fun is the night
Going to the club becomes high entertainment at Pagoni, in Johor Bahru. The three-storey building is home to a fantastical array of attractions, opening with a peacock and peahen, and cheongsam-clad receptionists welcoming guests at the entrance. Pagoni’s proprietor Ben Yeoh, a 13-year veteran of the entertainment scene in Johor Bahru, had sought to upgrade his previous outlet Aruku to something wildly dramatic.
“I wanted to have a space which would offer plenty of entertainment value, big shows and a real sense of destination for our clients,” Yeoh says. For this, he travelled the region seeking inspiration. He returned to his home city bursting with new ideas, including one of laser-cut copper furniture and peacocks.
When Pagoni officially debuted in May – Pagoni means peacock in Greek – the 30,000 square foot space showcased those copper dreams by the tonnes. Its swanky atmosphere, burnished by reflective surfaces and peacock hues, is furnished with bespoke tables and stools, all laser cut and specially made for the establishment. The space’s combination of 100 per cent chengal hardwood floors are augmented by the wall artworks of artists from the nearby Pinewood studios, while a sake bar hints at the more esoteric pursuits of its clients.
In this space, up to 800 partygoers may be accommodated with a combination of its first-floor lounge and second floor bar with high seating. Private VIP areas cater for up to 25 people, with specially appointed PR managers available for private celebrations and parties. A total of five karaoke rooms include one which houses 100 people quite comfortably, with an 80-inch screen and snooker table. Inside of its jet-black washrooms, guests will pick up on a refreshing citrus scent which is designed to revitalise the inebriated.
Its small plates menu boasts specialities such as the popular unagi don with foie gras, Osetra caviar, grilled abalone, Alaskan king crab and lobsters while the drinks menu runs the gamut of fine wines, brandies, whiskies and white spirits with particular highlights such as Martell’s top-of-the-line L’Or cognac, Royal Salute 21 Years (RM6,688 for nine bottles) and the tantalisingly crisp Perrier-Jouet (RM3,688 for nine bottles).
To match the seriously impressive hardware, is a revolving roster of shows which bring the venue to life. Russian aerialists and Ukranian acrobats feature on the show list as do Taiwanese jugglers, magicians and Korean dancers. Just recently, the Asia Got Talent 2017 winner Sacred Riana illusionist act made its first Malaysia appearance. For Ben, these international acts – which alternate with live bands and deejays on weekends – usually show first in Pagoni, as their first landfall in Malaysia, with their contracts stipulating that they do not show elsewhere 30 days after their appearance there.
“It is important for us to maintain that idea of exclusivity,” Yeoh says. “We are doing so many things for the first time, which we have to get it exactly right.” This also extends to the aforementioned peacock and peahen couple, who live in a temperature optimised enclosure, with zookeepers paying regular visits to check on their health and ensure they get the requisite sunlight.
