How to Obtain a Liquor License in Singapore

If you plan to sell or serve alcohol in Singapore, you need a liquor license before you make your first sale. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) issues eight license classes under this category. The class you apply for determines what you can sell, whether on-site consumption is permitted, and how late your establishment operates.

Each class also comes with its own fee structure and approval conditions, so it pays to understand the differences before you apply. This guide outlines the key steps to obtaining a liquor license in Singapore. We’ll explore how the classes work, who can hold the license, and how to ensure a smooth application process.

What is a Liquor License in Singapore?

Any business that sells or supplies alcohol in Singapore must hold a valid liquor license. By definition, any beverage that contains more than 0.5% ethanol by volume is classified as liquor under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. This covers beer, wine, spirits, soju, sake, and cocktails. 

The Act also defines "supply" broadly to include selling, serving, forwarding, and delivering alcohol. If money or any form of consideration is exchanged for alcohol, a license is required.

Licenses are issued and regulated by the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Operating without one carries a fine of up to SGD 20,000. Repeat offenders face the same fine plus up to three months' imprisonment.

Types of Liquor Licenses in Singapore

The SPF issues liquor licenses across eight classes. Each class defines the type of liquor you can sell, whether consumption is on-site or off-site, and the permitted trading hours.

On-Premise Licenses (Classes 1 and 2)

Class 1A is the standard for bars, pubs, and nightclubs operating past 10 PM. Class 1B suits restaurants and cafes, particularly in residential areas where the SPF limits late-night activity to reduce noise. Classes 2A and 2B cover beer-only establishments, with Class 2B applying to smaller stalls with hours specified on the license itself.

Off-Premise and Wholesale Licenses (Classes 3 and 4)

Classes 3 and 4 cover businesses that sell alcohol for consumption elsewhere, rather than on-site. Class 3A applies to retail bottle shops and online alcohol delivery services, while Class 3B covers beer-only retail operations.

Both allow delivery beyond the standard 10:30 PM cut-off, provided the drop-off point is a non-public location such as a residential home, private office, or hotel room. Class 4 is reserved for wholesale operations supplying other businesses rather than end consumers.

Temporary Licenses (Class 5)

A Class 5 license is designed for events and pop-ups running up to 30 consecutive days. It is not valid across non-consecutive dates. A two-weekend festival, for example, requires a separate application for each period.

Fees for a Class 5 license scale with duration. Prices start from SGD 22 (~USD 17) for a single day, SGD 44 (~USD 35) for two to seven consecutive days, scaling up to SGD 220 (~USD 173) for the full 30-day maximum. For businesses testing a concept before committing to a permanent license, this is a cost-effective starting point.

Emerhub’s local advisors can verify the types of licenses for your business in Singapore and handle the application process on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your needs today.

Eligibility Requirements for Foreigners to Obtain an Alcohol License in Singapore

Before you apply, you need to have a registered local entity and a licensee who meets the SPF's residency and character requirements. Your choice of premises is also crucial, as certain locations carry restrictions that affect which licence class you can hold. 

Register a Local Entity

You must have a company registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). Foreign shareholders can own 100% of a Singapore-incorporated company, but the liquor license itself must be held by a "Fit and Proper" person (see section below).

The SPF generally requires that the individual be a Singapore Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Employment Pass (EP) holder. A foreign director on a valid EP can hold the licence directly. If you are an offshore investor without a Singapore presence, you will need to appoint a local director or senior manager to hold it on behalf of the business.

The "Fit and Proper" Criteria

The Licensing Board runs a background check on the proposed licensee. A criminal record, or a history of managing businesses that repeatedly breached police regulations, will likely result in rejection. If the proposed licensee fails the check, the application is rejected, and you’ll have to submit a new one with a different individual.

Secure URA Approval for Your Premises

Two separate location checks apply before you commit to a premises:

1. URA planning permission: A zoning clearance from the Urban Redevelopment Authority confirming that the space is approved for your intended business activity. A unit zoned for retail may not be cleared for food and beverage use. Without the correct planning permission, your liquor licence application will not proceed, regardless of everything else being in order.
2. Liquor Control Zone (LCZ): The SPF designates certain areas as LCZs, typically in high-footfall or residential-adjacent neighbourhoods. Within an LCZ, alcohol sales in public areas are prohibited between 10:30 PM and 7:00 AM, and additional restrictions may apply even to licensed premises inside the zone. 

A location can have valid URA approval and still sit within an LCZ. Confirm both before you sign a tenancy agreement to avoid committing to a space that limits your operating hours or licence class.

How to Apply for a Liquor License in Singapore

Singapore processes liquor license applications through the GoBusiness portal. It is efficient, but you must be meticulous with your documentation. Our local advisors manage the end-to-end process on your behalf, from incorporation to coordination with local authorities and issuance. Here’s an overview of the application process: 

1. Incorporate your company. You must be registered with ACRA using the correct business activity (e.g. food and beverage or liquor retail). Our team can verify the applicable SSIC codes and handle the registration.
2. Secure your premises. A tenancy agreement or letter of offer is mandatory, along with URA planning permission for the intended use. We can confirm whether the address falls within a Liquor Control Zone and coordinate with the URA before you commit.
3. Prepare a floor plan. The SPF may require a layout of the premises, particularly for on-premise licenses. This should indicate the areas where alcohol will be served or stored.
4. Identify the licensee. The NRIC or FIN of the proposed licensee must be on file. This individual must meet the residency and fit-and-proper criteria covered above. If the background check fails, the application is rejected, and a new submission is required with a different licensee.
5. Submit through GoBusiness. All requirements must be submitted to the GoBusiness Platform together with an SGD 520 application fee.
6. Allow for the review period. The SPF typically takes around 12 working days for straightforward applications. Site inspections or neighbourhood objections can extend this timeline to several weeks.
7. Pay the license fee upon approval. The amount depends on the license class as detailed above and whether you are applying for a one- or two-year term.

Post-Liquor License Compliance

Holding a liquor license in Singapore is an ongoing responsibility. The SPF sets clear standards for how licensed premises must operate, and enforcement is active in high-footfall areas.

The 10:30 PM Public Consumption Rule

While your patrons can drink inside your bar until your license expires, the sidewalk outside is a public space. Under the 2015 Act, drinking in public is prohibited from 10:30 PM to 7:00 AM. If your customers step outside for a smoke with a beer in hand after 10:30 PM, you are in breach. Regular police patrols monitor this strictly in nightlife hubs.

Extensions of Operating Hours

Class 1A license holders can apply to extend service beyond midnight, up to 1:00 AM or 2:00 AM, or later for nightclubs. However, bear in mind approval is not guaranteed. The SPF considers the venue's track record, including whether noise complaints have been lodged against the address in the preceding six months.

Sales to Minors

Singapore sets the legal drinking age at 18, and the SPF enforces it firmly. A licensed establishment that sells alcohol to anyone under 18 can be fined up to SGD 5,000 for a first offence, with repeat violations risking higher fines and licence suspension. 

Since January 2024, the same prohibition applies to online sales. Supplying alcohol to minors through e-commerce platforms or telecommunication services carries penalties of up to SGD 10,000. Every staff member who handles a transaction is responsible for verifying a customer's age before serving alcohol.

Transfers and Concept Changes

A liquor license cannot be transferred to another person or company. If a business changes hands, the new owner must apply for a fresh license. Similarly, a material change in business concept, such as converting a quiet eatery into a late-night bar, requires notifying the SPF and potentially reapplying under a different license class.

Renewing a Liquor License in Singapore

Liquor licences are issued for one or two years and must be renewed before they lapse. The SPF typically sends a renewal notice in advance, but the responsibility to renew on time rests with the licence holder. Renewal is processed through the same GoBusiness portal and requires confirmation that the business details, licensee, and premises have not materially changed. If your track record during the licence period has been clean, the process is generally straightforward.

How Emerhub Supports Your Liquor License Application in Singapore

Emerhub advises businesses on entity setup, licensing, and ongoing compliance across Singapore and Southeast Asia. For liquor license applications, this covers company incorporation, ACRA activity alignment, GoBusiness submission, and coordination with the SPF through to issuance and renewals. For businesses planning multi-outlet operations or event-based licensing, our team can structure the application strategy to minimize delays and avoid common rejection points.

Ready to secure your liquor license? Contact us today to discuss how we can support your application.