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Any vibrant metropolis needs new nightclubs, hotspots and "in" places to keep the party vibe going...

We need new venues because the tastes of patrons change, the geography and demographics change. People change. Singapore is no different.

Some venues come and go, some keep it going far longer than they should, yet I think that the resiliency of Singapore's club scene is a really amazing thing, as it has only improved exponentially ever since the first house track bumped Rick Astley off the turntable.

And now there is a new chapter taking form here in town, a new venue that promises to give the top clubs a run for the money and has the resources and vision to make it happen.

Down Esplanade way, NTUC has pumped over 1.2 million dollars into renovating the old Embassy Nightclub space, rechristening it DXO (Durian eXtra Old) making the interior more luxe, more sensual and more accessible, yet posh and upscale, but not just modish, because it has much more style than the current fashionable nightclubs.

When you walk into DXO you are entering a sanctuary for nightlife. There's definitely a mystique, and you can feel it in the decor and ambiance.

They've changed the entryway, and decked out the interior with soft cushy chairs and sofas, a Maya sounds system, a fully renovated patio upstairs, new stages for both bands and deejays, and more style than Frank Sinatra at the height of his Rat Pack days.

The first room has a full service bar, a dance floor, and a DJ who plays house and dance music.

You're welcomed into the glass-enclosed second floor by another full service bar, where you can look down on the dance floor, right at the oversized deejay booth and an elevated stage with a percussionist who plays along with the DJ.

Even with the music off, you can feel that this space is designed for sound, with tall vaulted ceilings and walkways that baffle the sound perfectly.

Those who want an even more private experience can utilize the VIP booth, or one of the other VIP areas. The menu includes martinis, wines, champagnes, and any spirit you want can be brought straight to your reserved table. Depending on your drink of choice, everything you need is brought out to your table: ice bucket, glasses, mixers, garnishes, etc.

It's definitely worth it because you can order the finest cognac, wines, and bottles of champagne. DXO has an extensive wine selection and just so you know, there's thousands of dollars worth of inventory in fine liquor in this bar, which means the good times never stop.

In addition, there's musicians who plays on stage on the outdoor second-floor patio, and dancers will be there there to entertain in the near future.

And for smoking bliss, also on the menu, there's a cigar room just for those who indulge in this luxury. Food and appetizers are also served and prepared by the chef and staff of the DXO.

But unlike many big venues which come and fail, they are going to bring the scene back to what it was when it all got started, by creating a pioneering nightclub for true alternative dance music featuring only the best names in the international deejay circuit.

House, trance house, dub house disco, Miami house and ... an entire genre of music that allows us to not just return to our roots but to bring our old and new friends the latest in music, art, dance and culture.

In the new space, a little bit of everything has changed. The primary focus for NTUC clubs has always been on the music and great service, and they have added what we believe to be two of the best DJs that exists on these shores; Godwin P and Jason T, these are DJs that consistently play what their customers want to hear and also then educate them about new music that is being broken all over the world.

Randy from Design Act (a local award-winning design firm) has been very successful in changing the interior and exterior themes of the club (check out the exterior, Singapore's only building painted black), and will continue to do so with innovative decor stylings, lighting, and the very best in sound systems.

I can honestly say that the decor in DXO is by far some of the best a nightclub in Singapore has ever had, they've created a space where people can really utilize their sense of style and still feel comfortable.

This club can only be described using a few of my favorite words "exclusive, exotic, innovative, and mystical". And since it's located in Singapore, it's almost too good for words.

More important than decor is the DXO family of bartenders, door staff and the crew who are passionate about delivering to Singapore a "nightclub experience" with no attitude.

They will focus just on making the scene thoroughly entertaining, with as few hassles as possible. We look forward to their roster of international top deejays and many a good time down Esplanade way...

Slow to take off? It's sure to fly high!

Text: Darren Ho

The new kid in town is DXO (we're still trying to figure out what it stands for, official sources say Durian XO) and everybody's talking about it. The rather disappointing thing is that everyone is just talking about it; nobody's actually there.

Over the weekend, we visited DXO twice, just to make sure that it wasn't a fluke (see, we make sure our claims have at least a semblance of accuracy), but the crowd was thin, as politely as I can put it.

Of course, I was seeing double after several tequila shots; that increased the number of people I appeared to see around the place. And subsequent visits did show there was quite a few people enjoying the space.

The Embassy was well known for its great atmosphere, and DXO has gone one further. Divided into the Loft, Nook, and Nest. It aims to provide everything for everyone. The Loft is for serious clubbers, with its DJs spinning great sets of tribal remixes and a funky dance floor that has plenty of space.

From the second storey, you can look down on the clowns on the dance floor. Literally. The Nook is an open-air thing with cushions and chill-out music to chat to; very laid-back and day-on-the-beach kind of thing. The Nest is more executive-like - wines all around an enclosed area and big leather armchairs which do kind of look out of place in a club.

But, futuristic furniture withstanding, DXO has a great environment, and you know that if it wasn't prejudice or whatever about it being an NTUC club, the place would be packed more often than just the nights they bring the best DJs to town. It's a great space where everyone is welcome, truly cosmo scene when it's going on.

I was surprised to find such a mix of ages, I honestly didn't think most 40 year olds would still be keen to jump around to wicked drum beats.

Still, their stamina should be applauded; they were on the dance floor for more than an hour, while others merely awkwardly shuffled their feet to the music. If you like great DJ-ing, then you shouldn't be waiting for the crowd to come in, you should be starting off the crowd! DXO, here we go!