A partying haven for underground house music and techno, this Kampong Bugis playground will be missed as one of the finest clubs in the local dance scene
Considering how close-knit the underground dance scene is, news of this tragedy was bound to be let loose sooner or later. Yes it’s true, party animals – as much as we hate to say it’s true, it’s time to bid farewell to the sanctuary of left-field beats that is Kilo Lounge. We feel y’all; we see y’all putting your hands up in the air – in despair no less.
Since its inception in February 2014 at Kampong Bugis’ Ture Building – which will continue to house Kilo Kallang (heave a sigh of relief, foodies) – Kilo Lounge has been ushering punters who ride up the notorious graffiti-littered cargo elevator into a club environment that’s been consistent in house music, techno, bass, disco and everything off the commercial spectrum. We’ll eternally recall famous past guest DJs like Hot Chip, Danny Daze and Chez Damier, and even live music performers like Braids, Slow Magic and hip-hop legends The Pharcyde. More importantly, it’s also helped nurture the local scene by boosting residencies and homegrown selectors like Maurice Simon, CATS ON CRACK, Zig Zach and Oliver Osborne.
So if it’s been so darn radical, what’s the deal with this abrupt closure? According to the Kilo management, it turns out that its licence for late-night partying has no longer been approved by the local authorities (bah!). And until 1 January 2016, it’ll be running on a temporary nightclub licence; after which, Kilo Lounge will cease operations as a nightclub.
But before you ravers start to rebel, there is a silver lining in this fiasco! Kilo management has also revealed that they’ve already begun searching for a new space to rope in the revelries, and they’re hopeful that they can introduce a revitalised Kilo Lounge by the early second quarter of 2016 – which is pretty soon, if you ask us!
In the meantime, do show the Kilo folks some love before they wrap up the parties on 1 January 2016. Swing by its New Year’s Eve party with UK’s Prok & Fitch on the decks, and its swan song on the first day of 2016 with USA’s Amtrac. So dance like y’all mean it; it’ll be the last time at this party pad after all!
Kilo Lounge, #08-01 Ture Building, 66 Kampong Bugis, Singapore 338987, p. 9830 6252. Open Tue-Sat 5.30pm-late
All images by Colossal Photos