Big boost coming for city’s nightlife

Pubs and clubs will be able to open their doors for longer during special events in NSW this year in a bid to reinvigorate the night-time economy.

It is the state government’s latest move to bring life back to the hospitality industry after years of lockout laws and pandemic restrictions led to widespread business closures.

The move to extend opening hours will add an additional 44 hours of trading across 20 events at venues right across the state right during the 2023 event calendar.

It will see pubs and clubs open an additional 2 hours from 10pm to midnight while hosting live viewings of major sporting games and international events like World Pride in February.

Sydney’s nightlife took a major hit when restrictions were introduced in 2014 that prevented businesses in five local government areas from letting patrons enter a premises after 1.30am.

Minister for Hospitality and Racing, Kevin Anderson said the extension will provide an extra 44 hours of trading across the year and will deliver a huge boost to our State’s hospitality industry, by creating more jobs and boosting business, while giving patrons more opportunities to socialise at venues during and after special events.

“The 2023 events calendar is taking shape and will be an exciting year, with the NSW Government already approving 20 special extensions, giving people more options to enjoy major sports, arts and cultural events.”

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into live music in 2018 found that about 176 licensed venues closed in four years.

The pandemic worsened prospects for the hospitality industry as two significant lockdown periods shuttered businesses for months on end.

Border closures also led to massive staff shortages across the industry as holiday workers and migrants unable to enter the country has created a widening staffing gap in many venues.

These are the events you can expect you can look forward to staying out late for this year:

Parkes Elvis Festival

Venues in the Parkes LGA

Open to midnight on Sunday January 8

Tamworth Country Music Festival

Tamworth regional LGA

Open to midnight on Sunday January 15 and January 22

Open Men’s Singles Final

All pubs and clubs providing live broadcast of the match

Open to midnight on Sunday January 29

World Pride Sydney

All pubs and clubs in Sydney, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills

Various extended periods for venues in Sydney, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Paddington.

Open late around 17 February to 15 March

Newcastle 500 Supercar race

Pubs and clubs in Newcastle

Open to midnight on Sunday March 12

Vivid Sydney

Pubs and clubs

Sydney, The Rocks, Barangaroo and Potts Point

Open to midnight on Sunday May 28, June 4 and June 11

Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft

Pubs and clubs in the Coonamble LGA

Open to midnight on Sunday June 5

NRL Grand Final

All pubs and clubs showing the event

Open to midnight on Sunday October 1

Bathurst 1000

All pubs and clubs in the Bathurst regional LGA

Open to midnight on Sunday October 8