NSW Deputy Premier and NSW Police commissioner Troy Grant have attributed the Imperial’s temporary closure to a string of offences – including a patron licking alcohol off the floor, while an RSA Marshal laughed, according to SMH. “Operating a licensed venue in NSW is a privilege, not a right, and those abusing it will face the consequences,” Grant said today.
For the second time in just over a month, Erskineville‘s The Imperial Hotel has been banned from bringing in the weekend, as the iconic inner-city venue has been slapped with a 72 hour forced closure.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a police spokesperson attributed the closure to “breaches of the Liquor Act.”
Last month, The Imperial was similarly shuttered for 72 hours; the forced closure over the June 19 – 21 weekend was, however, on different charges to those issued overnight – a NSW police raid of the venue found staff members consuming illicit drugs before serving patrons.
Over on The Imperial’s facebook page, things remain relatively chill, all things considered:
“Unfortunately Imperial Hotel Ersknvl has been requested by the authorities to close for 72hrs, therefore we can not operate this weekend.
We look forward to reopening on Monday.”
The news rounded off a double-blow to the venue’s owners yesterday, as it followed hot on the heels of legendary venue Spice Cellar announcing its permanent exit from Sydney’s nightlife scene, citing the duress of lockout laws as their impetus for closing. The Spice Cellar recently moved from the CBD into The Imperial Hotel’s basement.
A heavy 24 hours for The Imperial and Spice. May above-the-board-serving-of-alcohol and 
& 
vibes return to business as usual out of Ersknvl very soon.
via SMH.
Image via Facebook.
