Freeze on ‘high risk’ venue licences extended for further year

NEW live music hotspots will be able to apply for liquor ­licences in Kings Cross and the CBD, with the state government­ set to abolish the licensing freeze on venues­ next month.

Pictured is Camille Mazuel and Marta Fernandes enjoying a cocktail at Pocket Bar in Darlinghurst. Venues offering live music can apply for new liquor licences.Picture: Christian Gilles

NEW live music hotspots will be able to apply for liquor ­licences in Kings Cross and the CBD, with the state government­ set to abolish the licensing freeze on the venues­ next month.

The reforms will throw the doors open to a range of new nightspots with a live music, arts and culture focus, in a major nod to the need to boost the city’s night-time economy.

The shift is the biggest change to liquor licensing in the region since 2014.

Nightlife in Kings Cross has shrunk since lockout laws began. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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However, the current freeze on new liquor licences for venues­ considered “high risk” such as hotels, clubs, bars and nightclubs will be extended for a further 12 months.

“New businesses offering live music as well as broader arts and cultural events will be able to apply to open in Kings Cross and the CBD,” Racing Minister Paul Toole said yesterday.

Plenty of room on the pavement on Darlinghurst Rd as lockout laws took effect. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The NSW government is committed to developing Sydney’s night-time economy and helping the industry provide more diverse entertainment options.”

Under the changes, the independent­ Liquor and Gaming Authority will now consider new on-premises licence­ applications at live music venues from June 1.

This will also be extended to venues that “host visual or performance arts or other cultural events”.

Venues considered low risk, such as restaurants, cinemas­ and small bars, are already­ excluded from the liquor­ licensing freeze.

Mr Toole said that small bar licence numbers had almost doubled across NSW since 2016, when the state last eased restrictions.

At the time, the government raised the patron limit from 60 to 100 across the state.

In the CBD and Kings Cross, trading times were extended at small bars from midnight to 2am.

There are currently 30 venues offering­ live entertainment and admitting patrons­ until 2am across Kings Cross and the CBD.

The move is aimed to bolster the city’s night-life and to attract more live entertainment to the area.