Legal Drinking Age And Drinking-Related Laws In Singapore

Singapore has some of the strictest laws regulation the sale, purchase and consumption of alcohol. These include laws that restrict the sale and purchase of alcohol to underage persons, as well as laws related to drink-driving.

This article aims to provide an overview of some of these laws and regulations.

Legal Drinking Age

The legal drinking age in Singapore is 18 years old. This means that only persons aged 18 years and above are able to buy and/or consume alcoholic beverages in premises licensed to sell alcohol (such as restaurants and supermarkets) in Singapore.

Legal Drinking Age in Clubs 

There are no laws stipulating the minimum age to enter clubs. Clubs usually set their own rules as to the minimum age for entry, ranging from 18 years old to 23 years old.

However, since clubs sell alcohol and allow the consumption of alcohol on their premises, the minimum age to enter clubs is 18 and above.

You should check the minimum age rules of each club before heading down. Clubs usually require proof of age before they permit entry. You may be asked to show a form of identification (e.g. identity card, driver’s licence) as proof of your age.

Do note that possessing a fake identification card or form of ID is a criminal offence under section 474 of the Penal Code. A person convicted of this offence of forgery can be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined.

Supply & Sale of Alcohol 

It is illegal for licensed liquor sellers to sell alcoholic beverages to any person below the age of 18, or allow an underage person to consume alcohol in their licensed premises. Sellers who do so may be guilty of an offence under regulation 37 of the Customs (Liquors Licensing) Regulations, and be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $5,000.

In addition, as of January 2024, persons or businesses – including e-commerce platforms – who supply liquor to persons under 18 years old online or through telecommunication services will be guilty of an offence under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) (Liquor Licensing) Regulations. Offenders can face a fine of up to $10,000.

These persons and businesses are also required to warn individuals under 18 years old that it is an offence for them to buy liquor and inform them of the penalty for doing so.

Purchase of Alcohol 

Can I buy alcohol if I’m below 18 years of age?

It is an offence for an underage individual (i.e. an individual who is younger than 18 years) to buy or attempt to buy alcohol. Likewise, a person also commits an offence if they buy alcohol for consumption by an underage individual.

Offenders can face a fine of up to $10,000.

Can I buy food products containing alcohol after 10.30pm?

Food products containing more than 0.5% alcohol can be purchased after 10.30pm. Such food products may include rum & raisin ice cream, liquor-infused chocolate and cooking wine.

Unlike alcoholic beverages, such food products have been exempted from liquor licensing requirements as they are unlikely to lead to alcohol abuse.

Individuals below 18 may also buy food products containing alcohol, such as alcoholic ice cream.

Consumption of Alcohol 

Drinking in public places 

A public place is defined as a place which the public may freely access, even if such access requires a fee or can be restricted from time to time. These include void decks and parks, but do not include restaurants or pubs.

The Liquor (Supply and Consumption) Act prohibits the consumption of alcohol in public places as well as the sale of alcohol from retail outlets between 10.30pm and 7am.

Liquor Control Zones

Certain areas including Little India and Geylang Serai are specified as Liquor Control Zones and are subject to further restrictions. Liquor Control Zones are defined as areas in Singapore that carry a significant risk of public disorder associated with the consumption of alcohol.

Within these zones, alcohol consumption restrictions apply during weekends and public holidays. There are also additional restrictions for retail sale of take-away liquor, which starts from 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and eves of public holidays, instead of 10.30pm.

Offences committed within the Liquor Control Zones will result in a penalty of one and a half times that in non-designated areas.

Read our other article for more information on liquor control laws in Singapore.

Are there restrictions on consumption of alcohol at home?

Drinking at home is not regulated under the Liquor (Supply and Consumption) Act. There are no legal restrictions if you consume liquor privately in your home.

Drink-Driving

Under the Road Traffic Act, it is a criminal offence to drive while under the influence of alcohol (i.e. drink-driving).

Specifically, you will be guilty of the offence of drink-driving if you:

1. are unfit to drive under the influence of alcohol to the extent you are incapable of having proper control of the vehicle; or
2. exceed the prescribed alcohol limit.

The prescribed alcohol limit is:

• 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath
• 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

First-time offenders can face up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a fine of between $2,000 and $10,000, while repeat offenders face up to 2 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $5,000 to $20,000.

Offenders may also be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles – in the case of a first offence, the disqualification will be for at least 2 years. In the case of a second offence, offenders can be disqualified for at least 5 years, while in the case of a third or more offence/conviction, offenders can be disqualified for life.

Read more about the penalties and sentences for drink-driving in Singapore.

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It is important to keep in mind the various laws and regulations governing the sale, purchase and consumption of alcohol in Singapore. In addition, do note the harsh penalties that you may face if you were to drive under the influence of alcohol, which is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act.

If you believe that you or your loved one may have a problem with alcohol dependence, please seek help. There are several agencies that can provide help, such as:

• The National Addiction Management Service (NAMS)
• We Care Community Services
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• AI-Anon Meetings