Fleet Street Social at Pt Noarlunga applies for new liquor licence after Business and Consumer Affairs caution

A popular restaurant has been forced into seeking a new licence after SA police officers saw a customer drinking alcohol while standing.

A popular southern suburbs restaurant has been forced to apply for a new type of licence after police spotted a customer drinking while standing.

Fleet Street Social, on Saltfleet St at Port Noarlunga, was reprimanded last year for the licencing breach - and owner Adam McGuinness has now sought planning approval to allow the venue to operate as a bar.

Under SA’s licensing laws, businesses operating with a restaurant and catering licence may only sell liquor to patrons who are seated and dining with a meal, unless they are attending a function where food is provided or doing a cooking course.

To serve alcohol while standing, businesses require an additional licence for bar use.

A police spokesman said officers attended Fleet Street Social in July 2023 and identified the licensing breach.

“The venue was operating outside the primary purpose of its restaurant and catering licence,” the spokesman said.

In February 2024, the Licensing Court of South Australia found Fleet Street Social to have been non-compliant with its licensing agreement and subsequently issued a reprimand.

The venue opened in 2022, taking over the old Boony’s site with an overhauled retro diner fitout, all-day food menu, extensive cocktail list and weekend acoustic music and DJ sets.

Fleet Street Social at Port Noarlunga. Picture: Instagram

A Consumer and Business Services spokesman said to operate as a bar in South Australia – which would allow patrons to stand and consume alcohol without meals – businesses would need to obtain an On Premises licence or a General & Hotel licence.

“The factors considered in an application for a restaurant and catering licence – which is primarily targeted at restaurants, cafes and other catering services – differ greatly from those considered in applications for an On Premises or a General and Hotel licence,” they said.

“Importantly, an On Premises or General and Hotel licence application requires a community impact submission to satisfy the licensing authority that the proposed premises is in the community interest.”

Mr McGuinness has now applied through PlanSA to change the venue’s use from restaurant to restaurant and licensed venue, with public consultation closing on July 30.

The report says having a catering licence and bar use approved for the site would enable guests to stand and drink, allowing for flexibility, but with little tangible impact on the venue’s existing noise levels.

Mr McGuinness was contacted for comment.