The Big Story: Is Singapore’s nightlife finally making a comeback? Looser rules are here to stay

Singapore’s nightlife could be getting a permanent boost, with businesses at Boat Quay and Clarke Quay now allowed to extend liquor trading hours until 4am on Thursdays and Fridays. The move follows a year-long pilot launched in August 2025 to revitalise the precincts and attract more businesses and visitors. So what did the pilot reveal about Singapore’s appetite for late-night entertainment? And can extending liquor trading hours actually give the city’s nightlife the boost it needs? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Kevin Cheong, Lecturer in Business at the University of Newcastle Australia, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.