Ladies Night - but only if you're under 36
Woman in her 50s was denied Ladies Night free-drinks privilege by club because she was 'above 35'

The Straits Times
June 24, 2007

By Jamie Ee and Baey Shi Chen & Jessica Lim

IN A black-lace top, a grey Gucci beret and tight jeans, Ms Violet Lim was dressed to party.

But at the entrance of Powerhouse in mega-club St James Power Station, a bouncer asked for her identity card, then denied her the five free-drinks vouchers typically offered to women on Ladies' Night.

The reason? She was 'above 35'.

Last Wednesday night, the 55-year-old dating consultant, a mother of two grown children, was told she had to pay for her drinks.

By then, she was so insulted, she left.

'They are too much,' she said. 'My girlfriends and I have been going to Ladies Night at various clubs for many years and we never had problems getting free drinks.'

The idea of Ladies Night at clubs works on the belief that the promise of free or discounted drinks for women will draw them in, and they in turn will attract men.

Being an adult woman is generally enough to qualify for the privilege - age notwithstanding.

But Mr Andrew Ing, chief operating officer of St James Power Station, said the club's coupons only extend to women 'who fit our target profile' - that is, 'young and trendy'.

'It's to protect the interests of our existing clientele,' he explained.

Two weeks ago, Ms Lim also failed to get the coupons, despite being dressed youthfully in a fitted jacket and trendy black slacks.

She was handed spa vouchers instead.

Similarly snubbed - and annoyed - was 36-year-old nurse Geraldine Lee, who is just one year over the Powerhouse age limit.

'It's like telling you you're old and won't attract guys, so go somewhere else,' said Ms Lee, who was at the club for the first time last Wednesday.

Even so, Mr Ing cited the club's right to turn away customers, and its right to give or refuse Ladies' Night privileges.

'Door policies have always been controversial because they can never be in black and white,' he said.

Yet, when The Sunday Times visited 10 clubs on their Ladies' Nights with Ms Lim and four other females in their 50s, most did not begrudge them the privileges.

Bouncers screened entrants for the under-aged, those who did not comply with dress codes or potential trouble-makers.

At popular clubs like Zouk, Ministry of Sound, and The Arena, the women were ushered in readily and served their drinks - no questions asked.

Still, service varied.

At The Butter Factory in Mohamed Sultan Road, one older woman was let in without hesitation, as a bouncer held the door open.

But at The Clinic in The Cannery at Clarke Quay, free-drinks vouchers were distributed 'at random'.

Bouncers offered one to three coupons to women depending on how well-dressed or attractive they were - a practice that one coupon recipient, Mrs L.E. Tan, 57, found 'definitely offensive'.

A 25-year-old Sunday Times reporter just in front of Mrs Tan in the same queue got three coupons.

At these incidents, Ms Constance Singam, 70, president of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware), lashed out: 'They shouldn't call it Ladies' Night then. They should call it 'Young & Sexy Night'.'

Even men agreed, saying women should not be made to feel bad. At least, 'the club should make it explicit', said Mr Chew Tat Leong, 49, a computer firm employee.

From an older woman's point of view, he added: 'I would feel uncomfortable that I have to pay when younger girls don't.'

One was less inclusive.

American investment banker Jason Timothy, 25, said: 'I just don't think a 55-year-old woman would create a great atmosphere to attract men.'

He need not worry about Ms Lee or Ms Lim though - both have decided to boycott Powerhouse.

Said Ms Lim: 'If they think I'm old, why should I go in, stick out like a sore thumb, and still pay?'


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gave to Ladies below 36 year old share your comments