Meet Calvin, a visionary food entrepreneur who has redefined the dining experience with his two vibrant restaurants featuring a ‘live’ entertainment concept. Combining a passion for great food and music, Calvin has created unique spaces where guests can savour delicious cuisine while enjoying the energy of ‘live’ performances.
With a commitment to food quality, ambience, and memorable experiences, his restaurants have become go-to destinations for food lovers and music enthusiasts alike, offering a perfect blend of culinary excellence and entertainment. Here is Calvin’s story.
What inspired you to venture into the restaurant industry, and how did you come up with the idea of combining dining with a ‘live’ performance experience?
My inspiration for venturing into the restaurant industry came from my early experiences and love for the vibrant F&B scene. Back in the day, my friends and I often hung out at bars and clubs, soaking in the energy of those environments.
One day, out of the blue, a friend asked if I’d ever consider starting something in F&B. I thought, ‘Why not?’ I had some grounding in the industry from my younger days—working as a waiter at Pizza Hut during school holidays and as a coffee boy at a hawker centre in Redhill. My journey truly began with a humble start: opening a char kway teow stall in an old MacPherson coffee shop.
Fifteen years ago, I had the opportunity to start a sports bistro bar, followed by a family karaoke darts bar with ‘live’ entertainment. From there, the idea of combining dining with a ‘live’ bar experience grew naturally. I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy great food and drinks while also immersing themselves in a lively, dynamic atmosphere—much like the places I loved to hang out in my youth, but with my own unique twist.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your first restaurant, and how did you overcome them?
Starting my first restaurant came with its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest was managing manpower—finding the right chefs and managers who shared my vision and passion for creating an exceptional dining experience. Building a reliable and cohesive team was crucial, but it required a lot of time and effort to get it right.
Another significant challenge was navigating the dynamics of working with my friends, who became my business partners. Transitioning from friendship to a professional relationship required clear communication, mutual respect, and the ability to separate personal matters from business decisions.
Ultimately, I overcame these challenges by being patient, staying adaptable, and focusing on fostering strong relationships—both within my team and with my partners. These early lessons taught me the importance of trust, collaboration, and the value of surrounding myself with people who are as committed to success as I am.
How do you ensure a seamless integration between the dining and ‘live’ entertainment aspects of your restaurants?
We focus on bringing together good food, great music, and awesome beverages in a way that feels natural. The menu complements the entertainment, and we time performances to fit peak dining hours. It’s all about creating a space where people can eat, drink, and enjoy ‘live’ entertainment effortlessly. As a result, diners return to the venue, bringing new friends, knowing they will enjoy the evening.
What strategies have you used to differentiate your restaurants from others in a competitive market?
Our strategy is built on fostering strong relationships—with regular customers, vendors, and our community. We never compromise on food quality and delivering good service, which keeps our patrons coming back.
Every day, we have back-of-house and front-of-house operations meetings during the off-peak hours to prevent miscommunication. Additionally, we leverage social media marketing and word of mouth to stay visible. Hosting unique events like corporate gatherings, boutique weddings, and musicals or comedy shows also sets us apart in a competitive market.
These early lessons taught me the importance of trust, collaboration, and the value of surrounding myself with people who are as committed to success as I am.
Can you share some of the ‘live’ performances that you have?
We offer a variety of ‘live’ performances with different themed nights from Monday to Saturday. Each evening brings something unique, from ‘live’ bands and acoustic sessions to DJ nights and comedy shows, ensuring there’s always something exciting for our guests to enjoy.
Can you share a memorable success story or milestone from your entrepreneurial journey?
A major milestone in my journey was opening a ‘live’ band venue at Suntec. Just two weeks after launching, COVID struck, and we had to endure two challenging years. But we persevered, and when 2022 arrived and restrictions lifted, it was a game-changer.
That year, business boomed, and we managed to recover everything we had lost. In 2023, with business thriving, many loyal customers encouraged me to open a second outlet. Inspired, I developed a new concept, pitched it to interested parties, and that’s how Reverie came to life. It’s been a major achievement, but I remain cautious—the market is still volatile, and we’re navigating uncertain times. Fingers crossed for what lies ahead!
What role does customer feedback play in shaping your business operations and entertainment offerings?
Customer feedback is vital to our success. It helps us maintain consistency in service and food quality, which are key to ensuring diners return. By listening to our patrons, we can continuously improve and tailor our offerings to meet their expectations.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to enter the restaurant or entertainment industry?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to put your heart and soul into the business. Be prepared to sacrifice holidays and work long hours. It’s essential to be hands-on and maintain a positive, never-give-up attitude. The F&B and entertainment industries are challenging, and success requires resilience—it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.
What are your future plans for your restaurants, and do you envision expanding the ‘live’ bar concept further?
Reverie is still young, only 11 months old, so right now, we’re focused on showcasing what we offer and growing our presence. We’re putting in the effort to make sure more people discover us. Of course, if the opportunity arises, expanding the ‘live’ bar concept is definitely something we’d consider—it’s a trend that I believe will remain popular for years to come.
Where do you see yourself, and what’s your vision for Singapore in the next five years?
In the next five years, I hope to expand and establish a chain of restaurants that offer ‘live’ entertainment. Personally, I hope to retire in F&B—it’s my life.
My vision is to build a strong legacy for the brand, creating a lasting impact on Singapore’s dining and entertainment scene.
Connect with Calvin: 93838969 and gstarcail@gmail.com
Reverie Live Music
9 Bras Basah Rd, #01-06, Singapore 189559
