Singapore Expats

Hi

I'm moving to Singapore in a few weeks (from New Zealand). I've heard the price of beer and wine is stupidly expensive in Singapore. Generally, how much would it cost for a pint of beer or glass of wine at a bar/restaurant (not an expensive bar)? How much for wine or beer at the supermarket/liquor store?

Wondering if I should change my drinking tastes to Spirits... and buy up large at duty-free in the way in?

Can you buy duty-free at arrivals in Singapore, or only when leaving?

I've heard duty-free in Singapore is cheap with a really good selection. Anybody know if it would be cheaper to buy it leaving NZ in duty-free or entering Singapore at duty-free?

Cheers!

Beer in the pub is $10.00 a pint.........you do get over the shock.
Wine is $25.00 a bottle in the supermarket, about $10.00 a glass in the bar.
6 cans of beer Tiger is $15.00 a pack.
If you got a container, put your wine in and pay the duty. I wish we had. You have some nice wine you really love while absorbing the shock.
Champagne is still the shocker.

Good luck with the move

Hi blondi and welcome to the forums!

Supermaket prices:

6pack beer: $15.95 (cheapest - Tiger) - $26.50. Large range of imported beers at most Cold Storage supermarkets.

Wine: Quaffies - usually around $21.00 per bottle upwards. NZ Suav Blancs tend to be around the $25-$40 per bottle.

You'll find Cold Storage, NTUC, etc. usually have a weekly special on both 6-packs and a wine or two. IMHO, if you're not too fussy, I pick those up for our quaffers.

There are wine stores like Denise who have more premium selections. Prices are, well, as you say, stupidly expensive, but you only live once!

In bars/restaurants: we usually just buy bottled wine, but occasionally at some of the more "western" pubs like Brewworkz I've paid about $7.50 for a pint (I think - someone else might clairfy this for you)

Duty free at Changi T2 and T3 is pretty extensive - you won't have any problem picking up the usual champagne, spirits, wine. PLEASE do familiarise yourself with the duty free limits here. And yes, you can buy it as inbound pax.

A tip: when we moved, we stocked up on wine (we had been here extensively before we moved so knew the price of alcohol). We declared it on the shipping manifest, and while the duty was pretty exhorbinant, it more than paid for itself.

HTH, Mr. P

Cripes, I just looked at the duty free allowances, and I'm only allowed 1L of spirits! In NZ we are allowed 3 bottles!

How much would I have to pay extra if I bought more bottles in? I'm assuming it would be worthwhile.How much would say a bottle of Gordons Gin, or Smirnoff Vodka be in the stores in Singapore?

Man, I'm starting to sound like a raving alcholic! I'm not, I just like a tipple now and then without breaking the bank!

sierra2469alpha wrote:Prices are, well, as you say, stupidly expensive, but you only live once!

I don't like it either, but I think it's anything but stupid. The government makes a lot of money off sin taxes and while I enjoy the bouyant feeling of a kid in a candy store while shopping for dirt cheap liquor at home in the US -- I sure wish they would tax liquor and tobacco more and put the money into education or healthcare.

R.N.T I was quoting the OP.

Blondi - duty rates can be found here

HTH, Mr. P

So do you disagree that they are stupid? I didn't want to quote her anyway, what with being a newbie an all.

R.N.T - My pet hate is hijacked threads, but yes, I agree with the O.P think the tax on alcohol and tobacco products. If you want to know why then start another thread or PM me and I'll happily share my thoughts with you. Mr. P

Where's the fun in that??

I've only been here 6 weeks so far from Australia. After having to spend $13 for a glass of beer in a pub at Boat Quay I've decided to give my liver (and wallet) a break and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

You will also get a shock if you order a coffee from any of the big chains. I'm used to paying AUD$3.00 (same as SGD$3.00) for a regular coffee at a reputable coffee shop but its double over here.

Tony_Melb wrote:I've only been here 6 weeks so far from Australia. After having to spend $13 for a glass of beer in a pub at Boat Quay I've decided to give my liver (and wallet) a break and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

You will also get a shock if you order a coffee from any of the big chains. I'm used to paying AUD$3.00 (same as SGD$3.00) for a regular coffee at a reputable coffee shop but its double over here.

Rent is expensive in those outlets. Hence....

You can get beer for $7 all night, just ask louy!

Zeenit wrote:Beer in the pub is $10.00 a pint.........you do get over the shock.
Wine is $25.00 a bottle in the supermarket, about $10.00 a glass in the bar.
6 cans of beer Tiger is $15.00 a pack.
If you got a container, put your wine in and pay the duty. I wish we had. You have some nice wine you really love while absorbing the shock.
Champagne is still the shocker.

Good luck with the move

To think I could of made better use of my empty container.
I should of filled it with wine and beer.

blondi wrote:I'm moving to Singapore in a few weeks (from New Zealand). I've heard the price of beer and wine is stupidly expensive in Singapore. Generally, how much would it cost for a pint of beer or glass of wine at a bar/restaurant (not an expensive bar)? How much for wine or beer at the supermarket/liquor store?

You usually get a can of beer for $1.9 SGD at Shop'n'Save or Fair Price... not the branded stuff, but stuff like Chang and so on. Not too bad. But agree, the price of beer here is ludicrous!

/Jorgen

jskogsta wrote:
You usually get a can of beer for $1.9 SGD at Shop'n'Save or Fair Price... not the branded stuff, but stuff like Chang and so on. Not too bad. But agree, the price of beer here is ludicrous!

/Jorgen

Isn't Chang a brand?