The founder and former owner of iconic nightspot Zouk has been charged with drink driving and dangerous driving, Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao reported yesterday.

Lincoln Cheng, 69, is accused of driving while intoxicated at midnight on Feb 16 this year along Eu Tong Sen Street towards Upper Cross Street.

Cheng allegedly had at least 43 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The prescribed limit is 35 mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

If convicted of drink driving for the first time, he can be jailed for up to six months or fined between $1,000 and $5,000.

The nightlife stalwart has also been charged over an incident in 2015 where he allegedly drove through a red light at the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Kreta Ayer Road, and hit a taxi that was turning right into Eu Tong Sen Street.

For a first offence of reckless or dangerous driving, he could be fined up to $3,000 or jailed for up to a year or both. The case will be mentioned again on Thursday.

Cheng sold Zouk to casino and cruise-line conglomerate Genting Hong Kong in 2015.

He was at the club's helm for more than 20 years before selling it for an undisclosed amount.

Last December, the nightlife establishment moved from its former location in Jiak Kim Street to Clarke Quay.

Calvin Yang