An exquisite Russian palace – resplendent in its gold-gilded glory – sits at the far corner of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, hidden from the public except for a privileged few on its selective member list. A new addition to our flourishing party landscape, the by invite-only Dom Lounge may be situated close to nightspots like Spider Room, Avalon, Pangaea and Ku Dé Ta, but don’t expect it to blend in with the rest; in fact, it’s a decadent experience that’s glitzier than anything you’ve ever come across here – and it’s open both night and day.
Overlooking the picturesque Singapore river, the $3 million two-storey lounge features an extravagant interior décor made up of velvety red drapes, glittering chandeliers, plush armchairs and paintings on the ceilings – all influenced by early 19th century Russian Renaissance. It’s quite the opposite of its name – which means ‘home’ in Russian – unless you live like royalty.
Singaporean owners Lee Jia Jun, 25 – who used to run Arena, supperclub (now closed) and Soul (now called Club Embassy) after starting out as a club promoter – and Andrew Carver, 29 – whose past work includes heading up talent and artist management agencies, as well as organising corporate events and fashion shows – are no strangers to the entertainment and nightlife scene.
They’re already drawing in crowds easily to fill up the 17-table, 200-capacity space simply by word-of-mouth, with their contacts and friends on the members list. To them, Dom Lounge resembles a small, intimate living room with a cosy, communal feel ideal for close interaction, much like a ‘second home, but a very luxurious one’.
‘We wanted something a bit different from everything else in Singapore, so the idea originally came from pre-communist Russia, where everything was quite ostentatious,’ Carver explained. ‘The word “dom” also has a lot of connotations with things like Dom Pérignon and a lot of high society words, so we thought “dom” really made it feel like home.’
With Russian culture still relatively unfamiliar to Singaporeans, there’s a definite draw to this place. Fashioned by both Lee and Carver, who hired an interior designer to breathe life into their ideas, the start-up process took more than a year, from sketching out designs to scouring locations to hiring staff.
Not yet open to the public – other than a private preview party in December of last year – the lounge is aiming for an official launch sometime after Chinese New Year, after which the public can grab spots on the coveted member list (up to the owners’ discretion), with a minimum spend of $50.
Putting an emphasis on high-quality service and premium liquor choices – a bottle averages $300 (for Dom Pérignon and Grey Goose) and cocktails start from $20 – the club hopes to attracts an older, more international crowd, mixed with the cool and hip who’ve got plenty of dough to spend and enjoy chilling out to music without being jostled around on the dance floor.
During normal nightlife hours on the weekend, from 10pm to about 1am, the vibe leans toward a sexy, deep house, funky feeling, and as the night seeps in, the music turns into a more commercial set.
Dom Lounge’s residents-on-deck, DJ Amy – who’s spun at Avalon, supperclub and Arena, and DJ Joshua Goh, whose track record includesHelipad and BluJaz – are on hand to deliver wicked beats every Friday and Saturday. No international DJs have caught their attention yet, but keep an eye out for a variety of local flavours and their mish-mash of tunes, as well as various concepts for different hours of the day and possible themed nights on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Besides the raving parties at night, the place also morphs into Singapore’s very first Russian Tea Room during the day, offering Russian-inspired cuisine and delightfully aromatic teas from Eastern Europe for those who aren’t creatures of the night or who are simply curious about the exotic menu. However, they’re quick to set the record straight – don’t expect authentic Russian food, because it’s a tad too bland for most Singaporeans’ taste buds to appreciate. Their menu offers an array of dishes inspired by traditional Russian plates and spiced-up fusion blends.
‘There’s no place in Singapore – and I’ve seen this in a lot of places around the world – where they actually utilise the club in the day for something else,’ Carver said. ‘That’s what I wanted Dom to be – in the daytime it’s more of a lounge, at sunset like an afterwork champagne culture, and then later on, it progresses into an ultralounge at night.’
Certainly, that’s also where its regal décor and elegant atmosphere helps around the clock. As Lee says, ‘most clubs, when they turn on the lights, the whole thing looks a mess. But the way we’ve furnished ours, it looks nice in the daytime as well as at night.’
Singaporean owners Lee Jia Jun, 25 – who used to run Arena, supperclub (now closed) and Soul (now called Club Embassy) after starting out as a club promoter – and Andrew Carver, 29 – whose past work includes heading up talent and artist management agencies, as well as organising corporate events and fashion shows – are no strangers to the entertainment and nightlife scene.
They’re already drawing in crowds easily to fill up the 17-table, 200-capacity space simply by word-of-mouth, with their contacts and friends on the members list. To them, Dom Lounge resembles a small, intimate living room with a cosy, communal feel ideal for close interaction, much like a ‘second home, but a very luxurious one’.
‘We wanted something a bit different from everything else in Singapore, so the idea originally came from pre-communist Russia, where everything was quite ostentatious,’ Carver explained. ‘The word “dom” also has a lot of connotations with things like Dom Pérignon and a lot of high society words, so we thought “dom” really made it feel like home.’
With Russian culture still relatively unfamiliar to Singaporeans, there’s a definite draw to this place. Fashioned by both Lee and Carver, who hired an interior designer to breathe life into their ideas, the start-up process took more than a year, from sketching out designs to scouring locations to hiring staff.
Not yet open to the public – other than a private preview party in December of last year – the lounge is aiming for an official launch sometime after Chinese New Year, after which the public can grab spots on the coveted member list (up to the owners’ discretion), with a minimum spend of $50.
Putting an emphasis on high-quality service and premium liquor choices – a bottle averages $300 (for Dom Pérignon and Grey Goose) and cocktails start from $20 – the club hopes to attracts an older, more international crowd, mixed with the cool and hip who’ve got plenty of dough to spend and enjoy chilling out to music without being jostled around on the dance floor.
During normal nightlife hours on the weekend, from 10pm to about 1am, the vibe leans toward a sexy, deep house, funky feeling, and as the night seeps in, the music turns into a more commercial set.
Dom Lounge’s residents-on-deck, DJ Amy – who’s spun at Avalon, supperclub and Arena, and DJ Joshua Goh, whose track record includesHelipad and BluJaz – are on hand to deliver wicked beats every Friday and Saturday. No international DJs have caught their attention yet, but keep an eye out for a variety of local flavours and their mish-mash of tunes, as well as various concepts for different hours of the day and possible themed nights on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Besides the raving parties at night, the place also morphs into Singapore’s very first Russian Tea Room during the day, offering Russian-inspired cuisine and delightfully aromatic teas from Eastern Europe for those who aren’t creatures of the night or who are simply curious about the exotic menu. However, they’re quick to set the record straight – don’t expect authentic Russian food, because it’s a tad too bland for most Singaporeans’ taste buds to appreciate. Their menu offers an array of dishes inspired by traditional Russian plates and spiced-up fusion blends.
‘There’s no place in Singapore – and I’ve seen this in a lot of places around the world – where they actually utilise the club in the day for something else,’ Carver said. ‘That’s what I wanted Dom to be – in the daytime it’s more of a lounge, at sunset like an afterwork champagne culture, and then later on, it progresses into an ultralounge at night.’
Certainly, that’s also where its regal décor and elegant atmosphere helps around the clock. As Lee says, ‘most clubs, when they turn on the lights, the whole thing looks a mess. But the way we’ve furnished ours, it looks nice in the daytime as well as at night.’
Description: Located in an old warehouse nearby Singapore River, Zouk is considered one of the city’s older clubs which is renowned for both local and visit travelers. Zouk is separated in different levels and each level contains different atmosphere and services. Only card carrying party regulars are allowed to access the Member’s on the second level. Although various types of drink are available at Zouk, but the most attraction here is Big-name foreign DJs, who frequently fulfill the bar’s atmosphere with fun and entertainment.
Description: Recognized as one of a few outdoor nightclubs in Singapore, KM8 Night Club is located in Sentosa on the Tanjong Beach, just about 8 kilometers from the popular Orchard Street. This magnificent nightclub combines the charming beauty of the sea, sand and sound to create an extraordinary environment for every drinker. The club’s atmosphere is filled with Balearic and Hip Hop music which easily arouse the level of adrenaline. In addition, a wide selection of local and international cuisines is also listed in the bar’s menu.
Description: The Ministry of Sound in Singapore is one of the English franchise clubs which have spread throughout the globe since the early 1990s. Covered over a sprawling area of 40,000 sq-ft, this subsidiary in Singapore is considered the biggest Ministry of Sound club worldwide. The Ministry of Sound in Singapore is separated into several rooms and each room offers different kinds of music to cater the varying tastes of all its visitors. For more option, a special room for private party is also available.
Description: Another best club in Singapore, Crazy Elephant is well known for local residents as an ideal place for hanging out after a long-working day. This cool club provides its visitors with an excellent atmosphere and outstanding staff service. Classic rock and blues music, which are nightly played by resident bands, can easily bring an entertaining and relaxing feeling to its patrons any time.
Description: Established by Peter Wong, a Business Times journalist, Madam Wong’s Nightclub is considered another most popular club in Singapore. Previously located on Mohammad Sultan Road, the club has now reopened at Central Mall in the bustling area of the city. Madam Wong’s Nightclub was designed in oriental style which makes the club look different from the nearby clubs. However, Pop dance music which is regularly played here is a major attraction for most visitors.
Description: Named as the ‘Best Nightspot experience’ in 2004, The Thumper Night Club is renowned for being one of Singapore’s hippest clubs, where a huge of fun-loving people always gathered inside the club, especially on Saturday nights. The club’s band, ‘WAT Da Funk’, usually performs the best music for entertaining patrons, but when the band not on stage, DJs will keep the music pumping instead. This is the main reason why The Thumper is famous among young visitors.
Description: Among the superb night bars in Singapore, Club Momo has differentiated itself from the other clubs by its outstanding private dance platforms. Established by John and Helen Lee, Club Momo is recognized as the most ideal dace club in the city where a great dance floor and top-quality hit music is available. Club Momo is divided into several areas and each is stylistically decorated with magnificent ornaments. Additionally, various types of beverage and some great snacks are listed in the club’s menu.
Description: An extremely popular nightclub in Singapore, DXO offers a good blend of hip-hop, retro, disco, pop and classical music. The club’s environment and atmosphere is quite different from the other nightclubs of Singapore because it’s specially designed to offer complete relaxation and repose for its patrons. In addition, a wide selection of foods and beverages as well as international cuisines is also ready to serve at this excellent club.
Description: Although Attica in Singapore had recently been set up, but now this outstanding bar has become the greatest clubbing destination, not just in Singapore but in the whole of Asia. Because located in Clarke Quay, Attica offers absolutely stunning views of the Singapore River and the magnificent skyline of the lion city. Attica’s interior space is decorated with plush sofa lounges, courtyard, palm trees and the fountain. Additionally, the club’s foods and drinks menu is excellent and second to none.
Description: Also know as Dbl O, Double O club is considered one of the greatest dance clubs in Singapore. Occupying a large area of 6,000 square feet, Double O contains four bars inside, each has extremely stylish interiors. The club’s main attraction is the dance floor with its 10 meter high ceiling which is able to give an outstanding dancing environment to its patrons. For more option, Double O offers sliding walls for private space.
