Review: Saint James Power Station - MOVIDA

about movida
Immerse yourself in a refreshingly distinctive watering hole that is brimming with the atmosphere and charm of world music and its mpassng entertainment. Movida, meaning 'party' in Cuban street slang, is a venue that celebrates the spirit of world music spannnig from Caribbean samba to African drums, from Indian tabla to Cuban son, and from Brazilian hip hop to Middle Eastern Pop, served vt Live Musicians, DJs and other performers, providing a heterogeneousyet complementary selection of entertaniment.

Designed by Argentinean Ernesto Bedmar, the interior of Movida unfolds the essence of urban culture through its sleek minimalist outlook, reflecting a contemporary setting for the charm of groove to the infectious music on the dance floor, whichever suits your mood. In addition, tantalise your taste buds with exotic cocktails specially created to complete an enthralling fiesta at Movida, any night of the week!

operating hours
6pm - 3am, nightly, 7 nights a week

happy hour
6pm - 9pm nightly
* drinks are one-for-one during happy hour

showtimes
6.45pm onwards - Key of G band
9.30pm onwards - La Ranura band

minimum age
guys 21, gals 18
dress code: smart casual

location
St James Power Station
3 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098544
*Just before the gantry into Sentosa
website can be found HERE

Map to Movida can be found HERE

A couple of us took a short break from Union Square last week and went down to the St James Power Station, Movida to check out the place. Here's our take on the place:

music
The band was not too bad. It started slow, and as Movida is more a world music place, expect salsa songs to be limited and few. The La Ranura Band does seem to perform more salsa songs, especially once their 3 lead singers come onto stage. Before that, the band warms up the crowds with songs and some tunes.

dance floor
Like most clubs, the dance floor is small and limited. Floor isn't really meant for salsa dancing and it's not quite as smooth as those found in a salsa club. However, Movida isn't a salsa club to begin with.

Those who have learnt to adapt to Jackson's method of us toe-heel-toe for spinning would have a better chance of being able to perform controlled spins than those just spinning on the ball of the feet. Be weary though, as the tables are right next to the dance floor, and the dance floor width may be able to fit at max, two small couples dancing side by side from the tables to the stage.

For a quick judge of how big the floor is, the width of the dance floor is about the width from the tables to the bar at Union Square. The width would be about the length of the bar.

pocket damage
Cover charge happens after 9pm, costing $20 for guys and $15 for gals. Those who want to chill out before 9pm can get in for free, with drinks costing around $9++ (service charge, GST). Drinks at Movida during happy hour (6pm - 9pm) are ONE-for-ONE and last orders are usually taken by 8.50pm.

for a good Movida experience
If you're going in a BIG group, I would advice calling ahead to reserve. Calling before that day is possible, but they would not entertain if you are only reserving a table for 4 though. There is space for about 10 tables in front of the stage, and a couple more behind. There are also spaces to sit at both bars on either side of Movida.

For reservations, you can call the following number: 6270 7676

Service staff are also good and quite friendly. Expect "enthusiastic" service from the waiters / waitresses. I had my glass removed almost immediately and asked if I wanted another drink during peak hour and peanuts that were provided were refilled once it reaches quarter bowl. Depending on your order, drinks may take a little longer to arrive as the bar tends to serve the people sitting around the bar first, thus causing a slight delay in them attending to those sitting at the tables away from the bar.

crowd
The crowd there is more to chill than to really dance. The music is not too bad, but the crowd usually prefer to enjoy it in their seats. Unless you're into world music and a mixture of music, this place may not seem so suitable. In fact, the only people that actually took to the dance floor was Union people there to visit the club as well. The crowd only really started dancing when the DJ played R&B tracks after the band took a time-out.

final words
The place was a so-so and the band wasn't too bad. However, go there with an open mind as the place also doubles as an R&B place. Music is quite a mixture of all sorts of contemporary World music from past and now, with some remixes of more familiar tunes in the style of Jazz and Blues. If you're there specifically for salsa music, you would be sorely disappointed. But if you're there to just experience music as it is, this place would be an interesting place to chill and get a taste of other types of music too.

I found a video on YouTube from someone who was there at the Launch. You can take a look. Quality ain't really good, but the video will give you an idea of how much dance floor there is.

La Ranura Band

Originally from Paraguay, they have been performing in several cities of Paraguay and Argentina for the past 6 years, featured as the opening act of South America's well know bands such as Los Rancheros, Enanitos Verdes. The badn's muscial style include latin, chachacha, cumbia, salsa, merengue, son, folk etc, reggae, rock, pop, blues, afrosamba, rhythm, brazilian songs, marchinas and more.

Hi Justin

Location: Movida (St James Power Station at Vivo City)

I think you missed out 1 important points esp. for girls out there....

Guess what? Hahaha...

Personally, I feel the lead singer is quite handsome...

Anyway, it's just my opinions. Girls, don't scold me if you found him not up to your "taste"....b'cos "handsome" is in the eyes of beholder"...rite rite rite????

Of course, there are "hot n sexy" female singers there.

Check it out friends.

Joanne

Hahah, I thought reviewing the band members were yours and Alvin's job?