COVID-era restrictions on alcohol removed to help Sydney’s nightlife

ABC NEWS (Australia)

COVID-era restrictions on alcohol are being removed to help revitalise Sydney's struggling nightlife. Soon, patrons will be allowed to drink standing up al-fresco style outside venues.

Transcript

00:00Sydney's nightlife may be on its knees, but the state government is keen to get it back

00:06on its feet.

00:07We've got a red tape hangover in New South Wales after decades of over-regulation.

00:12Not all of it makes sense, and where it doesn't, we're determined to remove it.

00:16The changes are a rollback of COVID-era rules that require patrons to be seated in outdoor

00:21areas when drinking alcohol in licensed venues.

00:24We say it's not up to the state government to tell people whether to stand up or sit

00:27down.

00:28Responsible adults, good venues, should be allowed people to make that choice.

00:32The changes are part of the second wave of reforms, which include special entertainment

00:37precincts.

00:38Venues will be able to use spaces such as footpaths to accommodate alfresco drinkers.

00:43Any reason for us to be able to have more people enjoying a schooner at the pub in a

00:48more comfortable way means the world to us.

00:51All the oldest Australiana photos you see of pubs and stuff like that is groups of blokes

00:56either in their thongs inside or standing out the front having a schooner.

00:59So if we can promote more of that sort of a lifestyle in Sydney.

01:02Even if it would mean more potential risks for venues.

01:05It'd be nice on a summer's day and things like that, you know, but I think you'd have

01:10to call, you'd have to stay a certain time, you know, that you couldn't have it because

01:13people get silly when they've had a few more extra drinks than that.

01:17And so you have to have security.

01:19The minister acknowledged these new rules alone won't be enough to solve Sydney's nightlife

01:23woes, but they can help when combined with other plan measures like reducing licensing

01:27fees.

01:28While the plans will ultimately require the support of local councils, it seems pub patrons

01:33in New South Wales will soon have no excuse not to stand their rounds.

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