Since 2004, Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur (#ZoukClubKL) has been an iconic landmark in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But in a couple of months, Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur will be relocating from its current site at Jalan Ampang to its new home at TREC, located along the bustling downtown Jalan Tun Razak.
What is TREC?
TREC will be Malaysia’s first and only purpose-built, urban F&B, lifestyle and entertainment district – a one-stop integrated entertainment hub similar to the likes of Hong Kong’s LanKwai Fong, Shanghai’s XinTian Di, and Singapore’s Clarke Quay. It aims to assimilate a variety of different atmospheres through its 5 zones.
It sounds like fun, but the truth is, we’re scared. We’ve gotten so used to the current Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur’s location that the idea of frequenting a new venue and making the unfamiliar place our new weekend haunt does make us feel a little nervous. Imagine moving house to a new neighbourhood. That’s what it feels like!
Here are some (perfectly explainable and sound) reasons why we’re scared of Malaysia’s most iconic club moving:
1. “But what if we get lost?”
Truth be told, it’s unchartered territory, that new space. With the current Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur, we know it like the back of our hand. We know where the RM5 parking is and where the RM10 parking is, as well as the NZ Garden Café around the corner and the best places to sober up before driving home. But the new Zouk alone has a built-up space of 60,000 sq ft while TREC, the entertainment enclave, is built on a 7-acre site – that’s the size of 6 football pitches! How will we ever get our bearings right?
2. So many rooms, so little night
We gotta admit that when the current Zouk Club KualaLumpur was put through a major facelift in 2008, it confused us greatly. Sure, the revamp was an instant hit amongclubbers, but at the beginning, even we struggled to explore all 7 rooms. Now, here’s the thing, we hear that the new Zouk KL comprises 5 clubs, a VIP bar lounge, member’s lounge, café, and a rooftop deck overlooking the Royal Selangor Golf Club. There simply aren’t enough hours in a night to party in all the rooms, peeps! Sigh, we guess we’ll just have to keep going back, “begrudgingly”.
3. Prices for entry/cover charge
In case you didn’t know, the new Zouk, developed at a cost of a whopping total of RM38 million, is the most expensive club ever built in Malaysia. There’s no doubt that it will be the beacon of TREC and Kuala Lumpur’s entertainment scene. The current entry/cover charge prices at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur in Ampang ranges from anywhere between RM45 (non event nights) to RM65 (event nights). We have no idea how much the new entry/cover charge prices are, but what we do know is that a lot of money was invested into the new club. But then again, we are #FOMO (fear of missing out) so “die die” have to go.
4. Spoilt for choice
Located in TREC and surrounded by other night spots, we could just be rendered very bad decision-makers. Don’t forget, as much as it’s Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur’s new location, TREC is also home to 77 outlets with a total of 200,000 sq ft of lettable space offering lifestyle and F&B choices. We’re talking both established as well a new brands of restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, pubs, and even double-storey bungalows (The Terrace) that house gourmet joints. Oh boy, we’ll be spoilt for choice whether we like it or not! Check out the 1st wave of tenants here.
5. “Which road to use to get to the new Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur?”
Similar to our first point above, this is about knowing the current Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur like the back of our hand. In fact, we bet our bottom dollar that most partygoers are able to drive themselves there on a weekly basis on auto-pilot. For the new Zouk, we’ll have to figure out the best road(s) to use to get there and to get home (to avoid “unforeseen circumstances” cough road blocks cough). With connectivity to and from Jalan Kampung Pandan, Jalan Bukit Bintang Jalan Cheras, Sungei Besi Highway, Jalan Tun Razak Highway, MEX Highway, and the SMART Tunnel, it’s going to take us awhile to familiarise ourselves once again. Boohoo.
6. It’s just really, really hard to say goodbye
We all grew up partying at Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur in Jalan Ampang. Many of us call it home. Hence, the sendoff will definitely be an emotional one. Oh well, time to whip out our waterproof mascara and Kleenex for the club’s 2-part finale parties! And guys, it’s totally okay to not “control macho” for the following dates because we won’t judge – we’d be too busy crying ourselves:
- 11th July – The first sendoff takes place for Zouk Main Room and Phuture, but the Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur complex at Jalan Ampang won’t be closed after the 11th July. Velvet Underground and Zouk Cafe Bar will continue to open beyond 11th July.
- 25th July – This milestone event marks the finale of “Lights Out, Move Out” for Velvet Underground and Zouk Cafe Bar – as well as for the current Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur complex, as the curtain comes down for the final time.
BONUS:
On 11th and 25th July, revellers attending the “Lights Out, Move Out” farewell parties can sign up for launch invites to the new Zouk at TREC and Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur’s membership (yay, no more cover charge worries!). There will also be a sneak peek of the new club that would be screened on this night. To add on, for the first 200 early birds on both days – a limited-edition Zouk KL T-shirt.
Don’t say we didn’t share 😉
For more information, hit up TREC’s official website or Zouk Club KL’s interim website.
