A New BREW: Darker Than Wax’s Signature Day Party Reveals A Fresh Location After 6 Years

A throwback to when BREW expanded to the streets (Credit: Samy Foo)

There are few local scene phenomena that rumble the community like a BREW bash. Like the ingredients of your finely roasted cuppa, the components of Darker Than Wax’s signature fiesta gel harmoniously in perfect synchronicity. It’s an alfresco festivity that embraces club sounds outdoors rain or shine. Its streetside urban haunt gives it a communal and accessible appeal that never feels pedestrian. And it’s a sweeping showcase of the label’s sonic identity with its recurring roster of residents and crowd faves. BREW has always been an event for everyone. So with fresh news of its long-awaited return out of the oven, it’s a joyous reveal albeit one that’s a tad bittersweet.

The Chye Seng Huat Hardware courtyard holds a special place in the hearts of the Darker Than Wax community (Credit: Juan Qi An)

So to get the bad news out of the way, BREW will no longer be operating at Chye Seng Huat Hardware, the Jalan Besar hangout that housed the daytime affair for six years. The cafe’s courtyard was a dancefloor that can only be described as iconic. And it even became ground zero for Darker Than Wax’s expanded edition of BREW that turned the jamboree into a full-on block party that continues to be raved about to this day. The last BREW was held there earlier in April, and the label revealed that a battle with bureaucratic applications was the reason for the event’s departure from the venue. But while BREW’s old home will be missed, the scene is always about new beginnings and uncharted risks.

Ain’t no party like a BREW party (Credit: Samy Foo)

For now, Darker Than Wax welcomes you to the return of BREW on 9 December, and it’s found an equally trendy locale that could very well fit the bill. Hosting the next gig is the foyer space of Coop Coop, a new concept by the Grain Traders crew at Raw Kitchen Bar – yes, that hip enclave that’s seen it fair share of party happenings at 66 Kampong Bugis. For its debut at Coop Coop, the labelmates are going out in full force with the ensemble lineup of A’alely, Dean Chew, Dexter Colt, Daryl Knows, Kaye and Marco Weibel who’ll be swinging back from New York. If you’ve ever been to a BREW, you know there’s no telling what’ll spew outta their crates and catalogues, be it house, soul, bass or electronica. Like the event’s moniker, what’s certain is an all-in-one blend.

(Credit: Artwork by Natasha Hassan)

Darker Than Wax presents BREW, 9 December 2023, 4pm-10pm, Coop Coop, 66 Kampong Bugis, Singapore 338987. Get your tickets here, and follow their Instagram page for more updates.