TST party hub of old reviving glory days

Club BBoss, a renowned nightlife destination in Tsim Sha Tsui in the 1980s and 90s, is to make a comeback as a sophisticated venue for entertainment, catering, meetings and exhibitions.

The ground floor and basement site of the 15-story New Mandarin Plaza on Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, which was occupied previously by the nightclub, has been leased to a consortium for a monthly rent of HK$1.4 million.

Insiders reveal the new tenant intends to operate a high-end karaoke bar rather than a basic nightclub, offering a stage for performances, bars, karaoke facilities and private suites across a total floor space exceeding 50,000 square feet.

Emphasizing privacy and targeting high-spenders as well as younger clientele, the club establishment aims to revive the golden era of Tsim Sha Tsui's nightlife.

After the nightclub closed in July 2012 the space was rented by Tycoon City, a tax-free shop catering to mainland tourists. But due to the pandemic the business closed a few years ago, leaving the site vacant.

Edwin Lee Kan-hing, founder of Bridgeway Prime Shop Fund Management, said the leasing signifies the new tenant's "strong confidence" in the future of Hong Kong.

"The monthly rent for the new tenant is HK$1.4 million compared with the HK$1.35 million paid by the old tenant's duty-free shop during the peak of the individual visit scheme in 2013, which saw the retail industry boom to a record high," Lee noted.

"The fact the new tenant is willing to pay a higher rent than the previous one means the new tenant believes Hong Kong will have a bright future."

Lee also said the massive floor space means the new tenant will have to invest at least HK$80 million for renovation.

"There are already discussions that the government will resume the multiple-entry permits for Shenzhen residents, which is expected to bring more tourists to Hong Kong, and Tsim Sha Tsui East is a big place that can easily attract spending," Lee said.

"There will be a lot of mainlanders flooding to Hong Kong, so it is extremely good news."

Timothy Chui Ting-pong, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, said entertainment venues are essential, but it might not do much to attract travelers to the city.

"Not all nightclub revelers will be tourists, but there might be a new business model by the new tenants," Chui said.

Club Bboss, known as one of the world's top luxurious Japanese-decor nightclubs, opened in December 1984 with a dance floor decorated with a replica of a Rolls-Royce car and big enough for 400 revelers.

At its peak the nightclub had over 1,000 hostesses - fluent in English and Japanese - who offered "hourly conversation service" to guests and could be taken out for an additional fee. They made the establishment a famous feature.

The decor was featured in 2002 comedy film Golden Chicken.

Many big names have visited over the years, including former deputy director of Xinhua news agency Li Chuwen, football players Fernando Morientes and Raul Meireles and former financial services sector legislator Chim Pui-chung.

Club Bboss was originally called Club Volvo, but the name prompted a copyright infringement litigation with the car manufacturer.

The two parties settled outside the courtroom with the nightclub compensating the carmaker with HK$1 million and changed its name to "Club Borubo." That is Japanese for the name Volvo.

Then it became Club Bboss, with the unstated meaning of "Big Boss."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com