diff --git a/dist/js/ionic-angular.js b/dist/js/ionic-angular.js
index 1ca38c0823..2c9dc8637d 100644
--- a/dist/js/ionic-angular.js
+++ b/dist/js/ionic-angular.js
@@ -1839,8 +1839,6 @@ angular.module('ionic.ui.sideMenu', ['ionic.service.gesture'])
  * extends our core Ionic side menu controller and exposes
  * some side menu stuff on the current scope.
  */
-.controller('SideMenuCtrl', ['$scope', function($scope) {
-}])
 
 .directive('sideMenus', function() {
   return {
@@ -1890,6 +1888,11 @@ angular.module('ionic.ui.sideMenu', ['ionic.service.gesture'])
           defaultPrevented = e.defaultPrevented;
         });
 
+        // Listen for taps on the content to close the menu
+        ionic.on('tap', function(e) {
+          sideMenuCtrl.close();
+        }, $element[0]);
+
         var dragFn = function(e) {
           if(defaultPrevented) {
             return;
diff --git a/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js b/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js
index b1fe888808..97c4b1c7f2 100644
--- a/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js
+++ b/js/ext/angular/src/directive/ionicSideMenu.js
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ angular.module('ionic.ui.sideMenu', ['ionic.service.gesture'])
  * extends our core Ionic side menu controller and exposes
  * some side menu stuff on the current scope.
  */
-.controller('SideMenuCtrl', ['$scope', function($scope) {
-}])
 
 .directive('sideMenus', function() {
   return {
@@ -65,6 +63,11 @@ angular.module('ionic.ui.sideMenu', ['ionic.service.gesture'])
           defaultPrevented = e.defaultPrevented;
         });
 
+        // Listen for taps on the content to close the menu
+        ionic.on('tap', function(e) {
+          sideMenuCtrl.close();
+        }, $element[0]);
+
         var dragFn = function(e) {
           if(defaultPrevented) {
             return;