Restrictions imposed on Kings Cross venues in Sydney are set to be removed next month.
From 8 March, venues including pubs, bars and nightclubs will be able to operate and accept patrons after 1.30am.
Licensed venues will be able to serve last drinks at 3.30am with restrictions also lifted on serving cocktails, shots and drinking out of glass instead of plastic.
Select venues will still have to record patron IDs during peak times.
The lockout laws have remained in place in Kings Cross for more than six years, while restrictions were mostly eased for venues in the Sydney CBD and Oxford Street in January 2020.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Kings Cross has “transformed considerably since these laws were introduced” in 2014 to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence.
“The precinct is now well positioned to continue to evolve into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural destination with a diverse mix of small bars, live music venues and restaurants,” said the Premier.
The lockout laws were attributed as the root cause of closures of iconic Kings Cross venues such as World Bar, Hugos, Trademark and the Bank Hotel.
The changes will be reviewed in 12 months.
Image credit: Sydney City Tour