By Andy Young
The NSW Government has revealed the first live entertainment venues that will have time extensions to the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross lockout and last drinks laws.
Deputy Secretary for Liquor, Gaming and Emergency Management at the NSW Department of Justice, Paul Newson, said CBD venues the Palace Hotel, Observer Hotel and ArtHouse Hotel can now admit patrons until 2am and serve drinks until 3.30am.
“We expect to announce more venues soon, with Liquor & Gaming NSW assessing a further 13 applications for the 30-minute extensions to lockouts and last drinks times,” Newson said.
“As venues have only been able to apply since late December and this is a busy time of year, more applications are expected in the next few weeks. Industry feedback suggests up to 50 venues could take advantage of the relaxed lockout and last drinks times.
“The changes are part of the Government’s commitment to creating a more vibrant nightlife for Sydney while keeping the focus on community safety. Live entertainment venues help provide a more diverse nightlife with less focus on alcohol consumption. Arts NSW is leading plans to boost Sydney’s night-time economy by implementing recommendations from a series of stakeholder roundtables held last year.”
The announcement comes after the NSW Government announced it would implement a number of changes to the state’s liquor legislation following the two-year review carried out by the Hon Ian Callinan AC QC.
Those measures included:
- A two-year trial from Monday 16 January of later 2am lockouts and 3.30am last drinks to be allowed via exemption for CBD and Kings Cross venues that offer live entertainment, live performances or arts and cultural events
- An extension of trading times for takeaway and home delivery alcohol sales across NSW from 10pm to 11pm beginning from 16 December
- Raising the patron limit for small bars from 60 to 100, and extending automatic 2am trading for eligible small bars in the CBD and Kings Cross.