Orchard Towers’ Baliba shuts its doors for good

[The_King]

..

 

 

A long-running nightclub institution bid farewell yesterday to its home in the infamous Orchard Towers entertainment hub.

Baliba Pub and Cafe, which hosted frequent and elaborate parties before the pandemic hit, announced yesterday it was closing the stage and switching off its beer taps after 15 years of operation.

“It is with the heaviest heart to share that Baliba Pub and Cafe has closed permanently. From the Strumm’s family, we thank you for all your love and support for the past 15 years and we will carry this love into building our new concepts,” the bar wrote. Baliba was managed by lifestyle company Strumm’s Holding, who also runs two other Orchard Tower hotspots: The Drunken Poet and Ipanema World Music Bar.

The statement did not indicate why the outlet was closing, but nightclubs islandwide have been unable to reopen fully for over a year now due to the pandemic. Strumm’s Holding did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Last year, the company also closed its American-themed diner Meats N Malts and karaoke bar and club D’Underground.

Dear Friends,

It is with the heaviest heart to share that Baliba Pub and Cafe has closed permanently. From the Strumm’s…

Posted by Baliba Pub and Cafe on Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Baliba used to host monthly events including dance battles, Halloween parties, pillow fights, casino nights, and burlesque shows, before announcing in March 2020 that it was closing temporarily as Singapore ordered the nightlife scene shut in a bid to contain COVID-19.

Meanwhile, The Drunken Poet Irish pub will remain open, while the 650sqm (7,000sqft) Ipanema club, which has been around for nearly two decades, will reopen soon, according to Strumm’s.