The Ministry of Customs and Revenue announced temporary changes to alcohol operating hours for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The recent notice was issued by the Ministry of Customs and Revenue and published on the Ministry’s Facebook page on Tuesday. It was signed by the Chairman of the Alcohol Control Board and applies to all alcohol licence holders.

From 24 December to 26 December 2025, food and beverage outlets will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., while bars and nightclubs will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Retail and wholesale outlets will continue with their normal operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Normal operating hours will resume from 27 December to 30 December 2025.

From 31 December 2025 to 2 January 2026, food and beverage outlets will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., while bars and nightclubs will operate from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Retail and wholesale outlets will continue with their normal operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

“The above temporary operating hours do not apply to resorts and hotels holding food and beverage licences," said the notice.

Alcohol must be served with food within the licensed premises. Alcohol may only be served to in-house guests, and the sale of alcohol to the general public during the above-stated hours is strictly prohibited.

The Ministry emphasised that these temporary arrangements aim to regulate alcohol consumption during the festive season while maintaining public safety.

Last year, in 2024, notice the temporary hours mainly allowed nightclubs and bars to stay open later on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. This year’s 2025 notice is different, as it provides clear operating hours for bars, nightclubs, and food and beverage outlets, while keeping normal hours for retail and wholesale out