Lock-out changes hit more venues
Changes to the state Government’s list of restricted venues will affect the operation of a number of Oxford St venues from December 1.
The Colombian has been added to the list of restricted venues with a level one listing, while the Gaff has had its restricted status increased to level two.
Level one venues will be subject to a 2am lock-out and must stop serving alcohol half an hour before closing. Patrons will be sold no more than four drinks at a time, and will face a 10 minute time-out on drink sales at midnight. Venues must also increase their security and use plastic shot glasses.
In addition, level two venues will be required to use all plastic glassware and have ten-minute time-outs on drink sales on the hour, every hour after midnight.
Arq, the Oxford, and the Exchange Hotel have been taken off the list and had their restrictions removed, as has the Home club at Darling Harbour,
Chief operating officer of the Landmark Leisure Group, which owns the Oxford Hotel, Steven Speed, said he welcomed the decision to remove the venue from the controversial list.
“Yes, of course, although we have voluntarily opted to keep some of the restriction strategies in place as part of our venue safety plan to ensure we are providing the community, management and staff with a safe and secure environment to enjoy long-term,” Speed told Sydney Star Observer.
As for the Oxford being on the list in the first place, Speed said something had had to change.
“The hotel was being driven toward a market that was not sustainable long-term. The statistics and receivership were a reflection of this — it had lost its connection and trust with the gay community,” he said.
“Management and staff changes have been made to rectify this and it is starting to show positive results.”
Arq owner Shadd Danesi said he was very happy to see his venue come off the list. “This will enable us to start operating the business the way it always should have been running,” he said.
However, Danesi is still concerned at the system’s ability to determine which venues are really causing problems.
“Arq, along with many other hotels, were unjustifiably put on this list in the first place,” he said.
“They have to give hotels the right of reply. Under the new system they are doing that to some extent and that is a move in the right direction.
“But personally I would like to see an independent person and not a government department assessing what is going on.”
Asquith. Your too young to “Understand”
Asquith, Sydney doesnt have enough Cafes! You can walk for miles around and not find a decent affordable place to eat. The more Cafes a city has, the cheaper the prices are. Also they make streets and laneways look more classier. Sydney lacks culture full stop.
I don’t understand you Oliver, you are always against gay venue’s, always bagging them out, not everyone who goes to a gay pub is sleazy, rude, looking for sex (and all the other ridiculous descriptions you have posted in other articles regarding gay clubs/pubs), a gay venue is a place for people to meet other’s/socialise in a safe setting, I don’t know what type of mind you have but its not ALL about sleaze.
Whets even more concerning is that you seem to always cry out that they should open more cafe’s, if you can’t find a cafe in the whole of Sydney then you seriously need your eyes adjusted, are you talking about cafe’s in oxford street?? there are plenty! if you can’t find them, again you need your eyes adjusted, I would be surprised to know if you are talking about more cafe’s in oxford street as in one post you so proudly boasted “I don’t need to goto a gay venue just becuase I’m gay”.
If you find gay nightlife repulsive, doesn’t mean everyone else should – Everyone has there thing in regards to what they want to do and what they don’t want to do socially.
Grow up!
p.s this country is going to the dogs becuase of people like you who seem to go against anything people/government/organisations do to help implement change to make existing in this life more of a positive.
Close down all the pubs and clubs and open some nice Cafes! Then we wont have these problems. People get themselves “Plastered” on a Friday and Saturday night only to brag about their sad little lives at work the next Monday. Its all about who done what and the photos they took. No wonder this countrys going to the dogs.
Why are people so worried about whether their favourite pub is on The List or not? Pubs are on The List because of the actions of drunken, violent patrons who are probably alcoholics to boot.
By not addressing alcoholism and alcohol fuelled violence, gays would end up the losers. So many gay people have been bashed or murdered by drunken thugs over the years that this issue can’t be ignored.
The Columbian has become another round the clock recovery venue full of straight retards and it is not surprising to see it on this list, if the absurd list really must exist. Does anyone know if the Stonewall still on the list? That should never have happened. It is one of the most responsible venues on oxford st, not violent at all !
Alcohol abuse is the same or worse than that of the general community in the gay community. For very understandable reasons. Therefore any effort that helps to attack that abuse should be a welcome development to the gay community. I think it is good to see exactly the same standards applies here as is being done everywhere else. A sign of real progress in fact.
Stevie the gaff was on the list & has been increased in rating meaning more restrictions (in the article above). I agree about the courthouse though.
To Darl & Oliver, what do u care what others choose to do at night? Some people finish work very late (like midnight), can’t they enjoy a drink in a gay bar after work?
I agree with Mister that stonewall shouldn’t be on the list, I rarely go but enjoy it when there & never seen any violence
Darl, I agree, at 2am, go to bed for gods sakes. As for Stonewall, they were rude towards me and my friend once and I wouldnt spend a cent in that place. Full of Drags and Twinks, yeah! ones that know no better.
I STILL cant believe Stonewall is STILL on the list!!
I do not care for the place, and rarely go there, but surely the place has to be the least violent club on the strip!!
Its full of drag queens and twinks for gods sake!
At the end of the day, you should not even be in a trashy gay bar at 2am.
GO HOME PEOPLE. LOL
I think the Colombian is somewhat justified to be on the list as the place just gets so crazy and trashy after a certain hour. When it first opened it had a much nicer cocktail lounge feel but now it is a 24 hour recovery-style venue that seems to let everyone on the street in. I do think it’s very disappointing however that neither Havana, the Gaff or the Courthouse will be subject to 2am lockouts
so glad arq has been taken off!
Blame drunken, aggressive customers for this outcome. Some people should just get obliterated at home and leave others in peace. Or not drink at all.
Can not believe the columbian has been put on the list! I guess the trouble will have to head back up to Arq and Oxford then, leaving the columbian a friendly if not half empty place. Love the columbians friendly and gay/straight vibe.