Clarke Quay & Boat Quay Nightlife Boost: Bars May Serve Alcohol Until 4am on Thursdays & Fridays
From 18 August 2025, nightlife establishments in Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, and Upper Circular Road may enjoy later alcohol service hours on Thursday and Friday nights — part of a new one-year pilot aimed at revitalising Singapore’s iconic riverfront districts.
Jointly announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of National Development (MND), the move follows consultations with stakeholders, including the Singapore Nightlife Business Association and Singapore River One. Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan, along with Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam, shared the details during a media doorstop on 7 August.
Currently, liquor sales in these areas end at 3am on Thursdays and Fridays. Under the pilot, eligible liquor licensees with proper planning permissions may apply to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for approval to extend sales until 4am, matching existing Saturday and public holiday eve hours.
More Than Just Later Last Orders
The nightlife boost isn’t limited to extended drinking hours. The government is also inviting proposals for new bars, pubs, and nightclubs along Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street. Approved concepts could receive Temporary Permission for up to three years during the trial.
Additionally, a popular pre-pandemic feature is making a comeback: Circular Road will once again be transformed into a car-free zone every Friday and Saturday night, as well as on the eve of public holidays. This aims to create a safer and more vibrant pedestrian-friendly environment, boosting foot traffic for businesses.
Balancing Vibrancy with Safety
Officials stress that the pilot will be closely monitored. Authorities and local stakeholders are expected to step up private security and implement infrastructural measures to maintain order. Singapore River One will support security patrols, while businesses are urged to take a proactive role in ensuring the area remains safe.
The Singapore River precinct — comprising Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, and Robertson Quay — has been undergoing a steady transformation. Clarke Quay’s entertainment hub, CQ @ Clarke Quay, completed a major refurbishment in April 2024, while Robertson Walk is currently being redeveloped into a mixed-use lifestyle and residential complex set for completion in 2028.
Minister Shanmugam summed up the government’s stance: “We want the place to be vibrant… as much relaxation as possible, but we will assess the law-and-order situation to ensure it doesn’t get out of hand.”
If this trial succeeds, it could set the stage for a more permanent extension of nightlife hours in one of Singapore’s most famous entertainment districts — a move that may also strengthen tourism, hospitality, and F&B revenues in the city’s bustling riverfront zone.