The controversial Sydney lockout laws have been officially lifted today, with many inner-city venues holding parties tonight to celebrate.
From today:
- The 1.30am last entry for all venues in the Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct, including those on Oxford Street will be removed
- 'Last drinks' at venues with good records in this precinct extended from 3am to 3.30am
- Venues classified as Level 1 on the violent venues list continue to maintain a 1.30am lockout and 3am last drinks time
- Restrictions on serving cocktails, shots and drinks in glass after midnight in this precinct will be removed
- Bottle shop opening hours across NSW will be extended until midnight from Monday to Saturday, with 11pm closing on Sunday
- Increased small bar patron capacity from 100 to 120 across NSW
Additionally, the current freeze in the Sydney CBD Entertainment precinct will expire on June 1, 2020, with alternative approaches to managing risks associated with the density of licensed premises examined ahead of the expiry.
Frankie’s, Harpoon Harry, Stonewall, Maloney’s Hotel, Poof Doof @ Ivy, Colombian Hotel, The Flinders, Embassy, The Imperial Hotel and the Hollywood Hotel are among the venues holding celebrations over the next few days.
Alcohol Beverages Australia said the wind back of Sydney lockout laws was great news for the night-time economy and for people who want to linger longer in their favourite city haunts.
“This is a great opportunity for people to show how the drinking culture in Australia has really changed” said Andrew Wilsmore, CEO of Alcohol Beverages Australia.
“We want people to show that it’s possible to have a great time and still be responsible by ensuring they do the right thing- catch public transport or have a sober, designated driver, look after each other, drink lots of water, eat enough food and simply enjoy the new normal.”
“Sydney’s night-time economy needs a lift and we urge people to make sure they have a night to remember for all the right reasons.”
Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said: "Sydney is open again. Today, the lockout laws in the city centre and on Oxford Street will be lifted – a move that will breathe oxygen into Sydney’s cultural life and night-time economy.
"We know the lockout laws were an overreaction when what we needed was 24-hour public transport and a stronger liquor licensing system to support well-run venues, penalise rogue ones, and spread venues out across the city.
"But today we are ready to move on from the lockouts and allow Sydney’s nightlife to flourish once again."
Moore has called on the NSW Government to extend the operating hours of the light rail on weekends to ensure people can get in and out of the city at night.
Restrictions in Kings Cross remain and will be up for review in 12 months time.
"We are also working with local business leaders in Kings Cross, and the NSW Government, on a pathway for the precinct to be free from lockouts," Moore said.
The Night Time Industries Association chair Michael Rodrigues told 7News that scrapping the Sydney lockout laws was a "turning point" for the city to get it back on track.
"It's fantastic the city will entertain locals and visitors in a diverse and inclusive nightlife without being rushed around venues closing early," he said in a statement on Monday.
"It's the beginning of Sydney getting its mojo back."
The Australian Hotels Association’s John Green told The Australian the introduction of ride-sharing services such as Uber had helped quell the alcohol-fuelled violence the laws were designed to tackle.
“We don’t see people lined up in taxi queues,’’ the AHA’s NSW director of liquor and policing said. “That’s where the majority of violence occurs, out in the public domain.
“What we are going to see is people able to go into the venue of their choice at the time of their choice and drink what they want, because the responsible service of alcohol laws will still exist.”
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