Overview
Looks like Sydney's going to get a taste of the old days; the lockout laws will be lifted for one night only on New Year's Eve. Confirmed by the state government and reported by the Daily Telegraph this morning, the laws are apparently being lifted to avoid crazy rushes to venues before 1:30am after the fireworks finish. In other words, you'll be treated like some kind of responsible adult for one glorious evening. Now, don't fuck it up.
If you're venturing into the CBD on New Year's Eve (you dedicated shindig-seeker you), you'll be able to enter CBD/Kings Cross bars, pubs and clubs until 3am — so popping out for a cheeky 2am ciggie won't separate you from your bag and buddies this NYE. Last drinks at 3am, as per usual, and bars won't be changing their closing time.
Seems there's been a bucketload of meetings on this one; according to the Tele, the state government was apparently advised to lift the lockouts by the City of Sydney, the police and the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing — all three said it would improve safety for the night. According to the office of Deputy Premier and liquor and hospitality minister Troy Grant, the lockout lift is a means to avoid accidents at Sydney's wharves in particular, with fireworks watchers heading into the city and trying to beat the clock to the kick-on party.
"This is a commonsense approach for what is the biggest night on the Sydney calendar," said Grant. "Sydney is the greatest city in the world to spend New Year’s Eve and I want people to have fun, be safe and look after their mates... This is about striking the right balance between common sense, industry and individual responsibility."
So Sydney, keep your punches in your damn pockets and celebrate the New Year with a window into the old way of things. Or just watch the fireworks from a Newtown pub and leave your eyelids unbatted on this one.
Via Daily Telegraph.
Image: Hai Linh Truong cc.