Noose on Sydney’s nightlife

Sydney’s nightlife is facing an impending apocalypse at the hands of the local council, who are determined to restrict nightlife and prevent any revelers from reveling.

Now not only do patrons have to deal with the discriminatory practices of bouncers, but also the draconian measures of the City of Sydney, who have proposed changes that will increase its powers to close bars at midnight.

This follows the 2 am lockout, which imposes restrictions on many of the state’s licensed venues and aims to have would be party animals in bed by a decent hour.

The ubiquitous phrase “alcohol fuelled violence” is being thrown around again to justify Clover Moore’s yearlong effort to limit trading hours. Moore was also a partner in the 2009 Sydney liquor taskforce, created with Nathan Rees.

The saturation of legislation on Sydney venues in recent years combined with hefty tax increases on alcohol has damaged prospects of an enjoyable night out for many. The alcopop accused of inciting alcohol fuelled violence, Smirnoff Double Black, is pushing $12, and patrons are even emptying their wallets for a can of VB.

After midnight, venues cannot serve shots, or any drink with an alcoholic content of more than 5 per cent. But local authorities are still unashamedly blaming venues such as Oxford Art Factory and World Bar for drunk, disorderly and anti-social behavior.

The popular Oxford Art Factory currently has two DAs in consideration with the City of Sydney Council. The first application seeks to do away with the requirement for a trial period for late night trade, and the second would allow the venue to provide entertainment during the day. Local residents have since accused OAF of producing noise and disorderly patrons, and the City of Sydney council has now been called to review the two DAs and may threaten the venue itself.

Proprietor of OAF Mark Gerber has suggested the council’s solution may be increased cooperation between authorities, residents and venue owners.

Mr Gerber is also disappointed that after three years of presenting international level artists such as Tex Perkins and The Living End, the council and the police would not regard OAF as an institution of culture, not a drinking hole.

The risk is also that as more clubs and pubs are forced to limit their hours, Sydney will transform from a vibrant hub into a cemetery.

A midnight closure would effectively place what Mr Gerber terms a “drastic financial noose” around the necks of businesses in the CBD.

And if patrons are not enjoying themselves inside venues, it also leaves the all important question of where they will go to quench their thirst when all the watering holes across Sydney have dried up.