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SINGAPORE: It was only 4 p.m. on a Wednesday (December 9), but there was already a line of people waiting to enter Skinny’s Lounge on Boat Quay – the first customers at the bar after a closure of approximately eight months due to COVID -19. outbreak.
Along with Bar Kiharu and Bell Bar, Skinny’s is one of only three bars to reopen this week under a pilot program for the nightlife industry.
Patricia Foo, a regular customer, told CNA that once she heard the news, she and her friends made plans to be at Skinny’s the moment they opened.
“All the staff are very friendly, they are basically friends at the moment. We just wanted to come show our support and say ‘hi’ to them,” Ms. Foo said. “It’s been a while, COVID-19 didn’t help anyone at all.”
Customers at the Skinny’s Lounge bar counter on December 9, 2020 when it reopened under a pilot nightlife business scheme.
The vibe was a little different at Skinny’s compared to before the pandemic, with softer music of about 60 decibels, mandatory use of masks and safe distancing, but at least the customers had returned.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MTI) and the Ministry of the Interior (MHA) said the three bars would be open for two months to test safe management measures and the ability of the nightlife industry to comply, before the Government would consider reopening nightlife businesses.
MTI and MHA received a total of six nominations for bars and pubs.
READ: 3 bars and pubs authorized to reopen under the COVID-19 pilot program for the nightlife industry
READ: 5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Bars Under The COVID-19 Nightlife Pilot
In addition to adhering to existing safe distancing measures, such as limiting groups to five and wearing masks, bars should also not have live music, karaoke, dancing, or activities like darts and billiards.
Additionally, companies cannot sell alcohol after 10:30 pm and provide hostess services, and their facilities must be monitored by closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
Kiharu Bar in Orchard Plaza.
Ms Junko Mizouchi, who runs Bar Kiharu in Orchard Plaza, said that installing a closed circuit television was the biggest change to her whiskey bar. It has also reduced the seating capacity from 13 to nine people.
“I was lucky, I had been looking forward to opening for a long time,” Ms. Junko said, adding that she hadn’t thought about swinging her business.
“I want to keep this for the regulars. If I switch to selling food, the atmosphere will change.”
Across the street at Cuppage Plaza, the Japanese and izakayas restaurants that the building is known for were buzzing, but many karaoke pubs remained closed.
Archive image of KTV De Phoenix lounge at Cuppage Plaza. (Photo: Chew Hui Min)
One exception was Bell Bar, a small pub that opened Tuesday night, a few hours after the announcement was made.
The bar owner, who just wanted to be known as Mabel, said the last eight months had been difficult. He had taken another job to get ahead, only to see his salary and savings depleted from rent and other expenses while he waited for permission to reopen.
“We finally got to open. Sure, there is no karaoke right now … limited capacity too, but as long as it can open, there is always a way to try to survive,” he said.
Both bars said they have had inquiries and reservations from their regulars.
Owner of Bell Bar in Cuppage Plaza Mabel. (Photo: Chew Hui Min)
When details of the show were announced in November, authorities said the karaoke and nightclub pilots were expected to start in January 2021.
Customers are expected to get tested for COVID-19 before they can visit these locations, but there is no such requirement for bars and pubs.
READ: Some nightlife businesses allowed to reopen with COVID-19 security measures under the pilot program
MTI and MHA said in November that nightlife venues wishing to “pivot” into other activities could apply for a grant of up to S $ 50,000 from Enterprise Singapore (ESG) to defray costs incurred, such as equipment and third parties. consulting costs.
Nightlife venues exiting the industry can also request a payment of S $ 30,000 from ESG to defray their costs.
With the availability of such grants, there were only about 60 establishments, including bars, karaoke pubs and nightclubs, that expressed interest in the pilot program, said the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA).
Meanwhile, SNBA, which is the first point of contact for companies wanting to apply for grants, received nearly 500 inquiries about pivoting or exiting. About 65 percent were interested in changing, while about 35 percent of inquiries were related to leaving, the SNBA secretariat said.
Also, bars and pubs with other sources of income, such as a restaurant look for their business, were not eligible for the pilot. Many had also reopened as restaurants.
“Operators were of the opinion that it could be more sustainable to convert their establishment to F&B during this period, at least their food sales could go beyond 10:30 pm,” the spokesperson said.
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