Project Sydney: Pubs and clubs say seven changes need to be implemented to save our night life

Sydney’s night life is set to get its glitter back with nanny state laws banning disco balls and pulling the plug on rock bands about to be axed — although it’s just for a three month trial.

• Lockout laws and red tape are killing Sydney’s night life
• 141 Sydney suburbs where you can’t get a drink

Sydney’s night life is set to get its glitter back with nanny state laws banning disco balls and pulling the plug on rock bands about to be axed — although it’s just for a three month trial.

The Daily Telegraph can ­reveal venues labouring under often decades-old licence conditions will be able to apply to Liquor & Gaming NSW to have restrictions removed for free during the 12-week blitz.

“Some of the conditions … serve no purpose at all today,” NSW Racing Minister Paul Toole said.

“The NSW Government is committed to streamlining regulation of licensed venues to encourage safe and vibrant entertainment options.”

Max McCann and Ally Chuang pictured enjoying a drink at The Dock in Redfern. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It’s an issue at the heart of a parliamentary report to be handed down today. The venue crisis is so bad bands are passing up Sydney for Canberra and even Dubbo.

A recent parliamentary inquiry into the state’s music and arts economy uncovered hundreds of NSW pubs, clubs and restaurants languishing under “archaic and laughable” bans.

In one instance, Surry Hills bar Goros was prohibited from having a mirror ball with flashing lights while Sydney Fringe Festival organisers were livid over a “no DJs, no dancing” clause enforced by police.

Kings Cross locals Alexander Porter, 30, and Anna Mace, 27, say they don't enjoy living in the area anymore and want the lockout laws repealed. Picture: Richard Dobson

And Sydney-based DJ-producer Kristy Lee Peters or KLP, said many musicians were moving overseas because there’s “not much left here to nourish a creative career”.

“Recently I travelled to Europe … I was shocked and a little embarrassed how Sydney’s lack of night-life and the effect of the lockout laws is now known worldwide,” she told the inquiry.

KLP aka Kristy Lee Peters, DJ, artist and now boss of Ricochet Songs told the inquiry Sydney’s lockout laws make the city an international laughing stock. Picture: Richard Dobson

It comes as Upper House MPs today vote on the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers’ bill to repeal the controversial lockout laws. However, party member Robert Borsak last night said he anticipated the bill would not get support from the Opposition and Coalition.

Amsterdam’s first night mayor Mirik Milan told The Daily Telegraph the lockout laws have “diminished the whole city”.

“Globally, the image of Sydney unfortunately is that it’s a dead city,” he said. “I see a city which has a lot of opportunities of attracting a lot of talent because it’s such a great place to live but it’s really about finding the right balance.”

Pub and club owners know what needs to be fixed to save Sydney's night life.

Solotel chief executive Justine Baker, whose company runs the Kings Cross Hotel, said: “There is a perception that Sydney is shut down”.

“Our employment after midnight has significantly dropped across all our venues, both in staff and in entertainment programming,” she said.

“There needs to be a prioritisation of and a focus on the value of the night time economy and creative industries at a statewide level.”

Meanwhile, the City of Sydney has proposed a 24-hour trading zone in the CBD from Darling Harbour to Hyde Park and Central Station. Sydney councillor Jess Scully said Sydneysiders “just want to be treated as adults”.

“They want to know they can have a safe and fun night out that isn’t about being pushed in and out of certain areas,” she said. The council will vote on the proposal on Monday.