‘A big question mark’ over Blu Jaz’s future, after permit to hold live performances cancelled

SINGAPORE — With its appeal against the cancellation of its public entertainment licence rejected, a question mark now hangs over the future of Blu Jaz café.

Contacted on Friday (Jan 4), owner Aileen Tan said that she does not have immediate comment on future plans for the bar.

“We’re working on the plans, and we’ll let you all know (when they are finalised)… We have a lease which is still outstanding… so we have to fulfil the contract (and) we have bands which we have booked, so all these have to be sorted out,” said Ms Tan.

Asked about the viability of the bar operating as a café serving food and drinks from February, Ms Tan only said: “Live entertainment is a big part of Blu Jaz. Without that, what does Blu Jaz stand for? So it’s a big question mark now.”

Last October, Ms Tan had told the media that the outlet would have to close if its appeal failed, as rents were high and the business may not be sustainable without entertainment.

Its public entertainment licence had been cancelled primarily because of overcrowding issues.

On Thursday, the police said Blu Jaz’s appeal was rejected by the Public Entertainment Appeal Board (PEAB) on Dec 31. While Blu Jaz can still operate its cafe, serving food and drinks, it will not be allowed to provide any form of public entertainment at its premises from Feb 1.

The PEAB is a body that comprises senior representatives from the legal, social, business and health sectors.

Responding to TODAY’s queries on Friday (Jan 4), the police said that there are “no restrictions” on parties reapplying for a public entertainment licence. But reapplications will be assessed by the police.

Patrons and performers who frequent Blu Jaz café bemoaned the loss of a “home ground” for budding musicians, poets and artists.

“Blu Jaz is the only venue that supports (musicians performing) niche genres such as jazz, funk, soul R&B, or even avant garde music,” said Mr Yap Ting Wei, 26, a drummer who performs at the weekly jazz jam sessions at the bar.

The loss of the live performance venue “will indirectly affect the music scene” as it allowed musicians to meet and share their knowledge with one another, he added.

“Most importantly, it has developed a community in itself, cultivating new up and coming talents in Singapore.”

Ms Sheena Cheong, 30, a regular at the bar for five years, said she would still go back “to dine and hang out”. But stripping the bar of its public entertainment licence “is a big blow to the vibrant spirit and atmosphere Blu Jaz brings to the area”, she lamented.

“There are cultural performances that happen across all three floors, like jazz nights on the ground floor or poetry and comedy nights on the third floor. So Blu Jaz always attracts a diverse crowd of people and is authentic, unpretentious and supportive of the arts and music community. It’s really a pity,” said the freelance communications and project manager.

Another patron, who only wanted to be known as Ms Constance, said she is “less likely” to visit the pub if there were no live performances.

“The bands are the reason why I come to unwind every couple of weeks,” said the 36-year-old accountant.

Mr Ajay Govinda Menon, 27, host of the Singapore Poetry Slam — held at the bar once a month — said that there was no place like Blu Jaz for the arts.

“Blu Jaz invests heavily on infrastructure necessary to grow the arts… the management is always accommodating and flexible towards artists’ needs,” he said. Staff would readily prepare extra wires, microphones and, at times, even projectors for poets who wished to present their work on screen.

“In any other space you don’t have that kind of flexibility,” said Mr Menon. “Now, suddenly, there’s a vacuum.”

Calling the authorities’ decision “really harsh”, Mr Menon said: “Wouldn’t you want to try to remedy it instead of destroying it?”

When news broke in October last year that Blu Jaz’s public entertainment licence was to be cancelled from Oct 22, there was a similar outpouring of support from patrons and the community. It was later granted a temporary reprieve, pending the outcome of the PEAB appeal.

The police decided to cancel its licence as the café had allowed more than five times the permitted number of people on its second floor on two occasions last year. This posed very serious safety risks to its staff and patrons, the police said.

On April 28 last year, more than 150 people were found on its second floor, which has an approved occupancy load of 30 people.

In a follow-up check on May 5 last year, the police found even more people — close to 200 — on the second floor.