S’pore Police Remind Public Drinking After 10.30pm Is Illegal, Netizens Claim Coffee Shops Still Allow It

The Ang Mo Kio North Neighbourhood Police Centre has reminded the public that drinking alcohol in public places after 10.30pm is an offence, prompting an online discussion about how consistently the rules are enforced.

Under Singapore’s Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, public drinking is generally prohibited between 10.30pm and 7am. First-time offenders can face fines of up to S$1,000, while repeat offenders may face fines of up to S$2,000 and imprisonment of up to three months.

However, the reminder attracted comments from residents who claimed that late-night drinking remained common at coffee shops around Singapore.

Netizens Claim People Continue Drinking After 10.30pm

Some commenters questioned whether the rules were being enforced consistently, with several claiming that they had seen patrons drinking at coffee shops well past the cut-off time.

One commenter suggested that some establishments continued serving customers who had purchased their drinks before 10.30pm, allowing them to finish their beer later into the night.

Another claimed that people could still be seen drinking at coffee shops after closing hours, raising questions about how the regulations applied in such situations.

Others expressed frustration over what they perceived to be inconsistent enforcement, with one commenter saying they had never personally witnessed anyone being caught despite the restrictions having been in place for years.

These were individual accounts shared online and do not establish how frequently the law is enforced across Singapore.

Some Suggest Ways To Continue Drinking

The discussion also produced several tongue-in-cheek suggestions from netizens about getting around the restriction.

One commenter joked about transferring beer into a large water bottle after 10.30pm, while another suggested putting a beer bottle inside a plastic bag and taking it home to continue drinking.

Others argued that purchasing beer before the cut-off time should allow them to consume it whenever they wanted, although this is not how the public drinking restriction works.

Under the law, the key issue is where and when the alcohol is consumed, rather than simply when it was purchased. Buying beer before 10.30pm does not exempt someone from the restriction on drinking in public after that time.

Different Rules Apply In Designated Liquor Control Zones

The general prohibition on public drinking applies from 10.30pm to 7am. However, designated Liquor Control Zones are subject to additional restrictions.

In these zones, which include parts of Little India and Geylang, public drinking restrictions can begin earlier or extend over longer periods, particularly during weekends and the eves of public holidays.

The law is intended to help manage alcohol-related public disorder and maintain public safety. Licensed premises, including pubs and clubs, operate under their applicable licensing conditions and are subject to the relevant regulatory requirements.

The online discussion highlights how a straightforward reminder of the law can prompt wider questions about compliance and enforcement.

For members of the public, the key point remains that drinking alcohol in a public place after the permitted hours can constitute an offence, even if the person believes they are drinking quietly and not disturbing anyone.

Image Source: AMK NPC