Bars, restaurants required to display notices of permitted alcohol sale, consumption hours from March 1

SINGAPORE — From March 1, liquor licensees such as bars and restaurants will have to display prominent notices within their licensed premises to notify customers of their permitted liquor trading hours.

The police and the Ministry of Home Affairs have reviewed the regulatory requirements for the supply of liquor at licensed premises, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on Monday (Jan 30).

Under the new requirement, SPF said that all Class 1A, Class 1B, Class 2A and Class 2B liquor licensees will have to display – legibly and in English – one or more notices within their licensed premises.

The notices must contain the following information: The liquor trading hours applicable to the licensee; that any supply or consumption of liquor within the licensed premises is not allowed outside of these liquor trading hours; and that any consumption of liquor within the licensed premises outside of these liquor trading hours may be an offence.

The notices must be conspicuously displayed in prominent places and be numerous enough to ensure that the rules are brought to the attention of customers at the premises, the police said.

Suggested places to display the notices include all entrances of the premises, common areas such as ordering points and washrooms, and any area that is easily visible. Notices can also be placed at every table and bar counter.

A breach of the new requirement carries a fine of up to S$10,000, SPF said, adding that all Class 1A, Class 1B, Class 2A, and Class 2B liquor licensees have been notified about the new requirement.

There is no change in rules for liquor consumption at licensed premises – the new notices will serve to highlight the current rules under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015.

These rules allow liquor licensees to supply liquor only within their licensed premises and only during applicable liquor trading hours.

Any licensee who supplies liquor and allows the consumption of liquor outside the applicable liquor trading hours faces a fine of up to S$10,000.

SPF reminded members of the public that alcohol can only be consumed at licensed premises during stipulated hours.

"Police will take action under Section 12(1) of the Act against patrons who claim ignorance of the liquor trading hours and are found drinking in the licensed premises after the liquor trading hours," SPF said.

"Offenders may be liable to a fine of up to S$1,000. Repeat offenders may be liable to face a fine of up to S$2,000, to imprisonment of up to three months, or both." CNA

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