Singapore has never been known as a party city. Compared to nearby cities such as Bangkok, Seoul or Hong Kong, many would say Singapore’s nightlife is subdued. This would have been true before the COVID-19 pandemic doused any remnant sparks Singapore’s nightlife had.
In a “revitalisation” effort, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Ministry of National Development (MND) issued a joint press release, mainly extending the liquor trading hours in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay to 4am the following day on Thursday and Friday nights.
But, will this move really revitalise Singapore’s nightlife or will it be another headline-friendly tweak to a problem that’s much more complex to solve.
Singapore’s Nightlife Has Been In Decline
One statistic that caught our attention was that Singapore’s nightlife earnings fell nearly 60% from $674.7 million in 2015 to $284.7 million in 2022. We could not find this number on the Department of Statistics website, but it was published on CNA using it as a source. It would be interesting to know how the numbers changed after 2022, but we are not hopeful that it rebounded very strongly.
Within an industry that’s lost nearly 60% of its revenue in under 10 years, it’s hard to fathom that extended alcohol sales hours will make a big dent in the trend.
Afterall, the same press release also noted that liquor can already be sold up till 3 am (on the following day) on Sundays and weekdays, and 4 am (on the following day) on Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays.
Nevertheless, the press release does demarcate the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay areas as the place to be for any nightlife businesses.
Pandemic Scars Still Felt
During the pandemic in 2020 to about 2022, the government stepped in with strong support measures for businesses and workers. When the economy stabilised, they provided ongoing targeted support measures for the retail, aviation and domestic travel sectors.
The nightlife sector was largely ignored – left to fend for itself despite being decimated. Many bars and clubs faced prolonged closures – forcing owners to burn through reserves or shut for good. Employees in the nightlife sector were similarly forced to pivot to other sectors with better prospects.
While it can be argued that Singapore’s nightlife was never fantastic in the first place, this would have only accelerated its decline.
Read Also: Nightlife Businesses: The Forgotten Sector In Singapore
Alcohol In Singapore Is Among The Most Costly In The World
Alcohol in Singapore is among the priciest in the world. This is a major killer for nightlife establishments, and especially so since our neighbouring countries are able to sell alcohol for much cheaper.
The Music May Play A Little Longer, But It Will Take Much More To Bring The Dance Floor Alive
This 1-year pilot to extend alcohol sales hours at least acknowledges nightlife as part of Singapore’s urban fabric and something that should not be ignored. Having a longer alcohol sales window may breathe some much-needed life into Singapore’s nightlife scene.
For businesses, this can mean higher bar tabs, more dining spend, and possibly extra business for peripheral sectors such as taxis and late-night eateries. As precincts, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay could have momentum to reclaim some of their old buzz if enough venues take part.
But, the sector’s struggles run deeper than early closing hours. Without confronting high costs, shifting social habits, and the decades-long shadow of neglect, extra alcohol sales hours could end up as little more than a late-night footnote.
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