Future Brisbane: The night-life revolution this city needs

Embarrassed industry leaders are calling for a night-time commissioner to fix Brisbane’s hospitality scene, saying we can’t face international guests with “by the way, can you get up at 4am and be in bed by 8.30pm”.

• Opinion: Time to fire up Brisbane’s night-life

Getting a meal after 9pm, scrapping ID scanning at pubs and clubs and a review of lockout laws are needed to revive Brisbane’s struggling night-life, with industry leaders desperately calling for a night-time commissioner.

The owners of restaurants, nightclubs and sports bars are concerned about the long-term effects of inflation and the growing trend of Queenslanders going home early and spending less.

They say Brisbane should follow in Sydney’s footsteps and appoint a 24-hour economy boss to boost trade, loosen regulations and tackle lockout restrictions.

QMusic chief executive and former artistic director of Brisbane Powerhouse, Kris Stewart, warned the entertainment sector was severely unprepared to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“It’s actually a much bigger issue than we think,” he said.

“We can’t face international guests with, ‘by the way, can you get up at 4am and be in bed by 8.30pm?’”

Music promoter and Powderfinger bassist John Collins. Picture: Kevin Farmer

NSW appointed former Time Out managing director Michael Rodrigues as the state’s first 24-hour Economy Commissioner in 2021, tasked with reviving the night-life – including dining and live music – in city precincts.

Mr Stewart said Brisbane still had a chance to make a real name for itself.

“What Sydney has done having Michael Rodrigues as the 24-hour economy commissioner is really smart,” he said.

“We want outdoor festivals, we want food and wine events ... when you move into Fortitude Valley, you should feel as if you moved into Soho or Tribeca.

“We just need a shot of adrenaline because incremental improvements aren’t going to be fast enough for us and we’re just going to get lapped by others.” The Sunday Mail’s attempts to get a booking at 33 Brisbane restaurants after 9pm on a weeknight were largely unsuccessful, with less than a third offering late-night dining.

Major issues identified by both traders and residents were annoying 3am lockout laws, the mandatory scanning of IDs at venues introduced by the Palasczcuk government and a lack of diversity in Brisbane’s night-time offerings.

ID Scanners being used at the Caxton Hotel, Caxton St, Brisbane. (Image AAP/Steve Pohlner)

Brisbane-born Powderfinger bassist and Fortitude Valley Music Hall director John Collins said he would be thrilled to become night-time commissioner but the role would need to address relaxing entertainment trading hours and include a review of lockout laws and mandatory identification scanning.

“We have such a massive opportunity looming with the Olympic and Paralympic Games to review the lockout laws and ID scanning regulations,” he said.

“I think it would be embarrassing to invite the world to come to our party and then place antiquated rules on them that see people refused entry into venues because they left their passport in the hotel.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe’s offices declined to comment on if they would consider appointing a night-time commissioner.

A government spokesperson said it was instead working with the Queensland Small Business Commissioner to ensure traders were benefiting from a set of initiatives outlined in the Outdoor Activation Action Plan in 2022.

Contrastingly, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has already appointed a shadow minister for CBD activation and shadow assistant minister for the Night-Time Economy.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner agreed lockout laws and complex trading hour rules were holding Brisbane back.,

“Let’s not forget these were the lock out laws that caused Brisbane, Queensland and Australia international embarrassment a few years ago when Denmark’s Crown Prince couldn’t get a drink after dark in a local bar because he didn’t have ID,” he said.

“We need to build off this momentum so Brisbane becomes an even better place to open a business, where visitors are spoiled for choice if they want a meal after 8pm and where there are opportunities for all ages and interest.”