Importantly, the lockout law trial, set to kick off on September 1, was agreed upon by venue owners in Newtown and Enmore – not enforced by the NSW Government as the Kings Cross and CBD’s infamous laws were in 2014.
Owners from “almost all” late night venues—including Zanzibar, The Bank and the Marlborough Hotel—in the area reportedly met to sign an agreement on the measures yesterday, which will introduce lockouts: no new patrons allowed past 3AM, with punters already in venues before that time needing pass outs to re-enter once the clock strikes 3. Sales of shots and doubles will also cease after midnight for some venues.
The iconic LGBTI-friendly Enmore stalwart The Sly Fox Hotel was the only venue in the area to not join the agreement.
The laws come as Newtown has suffered from the domino effect of Sydney’s lockout laws: punters locked out of CBD venues often trickle to the inner west in the lockout-free zone – a phenomena that has increased numbers in the early hours of Friday and Saturday nights.
Earlier this year, transgender woman Stephanie McCarthy, who was bashed at a Newtown pub, claimed Sydney’s lockout laws were making Newtown unsafe as a consequence. “It might well make Kings Cross safer, but it’s destroying Newtown.” McCarthy said in June.
Newtown’s Liquor Accord chairman Tim Clayton also cited the unsavoury effect lockout laws were having on Newtown, saying the new adoption of 3AM lockouts will deter kick-ons in the Inner West. “Don’t even think of heading to Newtown at 3am after a night out in the city, as you simply won’t get into venues,” Clayton said.
Lockout laws in Newtown, starting in September, will only apply on Friday and Saturday nights.
Yet again, another case of a small number of dickheads ruining nice things for the well-behaved majority. CHEERS.
via SMH.
Lead image by Peter Macdiarmid via Getty.
