Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar fined by NT Liquor Commission, no more ‘happy hour’ promotions allowed

Happy hour at a bar in the Red Centre’s capital is set to be a thing of the past, after the Territory’s Liquor Commission issued a disciplinary action. Find out more.

Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar, located in the Gap, Alice Springs. Picture: Gera Kazakov

A noise complaint from a neighbouring resident to a Red Centre bar – who says he can hear every noise in the place, “even a burp” – has led to disciplinary action.

The Territory’s Liquor Commission has taken action against the venue, resulting in a fine, an order for no more “happy hour” promotions, and other measures.

Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar, located next to Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs, fronted the Northern Territory Liquor Commission in August over three complaints, with commission chairman Russell Goldflam delivering his findings on September 6.

In the decision notes, the first complaint came from a neighbour who was unhappy with the noise; the second from a liquor inspector who levelled a service of food complaint; and the third was a complaint there was a 17-year-old behind the bar serving alcohol.

The current licensee, 2SCCP – represented by principal executive officer Sachindra Chaurasiya – did not dispute a minor had worked behind the bar, Mr Goldflam said in the decision.

A monetary penalty of $880 was imposed for employing the minor, Mr Goldfalm said in the decision.

Mr Chaurasiya, through 2SCCP, took over the licence in 2023, and currently lives in Queensland, where he runs a Pizza Hut, Mr Goldflam’s decision said.

NT Liquor Commission chair Russell Goldflam. Picture: JEFF TAN

Prior to 2SCCP taking over the license to the venue, in “2020 or 2021”, John Bailey purchased a house on Willshire St, next to the bar, Mr Goldflam’s decision said.

Before purchasing the property, Mr Bailey “spent time in Willshire St to see whether the licensed premises next door would be a source of disturbance to neighbours”, Mr Goldflam’s decision said.

Testifying at the hearing, Mr Bailey said as time went on he grew sick of the “doof doof” music coming from the venue, and said “we can hear every single noise in the place, even a burp”.

Inside the Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar, Alice Springs, 2024. Picture: Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar/ NT Liquor Commission

However, when the Liquor Commission visited the premises and his residence, they found Mr Bailey’s claim of hearing every burp alongside loud music “was inconsistent”.

“At the Commission’s request, the licensee arranged for the venue’s sound system to be set up, and played moderately loud prerecorded music in the beer garden,” Mr Goldflam’s decision said.

“Commission members then walked next door to Mr Bailey’s yard, and observed that the music, which was still apparently playing at the same volume, was so soft that it was inaudible on the recording Chairman Goldflam made on his mobile phone.”

For the noise complaint, Mr Goldflam ordered no live music be played at the venue until an agreed decibel level could be set.

Loud music could be played at “special functions” which could run until 2am – but only six were allowed in one year, Mr Goldflam said.

For the meal complaint, Mr Goldflam ordered light meals be made available throughout the night until 1.5 hours before the bar shuts.

The venue will also not be allowed to run “happy hour” promotions, as they were in breach of current liquor licensing conditions.

Originally published as Jump Inn Craft Beer Bar fined by NT Liquor Commission, no more ‘happy hour’ promotions allowed