The Perth foodservice industry is crossing its fingers as new liquor licensing laws are introduced to WA parliament this week.

A key reform that’s being proposed is allowing restaurants to have the option of serving just drinks to people as part of changes to what the WA Government has called its “archaic” liquor laws.

It’s one of a list of changes that its predicted will lead to rise in smaller and intimate bars opening up across the state providing a boost for small businesses and more choice for consumers.

As well as giving restaurants the drinks without a meal option key changes in the reform package include:

. Creating a small bar licence category to “encourage a more vibrant café-style culture”;

. Setting up a new Liquor Commission to replace the Liquor Licensing Court aimed at providing a “less legalistic and less costly licensing process”;

. Replacing the “anti-competitive ‘needs’-based test” for new licenses with a fairer ‘public interest’ test;

. Allowing metropolitan liquor stores to open on Sundays, inn line with hotel bottle shops.

Announcing the new reforms earlier this year Racing and Gaming Minister Mark McGowan said the recommendation for allowing restaurants to apply to sell alcohol without food would mean people wanting to “enjoy a quiet glass of wine or a beer in a relaxed, uncrowded venue, will be able to do so without having to eat”

“Restaurants can currently obtain a permit to sell drinks without a meal but only in a designated area of the restaurant which does not exceed 20% of the seating capacity. This means that if people want to join family or friends for a drink but do not want to eat, they cannot sit at the same table,” he said.

“We will be changing this nonsensical rule which is out of step with modern community expectations.”