Enmore Road Has Been Classified as a Special Entertainment Precinct for the Next Three Months

Enmore Road is the focus of a new trial from the NSW Government and Inner West Council that will see it host more live music and entertainment for at least the next three months. The bustling Sydney street will be trialled as a Special Entertainment Precinct — a classification that was first given to Enmore Theatre last year — between Thursday, September 1 and Wednesday, November 30.

Special Entertainment Precincts are a new government initiative aiming to revitalise and enhance Sydney's nightlife and arts industries. As part of the initiative, Enmore Road businesses will be encouraged to host live music and entertainment, with a range of special allowances for venues during the trial period.

Ben Sanford

Allowances afforded to the precinct include granting businesses that host live entertainment later opening hours, allowing footpath dining until 11pm and changes to sound levels and noise complaints at venues. Under the initiative, Enmore Road venues that usually don't hold live entertainment including barber shops and cafes will also be encouraged to take part in the trial.

Businesses that do host at least one hour of live entertainment will be permitted to stay open an additional 30 minutes after the hours they are currently permitted on the days when the entertainment takes place. These businesses will also receive more protection from noise complaints under new sound regulations.

The trial applies to all of Enmore Road as well as the attached sidestreets and backstreets like Belmore Lane and Enmore Lane.

Kitti Gould

The Precinct Management Plan states: "Enmore Road is a vibrant mixed-use precinct with a flourishing arts and live music scene. Activity takes place throughout the day into the night, with a range of offerings for local residents and visitors to the area. Good neighbourhood amenity is maintained for residents, and any disputes are settled in a proactive and neighbourly fashion. The three-month trial period is an on the ground consultation for the community, with feedback received to inform the future of the precinct."

One venue that will be opening to the public just in time for the new allowances will be the Porteno group's new tapas joint Bar Louise. The bar is set to open next week in the former digs of beloved Enmore Road Turkish eatery Stanbuli following its closure earlier this year.

The Inner West Council is currently asking for feedback on the trial on its website.

Cassandra Hannagan

Find out more information about Enmore Road's Special Entertainment Precinct trial at the Inner West Council website.