A business in Singapore needs a public entertainment licence from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) before it provides entertainment the public can access, such as live bands, DJs, karaoke, recorded music for dancing, amusement machines or a one-off event with performances. Section 4 of the Public Entertainments Act 1958 says public entertainment may only be provided at an approved place and under a licence. You apply through GoBusiness Licensing, processing takes about three weeks, and operating without a licence can lead to a fine of up to S$20,000. Arts content such as plays and concerts also falls under IMDA’s rules.
Does my business need a public entertainment licence?
The test is what you provide and whether the public can get in, not what your business is called. The First Schedule to the Act lists the activities that count as public entertainment. According to SPF, they include performances of music, singing or dancing, playing or transmitting recorded music, magic shows, acrobatics, circus or animal exhibitions, amusement centres, computer games centres, gaming machines, organised competitions and arts entertainment such as plays and concerts.
Typical businesses that need one:
- Bars and restaurants with a live band, a singer or a DJ
- Nightclubs, discotheques and karaoke lounges
- Outlets that play recorded music where customers may dance
- Amusement centres, billiard saloons and computer games centres
- Shops or malls running claw cranes or game machines outside a licensed amusement centre
- Companies organising ticketed or open events with performances, shows or demonstrations
A liquor licence does not cover entertainment. SPF treats them as separate approvals, and getting one does not guarantee the other. Our guide to liquor licences for F&B businesses covers the liquor side.
Which category and type of licence fits?
SPF groups public entertainment into eight categories. The main ones for businesses are below, with the annual establishment licence fees SPF publishes in its FAQ.
| Category | Covers | Type A | Type B | Type C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live music, singing or dancing performances, including customer dancing; also outlets in URA Class 15 use (nightclubs, discotheques, karaoke lounges) | S$720 | S$960 | S$1,200 |
| 2 | Recorded music where customer dancing is not allowed | S$260 | S$350 | S$440 |
| 3 | Amusement centres, billiard saloons, computer games centres | S$360 | S$480 | S$600 |
| 4 | Gaming machines outside amusement centres (per two machines) | S$360 | S$480 | S$600 |
The other categories cover boxing and wrestling contests (5), variety acts, performances and demonstrations (6), circus or animal exhibitions (7) and other entertainment not regulated by the arts entertainment licensing officer (8).
The type sets your latest operating hour. According to SPF, Type A allows operation until 1am Monday to Saturday and 2am on Sundays and public holidays, Type B until 3am and 4am respectively, and Type C until 6am daily, all subject to licence conditions. For one-off events, an ad-hoc licence costs S$22 for one day or S$44 for seven days, which can be used consecutively or not within three months.
Outlets in URA Class 15 use under Category 1 face extra conditions, including a noise protocol and CCTV requirements. Fees and conditions are set by SPF and can change, so check the current schedule on the SPF website before budgeting.
How do I apply?
- Confirm the premises can be used for entertainment. SPF asks for URA planning permission or, for HDB premises, HDB’s supporting letter or lodgement. The premises must be an approved place under the Act.
- Check the location. SPF publishes a list of places where a licence is unlikely to be granted, including Orchard Towers (now One Claymore), Orchard Plaza, Cuppage Plaza, Golden Mile Complex, Geylang, Joo Chiat and historic conservation areas such as Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and Boat Quay.
- Prepare the applicant and officers. SPF assesses whether the applicant, responsible officers and persons with a substantial interest in the business are fit and proper. Where a company applies, the application is made jointly with the individual to whom the licence will be issued.
- Apply on GoBusiness Licensing. Submit the layout, capacity and operating details for the category and type you want. Incomplete applications are rejected.
- Wait for the decision. SPF’s estimated processing time is about three weeks from a complete application. Do not open with entertainment before the licence is issued.
- Display the licence. It must be displayed prominently at the premises while entertainment is provided.
SPF warns that renovation costs, equipment, rent already paid or the presence of nearby outlets are not grounds for granting a licence. Sign a lease that lets you walk away, or delay fit-out, until you know the licence is likely. This is the same premises-first discipline we describe for starting a gym or opening a beauty salon.
Documents checklist
- Company ACRA business profile and details of directors and shareholders
- URA planning permission, or HDB supporting letter or lodgement
- Floor layout plan showing the entertainment area and capacity (occupant load)
- Fire safety approval references for the premises, where applicable
- Details of the proposed entertainment, hours and licence type
- Particulars of the person to be named as licensee and the responsible officers
What about concerts, plays and arts performances?
Arts entertainment, such as plays, concerts, music and dance performances and exhibitions, is regulated by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) rather than SPF. SPF notes that under section 16 of the Act, arts entertainment cannot be provided unless its content has been classified by the arts entertainment licensing officer. IMDA’s submission guidelines ask for classification applications at least 40 working days before the event, so organisers should apply as soon as the programme is fixed.
Some arts and public entertainment activities are exempt under exemption orders made under the Act, provided their conditions are met. For several exempt activities, especially outdoor ones, the organiser must still notify the police at least seven days before the event through GoBusiness Licensing. Read the published conditions carefully: an exemption that fails one condition is no exemption at all.
What is exempt or outside the Act?
According to SPF’s FAQ, exemptions include entertainment by government departments and statutory boards, certain religious ceremonies, meetings of companies, trade unions and associations attended only by members, and lectures, talks, debates and discussions. Golf simulator centres have been exempt since 10 August 2021 if they meet the conditions of the exemption order.
Sport on its own is not public entertainment. A tournament needs a licence only for its entertainment parts, such as recorded music over speakers, a live band, an opening ceremony with performers or a half-time show. If your company runs a promotional event with a lucky draw as well, check the separate permit rules in our article on lucky draws and promotions.
What conditions and changes must I manage after approval?
- Conditions. SPF can impose any conditions it thinks fit, and can add or vary them after giving written notice and an opportunity to be heard.
- Changes within seven days. Update SPF through GoBusiness within seven days of a change in capacity, fire safety building plan reference, layout, company name, directors or office-bearers, or the named licensee within the same business.
- Transfers. A licence cannot be used by or transferred to another person without approval. SPF lists a transfer fee of S$44 and an amendment fee of S$22 for a change of establishment name or address.
- Renewal. Renewal is not automatic. Apply within the month before expiry and meet the requirements in force at that time.
- Refunds. Fees are generally not refunded on cancellation.
What are the penalties?
| Breach | Consequence stated by SPF |
|---|---|
| Providing public entertainment without a licence, or while suspended | Fine of up to S$20,000 under section 28(1)(a) |
| Breaching licence conditions | Fine of up to S$10,000 under section 28(1)(c), demerit points, suspension or cancellation |
| Entertainment that causes a breach of the peace, is indecent or offensive, or is against the public interest | Suspension or cancellation of the licence |
Licensing decisions can be appealed within 14 days of notification. Directors should treat licence conditions like any other compliance obligation and put them on the company compliance calendar alongside renewal dates.
Example: a restaurant adding a weekend band
Example: A hypothetical restaurant company in a shophouse outside the conservation areas plays background music and now wants a three-piece band on Friday and Saturday nights until midnight. Live performance puts it in Category 1, and a Type A licence covers its hours. The directors first check that the URA approved use allows the band, then apply on GoBusiness with the layout and capacity, and wait about three weeks before advertising. They add the renewal date and the seven-day change rule to their compliance calendar.
This is an illustration only. The correct category depends on your actual activities and SPF’s assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to play background music in my café?
Recorded music transmitted in a place the public can access is within the Act’s definition of public entertainment, and SPF’s Category 2 covers recorded music where customers do not dance. Check with SPF for your specific set-up before assuming you are exempt. Music copyright licences are a separate matter.
How long does approval take?
SPF’s estimate is about three weeks from a complete application, but it can take longer where referral agencies or extra checks are involved.
Can I take over the previous tenant’s licence when I buy a bar?
Not automatically. A licence cannot be transferred or used by another person without SPF’s approval, and the new owners and officers will be assessed as fit and proper.
Can we open later than our licence type allows?
Only with approval. SPF says you must get the licensing officer’s approval and pay the applicable fee to extend operating hours. A Category 2 outlet can also apply to upgrade to Category 1 with approval.
Do I need both an SPF licence and IMDA approval for a concert?
A concert is arts entertainment, so IMDA’s classification rules apply. Whether a separate SPF licence is also needed depends on the venue and any other entertainment provided, so check both agencies’ requirements early.
Need help setting up an entertainment business?
If you are opening a bar, restaurant, entertainment outlet or event company, contact the Raffles Corporate Services team at [email protected] or on WhatsApp at +65 8501 7133. We can incorporate the company, choose the business activity codes, keep the directors’ and shareholders’ records that licensing officers ask for, and handle bookkeeping, GST and annual filings once you open. If you face an enforcement action or a refusal you want to challenge, we can refer you to a firm on our panel of Singapore law firms.
The Raffles Corporate Services Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services