SPF Liquor Licence Classes Explained

The four classes that cover most F&B concepts

●      Class 1A — for bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Covers supply of liquor for consumption on the licensed premises, trading hours 6am to 11:59pm. Annual fee: $880.

●      Class 1B — the standard for restaurants and cafés, particularly in residential areas where SPF limits late-night activity. Same on-premises consumption as 1A, but trading hours cut off at 10pm. Annual fee: $660.

●      Class 2A — beer only, for consumption on the premises, trading hours 6am to 11:59pm. Annual fee: $460.

●      Class 2B — beer only, smaller stalls, with trading hours as specifically stated on the licence itself rather than a fixed window. Annual fee: $285.

The pattern is straightforward once you see it: 1A and 1B cover full liquor ranges, 2A and 2B are beer-only. The letter (A vs B) generally tracks how late you're allowed to trade — A classes run later than their B counterparts.

The classes most F&B founders don't know exist

Beyond the four above, SPF also issues:

●      Class 3A / 3B — for retail sale of liquor (3A) or beer (3B) for consumption away from the licensed premises, including online delivery. These allow delivery beyond the standard 10:30pm cutoff, provided the drop-off is a non-public location such as a private home or hotel room.

●      Class 4 — wholesale, for supplying other businesses rather than end consumers.

●      Class 5 — a temporary licence for events and pop-ups running up to 30 consecutive days, at $22 per day.

Most F&B operators never need to think about 3A, 3B, or 4. But if your concept includes a retail bottle shop element, delivery beyond standard hours, or a temporary pop-up ahead of your permanent opening, these are worth knowing about.

Who can actually apply

●      Your business must generally be registered with ACRA (the exception is Class 2B applications, or applications on behalf of a registered society)

●      The applicant must be a Singapore Citizen, PR, or FIN holder, and must be the director, partner, or sole proprietor of the applying entity

●      SPF assesses whether you're "fit and proper" — this weighs any prior convictions or investigations, your track record with any previous licences, and your cooperation with police in past matters

Decisions typically come through around three weeks from a complete application, assuming all supporting documents are submitted correctly the first time.

Where this intersects with your unit

It's worth knowing that your liquor licence application will require supporting documentation including URA planning permission or HDB lodgement — so this is another thread that connects back to Change of Use. If your unit's permitted use doesn't cover the kind of trading hours or activity you're planning, that gets flagged here too, not just at the SFA stage.

This is also distinct from a Public Entertainment Licence, which is a separate SPF approval required if your concept involves live music, DJs, or late-night entertainment on top of alcohol service. We've written separately about how PEL applications get rejected and what to do about it — worth reading together with this if your concept is bar or nightlife-adjacent.

Getting the class right matters more than getting the licence at all. A Class 1B restaurant that later wants to extend to Class 1A hours has to go through a regular or ad-hoc extension application — it's not automatic, and it's not instant. Plan for the hours you actually intend to trade, not just the minimum you think you need to open.

Where we come in

Liquor and Public Entertainment licensing is a cornerstone of getting your restaurant, bar or nightclub concept off the ground. We've done some of our most demanding work here, including resolving a Public Entertainment Licence that had previously been rejected elsewhere before we secured extended trading hours for the venue. Connect with us to learn how you can comply with requirements and get your outlet fully licensed.