Hong Kong's Genting to take Zouk, Singapore nightclub brand, to 'next level'
Acquisition of Asian nightspot pioneer by leisure company that runs Star Cruises will see Zouk expand beyond Singapore and Malaysia
Singaporean nightclub Zouk – which helped introduce contemporary clubbing culture to Asia – has been acquired by leisure, entertainment and hospitality company Genting Hong Kong.
Genting Hong Kong, which is best known for operating the Star Cruises line headquartered in Hong Kong, announced this week that it was taking over the Singaporean nightlife brand’s assets, including the club – currently in Jiak Kim Street, Singapore, but scheduled to move to a new location in Clarke Quay next year – and the annual ZoukOut dance music festival, scheduled to take place in December. The deal does not include the Zouk club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
After it opened in 1991, Zouk became arguably the first world-class modern nightclub in Asia. It has regularly appeared on lists of the world’s best clubs. It spearheaded the house and techno music scenes in the region by playing host to some of the biggest names in electronic dance music, including Carl Cox, Paul Oakenfold and Armin van Buuren.
In a statement after the deal was announced, Zouk founder Lincoln Cheng said: “Zouk, a world-class brand, has all along held ambitions to expand beyond Singapore and Malaysia. Genting Hong Kong will take the Zouk brand to the next level and to greater heights together with the existing Zouk Singapore team, mapping its footprint out of Singapore and Malaysia, and for the future.”
The acquisition of Zouk comes several months after Genting launched its Beatship club cruising concept on the SuperStar Virgo, its flagship cruise liner in Hong Kong.
