S‑Tripes, Whimsical Bar, and Create Kitchen Pull the Plug on Singapore’s Party Rules
What Went Wrong?
Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) moved in with a hard chair and shut three hospitality spots after they flouted the country’s safe‑management playbook. The crackdown shows that the city’s “no‑kissing‑the‑thestDon’t‑drink‑after‑10pm” policy is taken very seriously.
S‑Tripes Hotpot – The Tea‑Pot Trouble
On Havelock Road, S‑Tripes Hotpot had to close from Sept 2 – 11 because of several violations. They’d been selling alcohol past 10:30 pm – which is a big no in Singapore’s strict COVID‑19 rules. To dodge the cameras, the staff tried to hide booze inside teapots and empty green‑tea bottles. On top of that, masks were either missing or being used poorly, despite repeated reminders from officers.
- Alcohol after 10:30 pm –
- Teapot sleight‑of‑hand –
- Mask compliance woes –
The SFA handed over a US $2,000 fine for the slip‑ups.
Whimsical Bar – A Bar That Won’t Stop Partying
Whimsical Bar got the short end of the stick with an immediate shutdown. Investigators discovered that patrons were sipping cocktails after 10:30 pm, breaking the same ban that keeps Singapore’s night‑life in check.
But the problem didn’t stop there:
- Groups over five people allowed to mingle –
- Operating without a proper food‑shop licence –
- Tables spaced less than 1 meter apart –
Until they secure a licence, the bar will remain closed. The unit next door, Create Kitchen, shared the same missteps and was also closed from Sept 2 – 11. Both establishments received a US $1,000 fine each.
What’s the Stiff Penalty?
Under the Covid‑19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020:
- First‑time offenders: up to $10,000 fine, 6‑month jail term, or both.
- Repeat offenders: up to $20,000 fine, 12‑month jail term, or both.
Clearly, the SFA isn’t playing games when the rules are clear. Let’s hope the next bar in town takes this as a lesson: better safe than sorry!
Original Source
The Straits Times is the first to break the story. For any clarifications or reproductions, you’ll need permission.
