-
Source: Reuters -
Watch Video
Popular Sydney bars Ivy and Establishment are among 66 venues facing new restrictions because of alcohol-related violence, the NSW government says.
The restrictions, based on the number of assaults at a pub or club each year, require venues to reduce intoxication, increase patron safety and help prevent alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.
Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene said 19 of the 66 identified venues would face level one restrictions.
These restrictions include a 2am lockout, no serving of alcohol in glass or breakable containers after midnight, and no serving of alcohol 30 minutes before the venue closes.
Venues included in the level one classification include Coogee Bay Hotel, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Stonewall Hotel in central Sydney and The Mean Fiddler, in Sydney's western suburbs.
For a pub or club to be listed in the level one classification, at least 19 assaults a year must have been reported.
To be listed in the level two classification, 12 to 18 assaults need to have been reported in the same time frame.
Shark Hotel, Establishment and Ivy in Sydney's CBD are among pubs and clubs listed as level two venues.
Tea Gardens Hotel at Bondi in Sydney's eastern suburbs and PJ Gallagher's Irish Pub in Parramatta in Sydney's west also made the level two list.
Venues on level two restrictions must stop serving alcohol 30 minutes before closing, have no glass or breakable containers after midnight, and must have alcohol-free periods or free provision of water and food for 10 minutes in every hour after midnight.
Of the 48 violent venues under special restrictions last year, 25 were removed from the list because their assault rates fell below the threshold, the government said.
"It's clear the community has had enough of booze-fuelled idiots and these arrangements ensure we target the pubs and clubs with rising alcohol-related assault rates," Greene said in a statement.
