When St James club’s policy to allow free entry only for foreign students made the news, some said that, as a private establishment, St James is free to do as it pleases. So, they reckoned that one should not complain and just avoid that place if one is unhappy with the policy.
Following the furore, St James has removed that policy (whether they extended free entry to local students or removed free entry for foreign students, i actually dunno).
So, while it is common to say that pte companies could do as they pleased, or that we could vote with our feet, a little communication between the parties involved may just get a better solution for the disgruntled party. Whether you want to patronise an establishment with that mindset to start off with is up to you.
Of course, it helps if your disgruntlement is on the front page of a local daily 