The COVID-19 pandemic is something that not many saw coming.
If you travelled back in time and told the owners of bars and hotels that their premises would be all but empty more than a year, they’d think you were bonkers.
Up until the coronavirus emerged, many of these successful establishments were up to their neck in customers, who sometimes had to make bookings long in advance.
Things are very different, now, of course. While travel has started to resume, meaning airlines and hotels will start to see an uptick in tourism, nightlife establishments are still struggling to stay afloat.
And with the light at the end of the tunnel too far away, some of them have no choice but to call it quits.
Iconic 2nd Storey of Wala Wala to Shut Down Permanently After 20 Months of Closure
After 20 years of entertaining guests, Wala Wala Cafe Bar will be closing its iconic second-floor live music space.
The bar announced its closure in a Facebook post earlier this month:
Much like most establishments that have closed in the past year or so, the pandemic had forced Wala Wala’s hand.
“Wala Wala’s history of 29 years has no indemnity against the huge jaws of covid19,” it said.
It clarified that while it is closing its second floor, it will be business as usual on its first floor, which has a cafe and bar.
It explained that the second floor has been closed since March last year, when the authorities banned live entertainment.
Even though they’ve received government grants, it’s not been sufficient to offset the losses, as their live music space has not been used for 20 months now.
Wala Wala owner and director Stanley Yeo said that they’ve had to take money out of their reserves just to survive.
The Wait for Live Music to Return Will Be Too Long
While recorded music is now permitted in venues, it may be some time before live music returns.
At least that’s what Mr Yeo believes.
Speaking to The Straits Times, he said it’ll be at least three to six months before more activities are allowed to resume, and he believes that live music will only make a return at the end of this period.
Nevertheless, the bar has certainly enjoyed entertaining customers at what has become an iconic Holland Village spot.
“…overall, it has been a fantastic roller coaster ride and we want to thank everyone for being a part of our journey,” it said in its Facebook post.
“We also want to thank all the musicians and sound engineers that have graced our stage. There are far too many to mention; you know who you are. Last but not least, we have to thank our friends that have enjoyed the Wala experience. Thank you all for the support and the friendship. It does feel like a part of Wala has died, but on hindsight, Wala Wala will still be at the corner in Holland Village but just on level one,” it said.
Netizens bemoaned the closure of Wala Wala’s gig space, saying they have many fond memories there.
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Featured Image: Facebook (Wala Wala Cafe Bar)
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