A Final Hurrah For Golden Mile Complex
The Beach Road grand dame was given a festival-like farewell by the party community.
By Imran Jalal,
Golden Mile Complex may be known for the Thai grub and dozens of night clubs and KTV lounges, but for one night only on March 4, the Beach Road landmark became the party spot to be at. The occasion? The Last Mile, a mega pop-up party masterminded by seasoned organisers Ice Cream Sundays and Mugic Soundsystem, as a grand farewell to one of the last vestiges of authentic nightlife spots here before its occupants vacate the premises in May following its en bloc sale.
As a result, 13 music collectives from the likes of Strange Weather and Darker Than Wax took over five spots across five floors of the sprawling building – bringing with them a gamut of sounds and head bangers ranging from techno to house, punk and funk that fuelled partygoers till 4am. Ahead, see snaps from the night.
(From left) Student/tattoo artist Martina Aquaro; Ee Jin Moh, the creative director of homegrown label Lasik; and skater/tattoo artist/model Tristen Tio brought their raver punk energy to the event.
Among the creatives in the crowd were (from left) graphic designer and model Erwinshah Hassan; gallery executive Cat Low; marketing freelancer Veron Tang; and communication assistant Sherilyn Foo
Following the light to the basement of Golden Mile Complex to Enclave Bar, where acts like Shaun Nocturnals and Vaibs got behind decks
South Korean Elaine Shin, who works as an account manager at a creative agency, has been based here since May 2022. To her, Golden Mile Complex offers something that is becoming a bit more elusive in Singapore – "raw, grungy goodness". "Although I've not been here long, I can tell that this place brought a lot of happiness, comfort and memories for friends/communities who have been here for awhile," she said.
Artist-slash-DJ Ashley Erianah and her pals provided the sideshow entertainment via their makeshift karaoke booth that was opened to passersby game enough to take on the mic.
A cuddly party-goer seen outside Elite Club, which hosted sets by music stalwarts Darker Than Wax, Mugic and Ice Cream Sundays
Spotted partying to the electrifying set by music collective Syndicate at Room 0416 were (from left) creative director Charmain Seah-Ong; her bro and financial adviser Russell Seah; food stylist and home chef Carmen Chen; artist and educator Leonard Wee; and graphic designer Teo Chong Wah
Crystal Lee (right) and Hizuan Zailani a.k.a. the folks behind artisanal natural dye label Project Coal
Jewellery designer and photographer Aetll at Thai disco 3Saaap, which was the venue for crowd-pleasing acts such as Kindergarchy and A'alely
Golden Mile Complex's distinctive stepped architecture hung over the queue waiting to enter multi-purpose art studio Room 0416
Seen here is Prashant Somosundram, the general manager of The Projector. The indie cinema is located in the neighbouring Golden Mile Tower, which was completed in 1974, a year after Golden Mile Complex.
Real estate undergraduate Victoria Chan (right) and friends at Siriwan Thai Food, one of the few Thai eateries that have yet to vacate the building
A reveller with a garland – a fixture of many a siam dui or Thai-themed nightclub – around his neck