How this new “Magic Mike” club plans to whet the appetite of clubbers in Singapore

The nightlife scene is often described as a place of sin.

While that might be true on some accounts, it has also put a sense of shame, in our opinion, onto the industry. But what’s a little fun without a bit of (f)risk?

This was the mindset behind the opening of Lilibet, a club with KTV rooms, a bar, and an all-male dance troupe reminiscent of Magic Mike. But are they as risque and sleazy as we think?

Inspired by royalty

Lilibet is owned by Shirley Sim and Jessie Ho, who were introduced to each other through mutual friends in the business scene years ago. Shirley, who is the founder of Lilibet, started to develop the idea when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and approached Jessie to collaborate.

“Shirley had been to boys’ clubs with her friends before, and while it wasn’t something she personally enjoyed, she saw the potential for it to be a lucrative and exciting venture if done differently,” explained Jessie, who is currently the CEO of Lilibet.

Now, at this point, if you wonder why the club’s name sounds familiar, it’s because it was inspired by the late British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood nickname, which came about as she struggled to pronounce her own name as a child.

“There is this naughty and regal elegance to the name. It couldn’t be a more suitable name than this!” joked Jessie.

Opening a club is no small venture. The duo took two years to “pin down” the club’s concept and bring in dancers from Singapore and overseas, including the local male exotic dance troupe Queen of Hearts.

But that was just the easy part. Not only did they “fight” with four potential nightclubs for their current location at Rendezvous Hotel, but Jessie also claimed that they invested six figures into the business, which came from bootstrapping and contributions from a small group of private investors.

Nevertheless, Lilibet successfully launched on September 10, 2024, and I headed down to experience everything.

Getting royal treatment

While Magic Mike-style performances and stripteases have received mainstream recognition, thanks to the popularity of the 2012 film, it’s seen more as a cultural norm in the West. That’s not to eliminate the virality of similar establishments in Asia, though.

Notably, the Thai Hunks restaurant and the “Wild Wild” musical in Thailand and South Korea, respectively. Nevertheless, one might wonder if Jessie and Shirley were worried about how the club would be received in Singapore.

We were aware of the sensitivities, but we approached Lilibet with a clear vision of sophistication and respectability. By framing our performances as artful and tasteful, and creating an environment that prioritises guest and performer respect, we’ve been able to redefine perceptions and attract a diverse audience.

Customers feel safe at Lilibet. Ours have always been clean fun.

And boy, what fun I’ve had.

Upon entering the club, I was greeted with blue velvet walls, built-in sofas, and a small T-shaped stage. I was led to a sofa right in the middle of the stage (which turned out to be for VIPs), giving me the perfect view.

Before I knew it, it was showtime.

While I will keep it PG here, all I will say is that the dancers kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Every dance allowed each of the dancers to showcase their charms and hidden talents (one even rapped!)

But what made a lasting impression was the fact that I was genuinely enjoying myself and felt safe throughout, even when the dancers got up close and personal.

I was definitely treated like a queen and left feeling like one.

The royal life comes with high stakes

Turns out, I wasn’t the only one who had fun. According to Jessie, the club has earned positive reactions from patrons, gaining a “steady rise” in bookings in three months. “We have [also] achieved our mini goal set, which is ‘Handsome boys, handsome tips!'” she cheekily added.

Yet I also wondered: With the luxurious interior and concept, the cost to maintain it seemed high—how does Lilibet plan to sustain itself in the long term?

Not only do they have to consider rental, operations, employee salaries, and production costs, but they also need to ensure their prices remain competitive and stand out from multiple nightlife establishments in the area.

Unlike typical clubs, there’s also no dance floor, meaning that you can only choose between a sofa or individual seats. While there are no entrance fees, patrons are required to meet a minimum spend and tip. Currently, the minimum tip starts at S$299 per table, while the minimum spend begins at S$399.

While that’s not necessarily the most expensive, not everyone is willing to fork out that much money for a “hot” night, and this change in consumer behaviour has also taken a toll on the Singaporean nightlife scene.

Jessie explained that the prices were set to ensure that Lilibet can continue to offer the experiences it’s known for and that it has onboarded sponsors and brands to defray a portion of the operational costs.

“We wish to break away from the norm of the current Singapore nightlife scene where it is just about the booze, dance floor, and music spinning,” reiterated Jessie.

Their reign has just begun

Since opening less than half a year ago, Lilibet has grown its dance troupe to a septet and has not only caught the eyes of many on social media but also had potential investors knocking on their doors.

While they have yet to secure a deal successfully, Jessie shared that the funds would be used to scale their operations and elevate guest experiences. This includes upgrading their facilities and productions and boosting their marketing efforts.

“Additionally, we would explore new entertainment concepts and bolster our training programmes for both dancers and hosts [to] ensure that Lilibet continues to delight patrons,” she added.

While Jessie clarified that she’s focused on maintaining Lilibet’s profitability, the owners are always exploring growth opportunities and are open to potentially opening another outlet in the future.

“While we don’t have a fixed timeline, our focus is on sustainable growth that aligns with our brand’s vision.”

As someone who is in it to have a good time but is afraid of the sleaze and trouble at clubs, I can say with my whole heart that Lilibet has whetted my appetite for clubbing.

Feature Image Credit: Lilibet