Pre-Christmas revellers to flock to Salamanca for Friday festive drinks
It’s an annual pilgrimage for many and while it might be on a smaller scale this year, Cage Night will bring the Salamanca strip to life once again. LATEST >>
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CAGE night, builders’ break-up or last Friday before Christmas drinks – call it what you will, but one of Hobart’s biggest nights of the year has arrived.
The annual knock-off drinks usually draw thousands of revellers to Salamanca for a night of festivities on the last Friday before Christmas, however this year is set to be a smaller affair with COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Ian Vaughan, managing director of Pub Banc Group, which owns Jack Greene and Cargo on the Salamanca strip said the Hobart City Council had allowed the venues to extend into the street from 3pm onwards tonight and also on New Year’s Eve.
The 4 Pines Brewing Co. Beer truck will be on site and DJs will be starting from 10pm.
Mr Vaughan said patrons being able to stand up and drink and have a dance was making it easier for staff and security to police the remaining restrictions.
“I’m happy given where we’ve come from, but I would still like to see restrictions changed after Christmas to perhaps one person per one square metre,” he said.
“While it’s still one person per two square metres, licensed venues are only operating at 50 per cent capacity, which is just enough to keep your head above water and that’s it.
“All the overheads are still building up behind the scenes.”
CAGE NIGHT 2020 IN DOUBT WITH COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
HOBART’S biggest night of the year has hit a snag, with Salamanca venue owners saying they have been left in the dark about whether a popular pre-Christmas tradition can go ahead.
Restrictions due to COVID-19 have already seen the downfall of many events in 2020, and now the traditional celebration affectionately known as cage night — less than two weeks away — is in serious doubt.
Operators have many questions and say they have been met with little answers about how the occasion — on December 18 — will be handled.
The annual knock-off drinks usually draw thousands of revellers to Salamanca for a night of festivities on the last Friday before Christmas, but this year venues fear restrictions will result in hundreds being turned away.
90+ PHOTOS: Salamanca cage nights over the years 2005-2019
They are also worried about the resultant effect on the workload of police and emergency services that night given venues will likely be at capacity.
The Whaler’s Ben Hickey has experienced his fair share of celebrations, saying cage night had been the biggest night on the calendar for many years.
“It’s been something that just happened organically over the decades. People just flocked to the area on the last Friday before Christmas to have Tasmania’s unofficial Christmas party,” he said.
But with current restrictions in place Mr Hickey said the venue was fast approaching December 18 without the ability to make a solid plan.
Traditionally, the occasion allows for the extension of Salamanca’s restaurant strip to accommodate the influx of revellers.
“We’ve got concerns for our staff and patrons about how we’re best going to manage what goes on,” he said.
“At the moment with heavy restrictions on venue capacities there’s a reality that a lot of people may not understand that we don’t have the ability to cater for them.
“The pressure on Tasmania Police and emergency services could be unprecedented in the area.”
He expected Salamanca’s issues to persist right through to New Year’s Eve.
“We really need a solution to keep everybody happy and safe,” he said.
“Generally patrons have been really respectful of the COVID guidelines, but with such a large gathering of people in a public place it’s going to get very difficult.”
Suzie Luck’s Kif Weber raised concerns over how busy the streets will get later in the evening.
“Our staff have got to get home or find their way to a cab and it’ll be interesting to see how that is for the public,” he said.
“It would just be nice to know what the parameters are for the public and what they’re going to be operating on, so that we can help out the emergency services as well and engage with them. They’re going to have a tough night.”
Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said several applications for permits for venues to extend their licenced areas had been received for cage night and New Year’s Eve.
“A road closure will be implemented as in previous years from 3pm on the 18th and that will be repeated on New Year’s Eve.”
Tasmania Police Acting Inspector Justin Lawson said there would be a police presence in the waterfront area.
“We want people to enjoy themselves but in a responsible and safe manner,” he said.
“Plan ahead. If you plan on drinking, take public transport or have a designated driver.”
The Mercury put a series of questions to the state government around concerns raised by venue owners.
The state government clarified premises and event directions allowed more than 250 people to drink alcohol in a the outdoor area of a licenced premises provided the total is within the density and cap requirements and no more than 250 are standing.
They encouraged operators to keep up-to-date with current information and ensure the overall safety of their patrons.
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