# Bars in Novena

Bars in Singapore need a police liquor licence, and the law bans drinking in public places from 10.30pm to 7am – licensed bars can keep serving within their licence hours, but you cannot take drinks outside. Geylang and Little India are Liquor Control Zones with stricter weekend rules. Most bar prices are "++" (about 19.9% extra).

## Key facts
- Listings: 21
- Matched to a government licence/register: 1
- Median years in business: 7

## Licences
- **Liquor Licence** (Singapore Police Force (Police Licensing & Regulatory Department), required): Any outlet selling alcohol for consumption on or off the premises needs a liquor licence, which sets its permitted supply hours. Sale to anyone under 18 is an offence for the licensee. Check: https://www.police.gov.sg/e-Services/Police-Licences/Liquor-Licence
- **Food Shop Licence (SFA)** (Singapore Food Agency (SFA), required): Every restaurant, cafe, bakery, stall and food court outlet selling food to the public must be licensed by SFA. Since 19 Jan 2026 the licence carries a SAFE grade (A, B, C or NEW) based on the outlet's food-safety track record; scan the QR code on the displayed licence to see it. Check: https://go.gov.sg/sfa-track-records
- **Public Entertainment Licence (PEL)** (Singapore Police Force (Public Entertainments Licensing Unit), required): Required under the Public Entertainments Act for karaoke outlets, live music, amusement centres, billiard saloons and computer-games centres open to the public. Operating without one can draw a fine of up to $20,000. Check: https://www.police.gov.sg/Business-E-Services/Apply-for-Public-Entertainment-Licence/Overview-of-Public-Entertainment-Licence

## How to choose
- Check whether prices are nett or "++"; happy-hour boards are often pre-tax.
- If you smoke, ask before booking: smoking is banned in all areas of entertainment outlets, including outdoor areas, except approved smoking corners, and NEA stopped approving new outdoor smoking corners in 2017.
- Bring physical ID – the legal age to buy alcohol is 18 and licensees can be fined for selling to under-18s, so many bars check.
- Bars in Geylang and Little India face Liquor Control Zone limits: no public drinking from 7am Saturday to 7am Monday, and from 7pm on public-holiday eves.
- For groups, ask about minimum spend, bottle packages and whether the area is a cover-charge zone on event nights.

## Red flags
- Staff offering takeaway drinks after 10.30pm to drink on the street – consumption in public places is illegal then.
- Unclear pricing on bottle packages or cover charges.
- No liquor licence displayed.

## Listings (top 21)
- [Harry's](https://lookup.sg/biz/harrys-novena), Novena · #01-59/60 Velocity@Novena · 2 min walk from Novena MRT · SFA licensed
- [Las Palmas Rooftop Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/las-palmas-rooftop-bar), Novena · 99 Irrawaddy Rd Level 33 Courtyard Marriott Singapore · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [TANI Bistro & Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/tani-bistro-and-bar), Novena · 20 Ah Hood Rd #01-19 Zhongshan Mall · 8 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Grub Burger + Noodle Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/grub-burger-noodle-bar), Novena · 31 Ah Hood Rd · 5 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Crystal Tavern](https://lookup.sg/biz/crystal-tavern), Novena · 157 Thomson Rd · 3 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2012
- [Wolfbay Bistro and Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/wolfbay-bistro-and-bar), Novena · 221 Balestier Rd, Rocca Balestier · 11 min walk from Farrer Park MRT · registered 2019
- [Brauhaus Restaurant & Pub](https://lookup.sg/biz/brauhaus-restaurant-and-pub), Novena · 101 Thomson Road, B1, #13/14 United Square · 4 min walk from Novena MRT · registered 2022
- [Oopen Pasta & Grill](https://lookup.sg/biz/oopen-pasta-and-grill), Novena · 6 Irrawaddy Rd · 7 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Chameleon Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/chameleon-bar), Novena · 1 Jln Dusun, #01-07 · 8 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Sam Place](https://lookup.sg/biz/sam-place), Novena · 203 Thomson Rd · 2 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Axo Live House](https://lookup.sg/biz/axo-live-house), Novena · 1 Goldhill Ave · 5 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Cavemen Restaurant and Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/cavemen-restaurant-and-bar), Novena · 1 Jln Dusun, #01-09 · 8 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Urbana Rooftop Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/urbana-rooftop-bar), Novena · 99 Irrawaddy Rd, Level 33 Courtyard Marriott Singapore · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Snug Snug](https://lookup.sg/biz/snug-snug), Novena · 1 Goldhill Vw · 3 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Witbier - Thomson](https://lookup.sg/biz/witbier-thomson), Novena · Value Hotel - Thomson, 592 Balestier Rd · 8 min walk from Novena MRT
- [The Living Room Lounge](https://lookup.sg/biz/the-living-room-lounge), Novena · Oasia Hotel Novena, 8 Sinaran Dr · 1 min walk from Novena MRT
- [W XYZ Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/w-xyz-bar), Novena · 16 Ah Hood Road · 7 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Nickeldime Drafthouse](https://lookup.sg/biz/nickeldime-drafthouse), Novena · #01-01, Novena Regency · 3 min walk from Novena MRT
- [Piano Lounge](https://lookup.sg/biz/piano-lounge), Novena · Quality Hotel Marlow · 10 min walk from Farrer Park MRT
- [d Club Pool Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/d-club-pool-bar), Novena · 31 Ah Hood Rd, HomeTeamNS Balestier · 5 min walk from Toa Payoh MRT
- [Chill Up Bistro & Bar](https://lookup.sg/biz/chill-up-bistro-and-bar), Novena · Acu Point, 360 Balestier Rd · 10 min walk from Novena MRT

## FAQs
### What time do bars close in Singapore?
There is no single closing time – each bar's liquor licence sets its supply hours. What is fixed by law is that drinking in public places is banned islandwide from 10.30pm to 7am, and retail shops cannot sell takeaway alcohol in that window. You can keep drinking inside a licensed bar within its hours, or at home.

### Can you drink in public in Singapore?
Only between 7am and 10.30pm, under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. Fines go up to $1,000, and repeat offenders face up to $2,000 and/or three months' jail. In the Geylang and Little India Liquor Control Zones, public drinking is also banned all weekend (7am Saturday to 7am Monday) and penalties are 1.5 times higher.

### What is the drinking age in Singapore?
18. It is an offence for a licensed seller to sell alcohol to, or allow consumption by, anyone under 18 on licensed premises. Bars and clubs may set higher entry ages of their own, so carry ID.

### What does "++" mean on a Singapore menu?
"++" means a 10% service charge and 9% GST will be added. GST is charged on the service charge too, so the multiplier is 1.1 × 1.09 = 1.199 – a $50++ meal costs about $59.95. IRAS lets restaurants that levy a service charge show pre-GST prices, but they must state prominently that prices are subject to GST and service charge.

## Sources
- MHA – Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act to take effect from 1 April 2015: https://www.mha.gov.sg/media-room/newsroom/liquor-control-supply-and-consumption-act-to-take-effect-from-1-april-2015/
- Singapore Police Force – Liquor Licence: https://www.police.gov.sg/e-Services/Police-Licences/Liquor-Licence
- NEA – Smoking prohibition in entertainment outlets: https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/smoking-prohibition/smoking-prohibition-extension/smoking-prohibition-in-entertainment-outlets
- IRAS – Displaying and quoting prices (GST): https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/basics-of-gst/invoicing-price-display-and-record-keeping/displaying-and-quoting-prices

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Source: Lookup (https://lookup.sg) · Data as of October 2026 · Listings compiled from Singapore government open data (data.gov.sg), OneMap and Overture Maps places. Free listings never show contact details; featured listings are labelled.