New club in Nadi
The owner of the newly opened, White House Nightclub, Choon-Sik Jiong in the Karaoke Bar. Photo: LITA MATHEWSELL
By LITIA MATHEWSELL
Fiji’s very own ‘White House’ opened its ivory doors to the Nadi public on Thursday evening.
The White House Nightclub and Karaoke Bar is situated on the second floor of the RB Jetpoint complex along Nadi’s Martintar strip.
It was officially opened by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Land Force Commander, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, who welcomed the opening alongside musicians Seru Serevi and Laisa Vulakoro.
Behind Nadi Town’s popular Steps Nightclub, it’s the second club for owner Choon-Sik Jiong.
The up-market club boasts two separate houses for a main bar and karaoke club with outfitted electric lighting, a railed stage and four private rooms to cater for intimate parties.
95 per cent of the vibrant décor and swanky furnishings were imported from Mr Jiong’s native South Korea with the total investment costing $1.3 million.
It’s been a test of patience for Mr Jiong, whose application to open was initially rejected by authorities.
Surpassing all odds, the savvy businessman forged ahead with a goal to fill a particular niche in the Fijian night culture.
‘’I opened the White House to cater for the Asian night life. The Prime Minister has been working hard to attract Asian visitors to our tourism market but there isn’t a proper karaoke bar around, and that’s a big part of Asian night culture,’’ he said.
Furthermore, Martintar’s prime location in Nadi’s special tourism zone meant better operating hours and close proximity to backpack resorts, hotels and residential areas, surpassing the benefits of his other club in Nadi Town.
‘’This club should have been approved a long time ago. The Whitehouse in Washington is the top house in the world so I named this club that in the hope it becomes Fiji’s top club,’’ he said.
Mr Jiong migrated here in 1990 with his wife Telaite.
Their ingenuity is reflected in the clubs separate accommodation for all patrons and the string of international flags that pay homage to its international clientele.
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