Sydney’s lockout laws confound celebs, including Madonna, James Harden

EXCLUSIVE: Sydney’s controversial lockout laws have cruelled the party plans of megastar Madonna and US basketball legend James Harden, it has been revealed.

• Michael Thorn: Lockout laws are keeping Sydney safe
• Twenty Kings Cross, city pubs and venues get extra trading time

SYDNEY’s controversial lockout laws have cruelled the party plans of megastar Madonna and US basketball legend James Harden, it has been revealed.

The original Material Girl is joined by the likes of Harden and the manager of Chelsea striker Diego Costa in falling foul of the strict rules.

Industry sources said Madonna was unable to join her dancers on level six of Justin Hemmes’ swanky Ivy on George St in March last year because she arrived after 1.30am. And when she wanted to hold one of her concert afterparties at the same venue, sheepish Merivale management had to inform the singer the lockout laws prevented them from hosting her.

Super star Madonna couldn’t get into the Ivy, because of NSW’s strict lock out laws. Picture: Splash News

NBA player James Harden was refused entry. Picture: AP

Footballer Costa was left unhappy when his personal manager was refused entry to Establishment in 2015 because he had arrived after the 1.30am deadline to meet Chelsea players, and Harden couldn’t move from The Establishment to the Ivy due to a similar issue that same year.

Lockout laws: Plan to relax closing times for Sydney venues

Under the laws, introduced by former premier Barry O’Farrell in 2014 after the coward punch killing of Thomas Kelly, all bars in the CBD and Kings Cross were required to shut their doors to new customers at 1.30am with last drinks at 3am. There was also a ban on shots after midnight, meaning a patron can, for example, be served a Scotch and Coke but not a Scotch on the rocks.

Chelsea star Diego Costa couldn't even get past the Sydney lock out laws. Picture: Getty Images

Industry insiders said this has caused some embarrassment as staff attempt to explain to A-listers what they can and can’t do.

Last year, the government extended the hours for some venues, changing the lockout time to 2am and the closing time to 3.30am, provided there was live entertainment.

The changes came after former High Court judge Ian Callinan conducted a statutory review and found that “a relaxation of the amendments to this effect may go some way to an orderly restoration of vibrancy and employment opportunities in the precincts”.

Former NSW Premier Mike Baird enforced the tough regulations. Picture: Aaron Francis / The Australian

Former Premier Barry O’Farrell was the architect of the locks outs.

A spokesman for Merivale, which has in its stable bars such as The Establishment, Ivy and Tank Stream Bar, said this relaxation of the rules had certainly helped.

“The extra half-hour goes a long way to improve the situation,” he said. “We think the new (changes) around supporting live music and the extra half-hour goes a long way to improve these awkward situations with international guests and reinstating us as a true international destination.”

Statistics have shown the lockout laws have lowered the assault rate 49 per cent in Kings Cross and 13 per cent in the CBD, and that has not been reflected by a steep increase in other areas.

Last year when he announced changes to the laws, former premier Mike Baird said there would be an annual review of statistics to determine whether further relaxations were considered.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed this.

Holding firm: Premier Gladys Berejiklian

“The NSW government has a responsibility to protect public safety, but we are not about stopping people from enjoying themselves,” she said. “We have ... extended operating hours for 20 venues in the CBD and Kings Cross and will consider further extensions.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of the lockout laws but our number one priority remains protecting the community.”