Kings Cross set to join the rest of the city for last drinks at 3:30am.
Starting midnight today, visitors to Kings Cross will be able to enter venues beyond the 1:30am cut-off time and order drinks up until 3:30am. These drinks, shots and cheap cocktails included, will also be served in glasses and no longer in plastic cups. (Featured image: Ashley)
Restrictions on certain drinks, shots, cut-price cocktails and glass tumblers after midnight will also be turned around.
Minister for Jobs Stuart Ayres had previously said it was time for Sydney to shine as a true 24-hour city.
”Sydney is already an iconic international city and Australia’s number one tourism destination, it’s time to enhance our vibrant nightlife, arts and culture scenes as we bounce back from COVID-19,” he said.
Late last year, Sydney’s night-time economy was given the go-ahead to open up with key changes in the Liquor Amendment Bill 2020 being made. These included less bureaucratic red tape for venues, the removal of outdated live music restrictions, small bars allowed to permit minors (circumstantial) for more family-friendly services, and a new incentives and sanctions system for venues.
Nonetheless, safety will continue to be a sticking point for the NSW government in the Kings Cross area. Subsequently, some venues will still be required to record patrons’ ID during busy times, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
To help the city transition into a truly global city, a night-time mayor position has been created and been filled by Michael Rodrigues, the current Time Out Australia managing director. His new position will see him champion all the possibilities that the night offers Sydney’s hospitality industry to bounce back from the tough year it has had.
As part of Sydney’s vision for the night, performing arts, music and culture, live sports, night clubs, and galleries will be allowed to remain open for longer while cinemas, bars, pubs and hotels will also be granted more flexibility and the necessary help to expand into the evening. Consequently, we’ll likely see more restaurants, food trucks and food markets opening up to give all Sydneysiders more nighttime options.
To find out more about Sydney’s vision, head over to the NSW government’s outline.