If you've ever had doubts that music is for everyone, a visit to Swee Lee Clarke Quay should put those to rest. The homegrown music retailer's new experience store has what you'd expect – retail offerings spanning guitars, audio equipment, and vinyl records – but also many opportunities for avid musicians and casual music lovers alike to immerse in music, meet established and emerging artists, and connect with fellow enthusiasts over a coffee or cocktail.
Swee Lee is a true-blue Singaporean brand, founded and headquartered in Singapore since 1946. Since then, it has expanded to three locations in Singapore and eight locations in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Swee Lee has also been changing the face of the music retail landscape here, first with its flagship Star Vista outlet, a 464 square meter space that includes a music academy and café.
Swee Lee Clarke Quay is the next step in its evolution from a music retail store to a music experience brand. Located in a former warehouse in Clarke Quay (which, fittingly, has a long history of live music offerings) features an artist lounge, creator corner, vinyl listening stations, and a café and bar. There's also The Great Hall, a versatile space that can accommodate open mic nights, live DJ performances, private dinners, and more. Here's more of what you can expect at Swee Lee Clarke Quay.
Retail offerings and creative opportunities for musicians
Musical retail is at the heart of Swee Lee. At the Clarke Quay store, you can browse a huge range of guitars, accessories, amps and more. The store has over 150 brands, including Fender, Taylor, Ibanez, and MONO. Talk to the staff to get tailored recommendations or demo instruments, or make use of Swee Lee's click-and-collect service to pick up your online purchases within two hours.
Don't miss the Guitar Cellar, home to limited edition and exclusive guitars. Visit this corner of Swee Lee Clarke Quay to view replicas of iconic instruments such as the Jerry Garcia Alligator Stratocaster and creations from the Fender and Heritage Custom Shops. If you'd like some privacy to admire these masterpieces, you can schedule an appointment with Swee Lee Clarke Quay's boutique manager through the By Appointment Only service.
The musical journey doesn't end with the purchase of an instrument. Swee Lee Clarke Quay intends to host masterclasses and workshops for musicians of all levels. You can also book the Artist Lounge for a casual jam session with friends or to film video content, and schedule time at the Creator Corner for a hands-on demo of music editing and social music creation with a variety of essential gear.
Musical experiences for everyone
Vinyl is all the rage now, and if you find it pricey to cash in on the hobby then Swee Lee Clarke Quay provides an appealing option. The store has vinyl listening stations where you can immerse in a library of over 500 records, with a rotating selection curated by NME. Swee Lee Rewards members get a free hour of listening per day with any purchase. For non-members, it costs $10 an hour with any purchase. Purchases include retail products or food and drinks from the café and bar.
Budding musicians looking to give their original creations airtime can join regular open mic nights at The Great Hall. For those who just want to sit back and enjoy the music, look forward to upcoming music events including NME's Girls To The Front Showcase as well as Swee Lee Clarke Quay's launch party on April 13.
Adding to the relaxed ambience is Swee Lee Clarke Quay's café and bar. The café serves an all-day selection of toasties, and brunch items (from $12) such as kimchi and cheese toasties and kaya toast and eggs. It also has a waffle selection (from $13 for a half portion) with toppings like apple crumble and caramelised banana. Savour coffee made from locally roasted beans by Flip Coffee Roasters and music-inspired cocktails created by the famed bar, Employees Only.
Swee Lee Clarke Quay is now open daily at Block 3B River Valley Road, #01-06, from 10am to 10pm at the café and bar and noon to 9pm at the retail store. Visit experience.sweelee.com for more information about bespoke services and upcoming events at the store.
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