War on entertainment NIMBYs declared by Minns government as bar bans to be lifted

Bizarre rules imposed on night-time venues, including bans on disco balls and even one instance that stopped erotic female poets from taking stage have been relaxed by the Minns government, here’s how.

Bizarre rules imposed on pubs and bars such as a “covers band only” clause to no choirs or a ban on disco balls are to be torn up as the Minns government declares war on entertainment “NIMBIES”.

Imposed by local councils as part of the DA process, the rules have been a source of extreme frustration among venue owners wanting to offer a variety of entertainment to punters.

A review of the rules has turned up clauses relating to the genre of music that can be played or to a stipulation that covers rather than original music is performed.

At the Mitch Hotel in Alexandria, attempts to put on acoustic music on Sunday afternoons has faltered with a “no entertainment” clause written into the venue’s development consent.

Over at the Erskineville “Erko” Hotel, the venue is also barred from providing entertainment despite its location in a going-out hotspot.

The Erskineville Hotel, known as the Erko is barred from providing entertainment.

The Petersham Public House is banned from having amplified music in the beer garden while conditions imposed on Barangaroo House bans strobe lights and disco balls.

Regional venue owners are also up against the same bizarre rules, with South Dubbo Tavern only allowed to put on “small cover bands” rather than original rock bands.

The clause means the Tavern could technically host an AC/DC cover band, but if Angus

Young came to town he would be unable to plug in his guitar and play Thunderstruck as a soloist.

In the case of the Pocket Bar in Terrigal, owner Karl Schlothauer was unable to explore an invitation for four erotic female poets to perform in his venue – but it was not for the reason you would expect.

Public House Petersham was banned form having amplified music. Picture: Supplied

Under conditions of his DA, Mr Schlothauer – who is allowed 120 in his venue – is restricted to having a maximum of three performers, meaning he could technically put on a rock band, but not a choir or group of poetry readers.

When he first opened the bar, he was restricted only having soloists, duets, trios or “low background music” with the consent tweaked to enable “amplified” background music.

“We’re smack bang in the middle of the esplanade opposite the beach – all the noise goes out to the ocean – but it has been impossible to get some of these restrictions to be removed,” Mr Schlothauer told The Sunday Telegraph.

The Pocket Bar Terrigal. Picture: Sue Graham

“We are currently asking for expressions of interest for artists to perform at our venue, and I was asked about a group of poets.

“I am keen to give most things a go, but as I wrote to the council, under these conditions I can’t even have four mature people reading erotic poetry. We’ve even had to turn away a choir. We can have a rock band, but not a choir. ”

As part of the second tranche of the government’s vibrancy reforms, Music and Night-Time

Economy Minster John Graham will override the ban. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Economy Minister John Graham said the prohibition on live entertainment in hotels, clubs and small bars will be overridden.

“When it’s a DA not the DJ choosing the tracks, you know the system has lost its way,” he said.

“People don’t want their local councillor or state minister deciding what they listen to and what live music they can see.

“The Vibrancy Reforms are remastering a tangle of red tape and restrictions that do not pass the pub test, quite literally.”

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