Two beloved Sydney venues have been granted extensions to their opening times, after their applications to the New South Wales Government were accepted.
The Stonewall Hotel on Oxford Street and World Bar in Kings Cross will now be able to stay open a little later, with drinks served until 3:30am instead of 3am, with the venues’ lockouts coming into effect at 2am instead of 1:30am.
“This means five venues in the CBD and Kings Cross that are providing live entertainment are now able to serve drinks until 3.30am,” says NSW Minister for Racing Paul Toole.
World Bar is the first Kings Cross venue to be granted an extension from Sydney’s controversial lockout laws. Other Sydney venues The Palace Hotel, ArtHouse Hotel and Observer Hotel have previously been granted lockout extensions.
In a statement, the Stonewall Hotel has thanked the Government for relaxing its lockout and acknowledging that the venue hosts live entertainment.
“The Management, Staff and Security for keeping our venue safe and who work tirelessly to uphold the Stonewall values,” venue operators say. “This is wonderful news for not only the Stonewall Hotel but also Oxford Street and our LGBTQI community.”
Read their full statement, below.
Applications from 15 other venues are currently being assessed by the NSW Government.
Meanwhile, the Keep Sydney Open movement is preparing to hold its third anti-lockouts rally in Martin Place this weekend.
Stonewall Hotel Statement (Via Facebook)
Stonewall Hotel would like to thank the Government for relaxing the lock out law on Stonewall Hotel and acknowledging that we provide live entertainment benefiting to the arts and cultural activities. From Friday the 17th Feb the changes will be made allowing patrons to enter the Stonewall Hotel up until 2am and last drinks at 3.30am. We would like to thank all our amazing Performers and DJ’s who provide the entertainment to visitors from all over the world.
The Management, Staff and Security for keeping our venue safe and who work tirelessly to uphold the Stonewall values. This is wonderful news for not only the Stonewall Hotel but also Oxford Street and our LGBTQI community.
We hope that this is only the beginning and other Oxford Street venues will also receive extensions. Entertainment has always been important to our community and bringing people together in the name of Equality.
