After The First Chapter & Benang, this M’sian biz is bringing its speakeasy expertise abroad

From the team behind popular local bars The First Chapter and Benang The Second Chapter comes a third chapter, but it might not be where you think it is. 

Both The First Chapter and Benang have found their homes in KL, but instead of following after its predecessors, The Chapter Group’s third outlet is actually located not just outside of KL but outside of Malaysia. 

Introducing: Scubar The Third Chapter, a new cocktail bar in Thailand’s Koh Phi Phi island. 

Writing more chapters

When The First Chapter first opened, Vulcan Post had the chance to drop by to chat with the founders. Since then, the Malaysian business has not only moved, but it has clearly expanded. 

Predeep Singh, founder of The Chapter Group, reiterated, “We started out The First Chapter as a bar that we wanted to party at with its design, music and cocktails tailored to our personal preferences.”

Thankfully, their preferences resonated with their customers. This spurred the launch of Benang The Second Chapter, which is arguably more popular these days. 

For those who have never visited either outlets, they’re actually quite different, with their own unique charms. 

Where The First Chapter is slightly more sophisticated, with the books and typewriters as recurring motifs, Benang is the bolder and louder counterpart with bright pops of colours with the thread decorations. 

“When we started, we would have never thought that we would actually expand to more locations, but were extremely thankful that the positive reception we received allowed this opportunity,” Predeep expressed.

But how did the opportunity in Thailand come about? 

Bringing Malaysian expertise to Thailand

“During one of our travels, we stumbled along the beautiful island of Koh Phi Phi and we immediately fell in love,” Predeep shared. “The soft sand, crystal clear waters and friendly locals were the push for us to open up the Third Chapter in Thailand.” 

Of course, this was no small task. With Scubar being The Chapter Group’s first international project, there has been no shortage of new learnings along the journey. But not only is it a first for the group, it’s actually a first for the island. Prior to this, the founder claimed that there had been no cocktail clubs on Koh Phi Phi. 

Despite having a first mover advantage, Scubar has pulled out all the stops with a unique diving theme, which is a reflection of Koh Phi Phi’s renowned dive sites. 

“We wanted to incorporate the island’s offering and beauty with the bar,” Predeep said. “Scubar is very nautical themed and we’ve managed to source some amazing items to blend with the theme, such as our antique diving helmets.”

One big challenge they faced was transportation, especially during the construction phase. 

The team wanted to create a beautiful bar, similar to what they’ve accomplished in KL. But to do this, they required a lot of raw materials such as concrete, marble tops, and wood, amongst other things. 

He revealed, “This may come as a surprise to many, but there are absolutely no cars in Phi Phi Island, which meant we had to carry all the equipment and tools by hand from the boat. This definitely lost us a few inches and gained a bit of muscle. It was an eye opening experience for sure.”

Another obstacle has been the communication barrier. According to Predeep, most government bodies mainly speak only in Thai. 

“It took some getting used to (and many hours on Google Translate), but we thankfully managed to pull it off, and now we better understand the business policies in Thailand as well as the customs and social norms which are distinct in every country,” he said.

Staying relevant

While competition in Koh Phi Phi might not be stiff, KL’s nightlife is much more saturated. Standing out in the long run isn’t always easy. 

To that, Predeep believes that every bar has its uniqueness and quirks. And at the end of the day, people just want to have a good time. 

“There are some really amazing places that opened up, and to us it’s mainly about not compromising on our standards,” he added. “We need to do everything we can to make the experience of our customers the best possible.”

For one, safety, which goes hand in hand with comfort, is crucial. As such, the group trains their members of security to be approachable should any of their patrons voice out any issues. 

“We also have an entire team led by our Head of Security, Collin to ensure that everyone is having a good and safe time and feels comfortable in all our outlets,” he assured.

As a way to stay relevant, the team strives to constantly improve by tuning into feedback and addressing them during a weekly operations meeting. 

Predeep mused, “We need to understand that everyone might have different preferences, and we do our best to cater to the majority of our customers.”

Penning the future 

To Predeep, business is all about perseverance. If you truly believe in an idea or concept, go for it and don’t stop until it’s finished. 

The founder also believes that involvement is key. “In any business, it’s vital to be involved with the operations from day one. Focus not only on the revenue but on cost as well.” 

For entrepreneurs who intend to enter the industry, Predeep shared, “I’d recommend to either work in the industry first for a couple of years, or to shadow or partner with an existing bar to truly understand the operations in its entirety.”

At the end of the day, the nightlife industry can be extremely challenging, but to Predeep, it’s also incredibly rewarding.

That’s why he intends to continue the story of The Chapter Group.  

Beyond Koh Phi Phi, the team has ambitions to continue opening up new bars both locally and internationally. They also revealed to Vulcan Post that they’re starting something new in F&B. 

Predeep shared, “I can’t say much yet as I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but stay tuned for something very soon.”

Featured Image Credit: The Chapter Group