By James Atkinson
Sydney venue Beach Haus will have to serve drinks in plastic cups after midnight following persistent police reports of broken glass on the premises, as well as violent incidents and patronage of outlaw motorcycle gang members.
The NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing (OLGR) imposed the condition requiring plastic cups in March this year after police inspections of the Kings Cross venue repeatedly found empty glasses had not been collected, and were in several cases broken on the floor.
There were several reports of intoxicated persons on the premises by police, who alleged a glassing assault had taken place at the venue in July last year in which two people were injured.
Police also observed prominent members of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) on the premises on various occasions between February 2010 and December 2011.
"Most of the persons named in these reports are reported to be members of the Comanchero OMCG and there is one report of a known associate of the Rebels OMCG on the premises," said Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority chairperson, Chris Sidoti.
The owners of Beach Haus sought a review of the plastic cup condition, which they argued would make the business "unviable".
But Sidoti rejected the venue's arguments, arguing that the venue's poor glass management gave rise to an ongoing risk to staff and the public.
"There would appear to be a degree of laxity in relation to management of the premises and this has also manifested in the inadequate practices with regards to glass on premises," he said.
"On the material before it, the Authority is persuaded that a mandatory restriction on access to any glass after midnight is the correct and preferable decision."
Beach Haus's owners did not respond to a request for comment.