Adelaide to add more small bars

By Sacha Delfosse

The South Australia government has introduced new category of liquor licence for small venues in the hope of fostering a more vibrant bar scene in the city’s laneways.

The new Liquor Licensing (Small Venue Licence) Amendment Bill 2012 will reduce costs and paperwork, making it easier for "entrepreneurs to set up a variety of licensed businesses such as small specialist bars and hybrid café bars", according to SA Premier, Jay Weatherill.

"I believe Adelaide has already begun to embrace this culture and we have had some very successful venues established over the past few years such as udaberri, Café Troppo and Cork Wine Café, but costs have often been barriers for young entrepreneurs."

The SA Government developed the new reforms through consultation with current small venue operators, and believes these new measures will provide the flexibility and simplicity needed to nurture a diverse and robust hospitality industry in Adelaide.

Under the small venue licence bars could operate from 11am to midnight with a maximum capacity of 120 patrons. For an initial 12-month period, the reforms will apply to the Adelaide CBD only but there are provisions in place to extend them to other areas.

 "The only negative thing I will say is that it is long overdue. But, it is a good step forward in recognising that Adelaide needs the sort of venues that have been popping up in Melbourne and Sydney over the last few years," said Shaun Pattinson, operator of Adelaide small bar, Cushdy.