‘Grumpy hour’: Happy hour rule infuriates Australian drinkers

A Sydney pub’s new happy hour rule has sparked a huge backlash among patrons.

The rule would prevent punters havin multiple drinks in front of them during happy hour

A Sydney pub’s new happy hour rule has infuriated patrons who argue it defeats the purpose of the discount rate.

A customer visiting St George Motor Boat Club, in Sydney’s south, spotted a sign on his table detailing the ‘no drink stacking’ rule.

The rule would prevent patrons having multiple drinks in front of them during the designated happy hour.

The rule would prevent punters havin multiple drinks in front of them during happy hour

“Please be advsied that, any time during happy hour if any patron has more than 1 and ½ schooners in front of them, the full schooner will be confiscated,” the sign read.

The boat club runs Happy Hour between 4 to 6pm on weekdays with schooners costing $4 compared to the usual price of $5.80.

Aussies were quick to vent their outrage

One described it as “un-Australian”.

Another said it “defeated the purpose of happy hour”.

Others said it would simply encourage people to “drink quicker”.

The price of beer continues to rise. Picture: AFP

The owner of the boat club defended the rule telling Yahoo News it was put in place nine months ago to uphold “strict Responsible Service of Alcohol regulations” after the policy was being “abused” by some patrons.

“The rule was introduced when visiting members (not locals) partake in our Happy Hour and are stunned by $4 schooners. In their excitement they tend to purchase two or three drinks at a time,” CEO Adrian Vermeulen said.

“Can you imagine eight members at a high table full of full schooners because happy hour will finish in ten minutes?”

The rules comes as beer-lovers face another blow with the tax on alcohol increasing once again, meaning a pint could soon cost more than $15.

The beer tax will increase to over $60 per litre of pure alcohol due to the February 1 indexation.

Brewers Association of Australia CEO John Preston told Herald Sun the latest price increase would have a negative impact on both brewers and beer drinkers.

“In many venues, people are paying over $15 for a pint. This is a huge amount considering how tight the family budget is,” Mr Preston said.

The excise on a pint will increase to about 90 cents, and the tax on a $55 carton of beer will exceed $20 plus GST.

The tax on a keg of beer increased by approximately $2 to $78 in August.

-with Jack Evans