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.
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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.