F&B Licences for 3 Nightlife Operators that Pivoted to F&B Revoked; 11 Outlets and 31 Individuals Penalised for Breaching Safe Management Measures

F&B Licences for 3 Nightlife Operators that Pivoted to F&B Revoked; 11 Outlets and 31 Individuals Penalised for Breaching Safe Management Measures

Following stepped-up enforcement checks in recent months, three Food and Beverage (F&B) outlets that were formerly nightlife operators have had their licences to serve food revoked by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) for breaching Safe Management Measures (SMMs). This is the first time that F&B outlets have had their licences revoked for breaching SMMs since an enhanced penalty framework was implemented in May 2021. In addition, 11 F&B outlets and 31 individuals were fined for breaching SMMs.

Food Licences Revoked for 3 Ex-Nightlife Operators

2 The three F&B outlets, which previously operated as nightlife establishments before pivoting to F&B, had their licences revoked for multiple breaches such as failing to minimise interaction between staff and customers, allowing groups of more than two people to sit together, and playing music. They must cease operations with immediate effect.Details and photos of the offences committed at these premises can be found in Annexes A and B.

3 Nightlife establishments were allowed to pivot temporarily to F&B from October 2020. Unfortunately, a number of establishments continue to operate nightlife activities which are currently prohibited, including employing hostesses or permitting freelance hostesses to serve and drink with multiple groups of customers. Others have also flagrantly flouted SMMs in the process. Common SMM breaches committed by these nightlife operators which have pivoted towards F&B operations include failing to prevent large groups of patrons from intermingling, and allowing live entertainment (e.g. live singing and dancing, playing of musical instruments) and games (e.g. dice and billiards).

Fines issued to 11 outlets and 31 individuals for SMM breaches

4 11 premises were fined between $1,000 to $2,000 each for breaching SMMs. Breaches included seating groups of customers less than one metre apart and allowing groups of more than two individuals who were not from the same household to be seated across multiple tables, and allowing consumption of alcohol on their premises beyond 10.30pm. Please refer to Annex C for the list of outlets.

5 Twenty-four individuals were fined $300 each for gathering in groups larger than the permitted group size while dining at various F&B outlets, while seven staff were fined $300 for failing to wear masks.

Everyone to remain vigilant in light of emerging clusters

6 SMMs must be strictly adhered to by premises owners and individuals. . Agencies will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against operators and individuals who flout SMMs. We must all do our part to prevent a resurgence from occurring in Singapore and continue to be vigilant to keep Singapore safe.

Annex A

Premises with F&B licenses revoked

1. Peony Garden Food House, also known as Club Diamond (Oriental Plaza, 291 New Bridge Road, #02-13/14/15/16) failed to minimise physical interaction between staff and customers, and allowed a group larger than two persons to eat and drink together in a private room. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has revoked the operator's F&B licence, and issued an order requiring the operator to cease operations with immediate effect from 15 July 2021. The operator was previously ordered to close for 10 days from 3 to 12 July 2021.

2. 3 Kings Pub (Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road, #06-37) failed to ensure safe distancing of at least one metre between groups of customers, allowed groups larger than two persons to eat and drink together at the same table, and played music. SFA has revoked the operator's F&B licence, and issued an order requiring the operator to cease operations with immediate effect from 15 July 2021. The operator was previously ordered to close for 10 days from 3 to 12 July 2021.

3. DMAX (5001 Beach Road, #B1-35/101/102/103/104/105 Golden Mile Tower) failed to minimise physical interaction between staff and customers, allowed groups larger than two persons to sit together, allowed music to be played, and provided forms of entertainment such as playing cards. SFA has revoked the operator's F&B licence, and issued an order requiring the operator to cease operations with immediate effect from 15 July 2021.

Annex B

Photos of breaches of SMMs at premises with F&B licenses revoked

Peony Garden Food House, also known as Club Diamond failed to minimise physical interaction between staff and customers and allowed groups larger than two to sit together on 2 July 2021.

(Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board)

3 Kings Pub played music, failed to ensure one-metre safe distancing between customers, and allowed groups larger than two to sit together on 2 July 2021.

(Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board)

DMAX (5001 Beach Road, #B1-35/101/102/103/104/105 Golden Mile Tower) played music, allowed groups larger than two to sit together, failed to minimise physical interaction between customers, allowed the playing of card games and music, and failed to enable contact tracing of every customer entering the permitted premises on 25 June 2021.

(Photo credit: Enterprise Singapore)

Annex C

Outlets fined for breaches of SMMs

1. Al Mubin Eating House (92 Syed Alwi Road)

2. Barakath Restaurant (11 Dalhousie Lane)

3. Food Republic (313 Somerset)

4. Golden Treasure Restaurant (No. 70 Lor 25A Geylang)

5. Haakon (313 Somerset B2-53/53A )

6. Mamita's Kitchen (Lucky Plaza #02-60)

7. Plentyfull Deli (Great World City #B1-K119)

8. Ristorante Luka (18 Tanjong Pagar Road)

9. The Dark Gallery (Ngee Ann City B2-29)

10. Yue Yu Restaurant (No.66 Lor 25A Geylang)

11. &Joy Dining Hall (Great World City #B1-133)