Thousands of SA pubs, bars and restaurants can now reopen and serve alcohol with meals after Premier’s booze backflip
Pubs and bars can now reopen and – along with thousands of other SA businesses – serve alcohol with meals after the Premier responded to a fierce backlash over confusing liquor licensing rules.
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Twice as many licensed venues – including pubs, wineries and small bars – can now sell alcohol with meals in SA after a State Government backflip.
The move means more than 4300 businesses can begin the road to economic recovery – including about 2600 two weeks earlier than expected – if they feel it is viable to do so.
Premier Steven Marshall was joined by Police Commissioner Grant Stevens yesterday afternoon, to announce that any business with a liquor licence – including wineries, pubs, clubs and small bars – could serve alcohol with a meal.
Diners have to be seated and venues are not allowed to have any more than 10 people inside and 10 outside their venue at once.
Businesses welcomed the move last night after frustrations all day.
Earlier today, scores were left scrambling after appearing in the media, excited about being able to serve alcohol with meals, only to be told by authorities they had the wrong licence.
Mr Marshall told The Advertiser that the State Government was trying to strike the right balance.
“We have apologised but my strong message to the business community in South Australia is that we are on your side and we want to get as many businesses up and running as soon as possible,” he said.
“This is a complex task and we don’t want to compromise the health outcomes so we are going to continue to do it in stages. This is another small step today with a bigger step coming on 5 June.”
From that date, the 20-person limit for licensed venues is expected to be further relaxed.
NSW announced it would open pubs for 50 patrons starting on June 1. Mr Marshall said the State Government was committed to a bespoke model for June 5 that would strike the right balance between ensuring South Australians were safe and making businesses viable.
On Wednesday, the State Government announced it would relax restrictions for restaurants and cafes allowing them to serve up to 20 people, from today.
It also allowed venues to serve alcohol for the first time since restrictions were implemented in March.
This morning, there were 1661 venues with restaurant and catering licences that were eligible to sell booze.
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A further 2688 businesses with different licences were going to have to wait until June 5 to sell alcohol with a meal, until the Government’s backflip this afternoon.
Popular diner The Tasting Room at East End Cellars, owned by Michael and Margie Andrewartha, was hours away from opening when Liquor Licensing Commissioner Dini Soulio said it was not allowed to trade. Mr Andrewartha thanked the Government for being so quick to reverse the decision. “We can now get back to work and do what we love best,” he said.
Sali Sasi, co-owner of Leigh Street Wine Room with acclaimed chef Nathan Sasi, also rode a rollercoaster of emotions because she was first told she could not open her small city venue then later told that she could.
“I had a discussion with the Premier this morning and reminded him that a few weeks back he’d told me he wanted to do what was right to rebuild the city,” she said. “I said to him today ‘this is your opportunity to help’.
“So, I’m really glad that the Premier has swallowed a really hard pill and made the right decision in actually admitting that it was a fault on their part for the confusion.
“This is a good decision but it’s what should have happened in the first place. I’m glad that he has listened to the despair from venue operators and owners and really acted quickly to rectify it.”
New rules, but we can’t wait to eat
By Gordon Knight
The phones have been running hot at Simone Ellery’s Hyde Park restaurant, Parisi’s, “but they’ve all asked the same thing,” she said. “Are you open? Can we book? and can we have a glass of wine?”
Ms Ellery is a third-generation restaurant owner. Her grandfather opened Marcellina in the ’60s and her father owns and runs city icon La Trattoria.
“My father is in his mid-70s.
He’s been in restaurants all his life and said he’s never experienced anything like this. He’s never had to shut a restaurant,” Ms Ellery said.
“To watch a 70-year-old see his business suffer was awful, but to watch diners now come back today makes me so glad to see we’ve made it through. Storms don’t last forever – it’s terrible now but there is some sunshine.”
Locals have rushed back to Ms Ellery’s diner, which still offers its full menu.
“I’ve had tears today, I’ve had thank-yous. People have been so supportive. We’ve had beautiful feedback from people. They’ve missed us,” she said yesterday.
“People want to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. We’ve been here for 18 years and people have come every year. (Olympian) Rachael Sporn called and said ‘thank God! I need a table for 10’.
“People want to be able to get out and do wining and dining properly again.”
A bit further down King William Rd, Lewis Marro at Farina OO was yesterday preparing for his first night of service in two months.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming people back. We’re so excited about opening,” he said.
“Food, for us, is life and we can’t wait to have a full restaurant again. That we are fully booked … with 20 people, is so humbling.”
Whitmore Square cafe My Kingdom for a Horse traded yesterday with 10 diners inside and 10 outside.
“We’ve had our best day of trade since March 27,” said owner Emily Raven, who said she had to offer a pared-down menu due to the short notice given before the rules were relaxed.
“People are just thankful to be able to sit down, out of the rain. My dad was very happy to be allowed to sit down for his coffee,” she said.
At Prospect pizza and pasta joint Anchovy Bandit, co-owner Oliver Brown was helping to set up before a big reopening last night.
He said last night and tonight were already “booked out, four sittings, each pretty much with all regulars,” Mr Brown said.
“We’re pumped to be back in and at it again. It’s more than just work for us, it’s what we do and love.
“Being back in the restaurant and talking to customers brings some normality back to our lives.
“People have been really receptive to table limits, minimum spends and bookings deposits.
“I think a huge win out of this challenge for restaurants will be the patrons’ new understanding and appreciation for how restaurants work and what they offer.”
At Godi La Vita, famous for its modern Italian menu, owner Laurie Godi was philosophical about the shift back to dining.
“Godi means ‘enjoy life’ and more than ever that is exactly what we’ve all been so patiently waiting to do,” he said.
“We are ecstatic about opening … We have been blown away by our loyal patrons and their support and we are thrilled our team is back in full swing.”