Inner West Council approves six new Special Entertainment Precincts with 2am trading and midnight alfresco dining

Sydney’s Inner West is set for a nightlife boom, with six new Special Entertainment Precincts approved by council to allow venues to trade until 2am.

Vic on The Park in Marrickville featuring Merivale owner Justin Hemmes. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Inner West is poised for a major cultural revival after council approved six new Special Entertainment Precincts that will extend trading hours and boost live performance offerings across the district.

Inner West Council voted to give final approval to the precincts on Tuesday night, expanding on the success of the Enmore Road precinct, which was a NSW first and has operated since 2022.

Under the new scheme, venues in the designated areas will be able to trade until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, while outdoor dining and footpath trading will be permitted until midnight on those nights.

Businesses will also be allowed to host small-scale live performances without needing to submit development applications.

The Vic On The Park in Marrickville, NSW. Picture: AAP/Jordan Shields

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said the decision would turbocharge the local economy and position the district as Sydney’s true cultural heart.

“Our main streets are already the coolest night-time destinations in Sydney, and the new Entertainment Precincts will give our artists, pubs, restaurants and bars a big shot in the arm to take us to the next level,” Cr Byrne said.

“While other councils are shutting down entertainment, we are doing the opposite and want to attract more venues and performers to our main streets.”

The precincts are designed to simplify regulation by reducing the number of agencies overseeing noise complaints — consolidating it under Liquor and Gaming NSW — and mandating new nearby residential developments be soundproofed to minimise future disputes.

Cr Byrne called on the NSW Government to gazette the new precincts immediately to help reignite Sydney’s nightlife.

Jazz musicians Tim Gelden (left) and Neil Caine (right) perform at Butchers Brew in Dulwich Hill. The Inner West jazz bar has struggled to meet rising premiums for public liability insurance. Picture: Sonic Sydney

“With seven Entertainment Precincts across the Inner West, including Enmore Road which is already going gangbusters, we are about to see a genuine renaissance of Sydney’s nightlife based here in the People’s Republic of the Inner West,” he said.

Some of the pubs that could stay open until 2am:

Vic on the Park, Addison Rd, Marrickville

Grifter Brewing Co, Enmore Rd, Marrickville

The Marrickville Hotel, Marrickville Rd, Marrickville

Gasoline Pony, Marrickville Rd, Marrickville

Corner Bar Rozelle, Darling St, Rozelle

Butchers Brew, Marrickville Rd, Dulwich Hill

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