My Perfect Weekend with nightlife and hospitality veteran Jason Strauss

Who: Mr Jason Strauss, a native New Yorker, is the co-chief executive of Tao Group Hospitality, which operates restaurants, nightclubs and lounges worldwide.

Together with Marina Bay Sands (MBS), Tao runs four Singapore outlets in the integrated resort – Italian restaurant and rooftop bar Lavo, nightclub Marquee, modern Japanese restaurant and sushi bar Koma and speakeasy lounge Avenue. All were opened in 2019, except for Lavo, which opened in 2018. Lavo, situated on the 57th floor of MBS, reopened in early September after a four-month renovation, with a new coastal-themed menu and decor. Mr Strauss was in Singapore for the reopening.

The 51-year-old bachelor, who has over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, splits his time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He also volunteers at US-based charity Inspiring Children Foundation and Tao’s philanthropic arm, Tao Group Hospitality Cares.

“We are in multiple cities, across different time zones and open until late at night. With more than 8,000 employees across our businesses, I feel a responsibility to show up for them from the moment I wake up to the minute I go to bed. That is what got me passionate about health and wellness, figuring out how I can optimise myself, so I have the energy and focus to keep up.

Even on weekends, which are always a mix of personal time and work, I like to keep some structure. I usually wake around 8.30am, start the day with water mixed with minerals, chlorophyll and amino acids, and then spend a few minutes on nasal breathing. It helps centre me and set the tone for the day. I’ll get in a workout before eating, usually some combination of cardio and strength training.

If I’m in Las Vegas, at midday, I’ll stop by Lavo to check in on our Saturday Party Brunch. It is such a signature experience we created in Las Vegas, and I’m really excited to see it launch at our newly refreshed location in Singapore.

Lately, a lot of my weekends have been spent on my new home in Las Vegas. I’m working with Stefan Relic and Paulo Valcic of Spain-based Rock&Villa Studio, who are making their US design debut with this project. Reviewing design choices has become part of my Saturday ritual.

Before heading out at night, I always make time to meditate. With the kind of energy our venues generate, it is important for me to recharge and reset. Meditation fills up my glass, so I can be fully present for the night ahead.

For dinner, I’ll usually meet friends in the arts district before stopping by one of our clubs in Las Vegas. We are about to unveil the next iteration of Marquee’s main room there, and I expect I’ll be spending a lot of time there in the near future.

At the end of the night, I wind down with chamomile tea and a few supplements.

Sundays follow a similar rhythm. I always start with water and sunlight, then breakfast – farm-to-table eggs with avocado, sauerkraut, sourdough and fruit.

I play padel four times a week, and one of those games will almost always fall on the weekend. I’ll also fit in some red-light therapy and a cold plunge, which I do once a week.

I like to wrap up Sunday by looking ahead and setting myself up for the week to come.”