Use by use
| Use | Licences, by name | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Food Shop Licence (SFA); Liquor Licence, Class 1A or 2A (Police) | None new in Kampong Glam or on Joo Chiat Road |
| Takeaway food shop | Food Shop Licence (SFA) | Add seats and it is a restaurant |
| Bar, pub, nightclub | Liquor Licence; past 11.59 pm, an Extension of Trading Hours (Police) | None new in Historic Conservation Areas, Boat Quay aside |
| Live music or dancing | Public Entertainment Licence (Police) | Refused in Historic Districts, Boat Quay aside |
| Office | None | In Historic District core areas, upper storeys only |
| Medical clinic | Healthcare Services Act licence (MOH) | URA counts TCM as a clinic |
| Massage, spa | Massage Establishment Licence (Police) | None new in Historic Conservation Areas or on Joo Chiat Road |
| Commercial school | MOE registration at 10 or more students at a time | Refused in Historic District core areas |
| Gym | None | Weights often need an engineer's floor-loading check |
The order to apply in
- Planning permission, from URA. First: the others ask for it.
- Fire safety, from SCDF, through the tenant's qualified person.
- Food shop licence, from SFA: S$195 a year.
- Liquor licence, from the Police: about three weeks.
- Public entertainment licence, from the Police, for live music, karaoke or dancing.
All are applied for on GoBusiness.
Liquor licence classes
| Class | Supply | Hours | Fee a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | All liquor, on the premises | 6 am to 11.59 pm | S$880 |
| 1B | All liquor, on the premises | 6 am to 10 pm | S$660 |
| 2A | Beer only, on the premises | 6 am to 11.59 pm | S$460 |
| 3A | Retail, for consumption elsewhere | 7 am to 10.30 pm | S$110 |
Questions
Can I open a bar in a conservation shophouse?
Not a new bar, pub or nightclub in a Historic Conservation Area, except on four Boat Quay streets: Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street.
How long does a liquor licence take?
About three weeks, and it needs the planning permission first.
Sources
- URA, use of buildings in conservation areas: ura.gov.sg
- SFA, food retail licences: sfa.gov.sg
- Singapore Police Force, types of liquor licences and fees: police.gov.sg
- Singapore Police Force, Extension of Trading Hours: police.gov.sg
- MHA, Boat Quay, Upper Circular Road and Clarke Quay measures: mha.gov.sg