David Gan is the first to admit that he is hardly a beach person. But at the height of the pandemic in 2020, when travel borders were shut and Singapore initiated the circuit breaker, the 31-year-old co-founder and executive chairman of home-grown hospitality group Tipsy Collective found himself dreaming of a beach getaway over conversations with close friend Derek Ong, the group's late co-founder. "This idea really resonated with us because we were stuck in Singapore and the only place where we could feel like we were overseas was in Sentosa," he says, adding that beach clubs for them recalled memories of drinking by the beach in Bali, for instance, and just having a good time with friends.
This yearning for a beach holiday became the seed that led to the opening of Tipsy Unicorn last October, a 19,000 sq feet beach club, which took over the space vacated by Wave House Sentosa on Siloso Beach. This is the first "mythical animal" in Tipsy Collective's coterie of 11 dining concepts, which include Tipsy Penguin (the first restaurant which opened in the heartlands in 2018), Tipsy Bird, Tipsy Panda and Tipsy Hippo. Gan shares that Tipsy Unicorn-the collective's biggest and most ambitious project to date was envisioned to be a place where "nature and the excitement of entertainment, gastronomy, and music come together in perfect harmony".
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Tatler Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2024 edition of Tatler Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How To Live Like A Royal In The British Countryside
From Windsor to Bray, all it takes is a speedy jaunt away from the hustle and bustle of London to gain first-hand insights into the lives of the British royal family
Powder, Peaks And Pro Tips
Embark on a winter wonderland getaway with this Tatler guide to all things ski, from the best destinations in Asia and Europe to looking chic on the slopes
THE GOLDEN AGE
At the launch of the L'Or de Jean Martell collection in Cognac, France, Martell's cellar master Christophe Valtaud unveils the first limited-edition expression of the Réserve du Château series
LET'S GET (META) PHYSICAL
Contrary to popular belief, the traditional practices of feng shui and ba zi are not only alive and well, but thriving among the younger set. Today's masters of Chinese metaphysics share how they are modernising the craft
Deep Dive
Matthew de Bakker, co‑founder of Singapore‑based Atelier Holgur, discusses how his independent watch brand couples his passion for watches with his love of ocean conservation
PLACE OF POWER
One of the most influential literary voices in Singapore, acclaimed novelist and short story writer Amanda Lee Koe talks conformity, the power of representation, and smashing social dichotomies in her works—including her new book Sister Snake
Driving Force
For CAA Sports' Samantha Peihua Chen, diversity is the key to innovation
Eat, Drink, Dine
From the rise of K-cuisine to spicy tipples, here are the food and drink trends we are anticipating in 2024
BEST IN CLASS
Another year, another edition of our annual Tatler Dining Guide featuring the top tables in Singapore making up the city's dynamic culinary landscape. For the 2024 edition, industry leaders and tastemakers joined the Tatler Dining team in nominating, reviewing and voting for the Tatler Dining 20 and Best of the Year Awards, along with the newly launched Honourable Mentions recognising the 10 deserving restaurants beyond the top 20. Flip the pages for the full list
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
He is one of the most successful chefs of his generation, but for Odette chef-owner Julien Royer, his path to culinary stardom would not have been possible without the people he encountered along the way