to be satisfied with various teasers on Instagram and the promise that it will be "an experience like no other".
Even if it cannot replace clubbing for some, training on the dance floor in the Zouk is certainly a heartbreaking experience.
Not only did Zouk open his doors to Rhythm cycling studio, but he has also taken other measures beforehand to increase sales.
Zouk's efforts to weather the pandemic
Zouk's Capital Kitchen / Photo Credit: Singapore Tatler
In March, Zouk partnered with gaming giant Razer to bring clubbing into individuals' homes.
The initiative was touted as the "first cloud clubbing experience in Southeast Asia," with Zouk's resident DJs playing at the club and streamed live on Razer's Bigo channel.
It later also turned its around by turning its empty dance floors into a pop-up restaurant called Capital Kitchen to ensure a steady stream of customers.
Among the many things that started this global pandemic, it has changed the way consumers connect and interact with one another.
With the clubs closed for the foreseeable future, it was critical for us to change our business model so that we can evolve in the current climate and continue to innovate and develop new product and revenue streams that will continue to thrive beyond the pandemic.
Andrew Li, CEO of the Zouk Group on the launch of Capital Kitchen
According to the Zouk website, the Zouk shop was also recently opened, selling items from Zouk merchandise to bottle cocktails and grocery deliveries.
Education Secretary Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the state's task force to combat Covid-19, recently announced that the government may release plans to lead Singapore through Phase 3 of reopening the economy.
While capacity will increase in cinemas and wedding receptions, it is unclear whether this will also apply to clubs.
Although some industries have emerged as winners from the Covid-19 pandemic, the nightlife in Singapore is definitely not one and institutions like Zouk are constantly having to take new measures to stay afloat.
Selected image source: Shape Singapore / SG Magazine