Size matters as small bars era begins

Plans for Oxford St’s first small wine bar under the new liquor licensing laws went on display this week, with more in the pipeline.

Hopeful licensee Jack Brown said he moved up from Melbourne to take advantage of the opportunities the legislation created.

Before these laws it wasn’t financially viable for someone like me to do what we’re trying to do, Brown told Sydney Star Observer. They’ve been in place in Melbourne for a while, so it’s become quite competitive.

The venue at 133 Oxford St, near the Colombian Hotel, has space for just 100 people and lacks a dancefloor. Instead Brown said the bar would be furnished with couches.

Our target market is 25 to 35-year-old young professionals who are looking for a more sophisticated and intimate environment than what is currently available in the area, Brown said.

The bar doesn’t yet have a name, and still has to pass City planning requirements, but if approved would only stay open till 1am on weekends.

More applications for licences under the new small bars rules are in the pipeline, a spokesman for the City of Sydney said, but this was the first being considered for Oxford St.

The City has received a number of enquiries from people interested in setting up laneway businesses and small bars in the City of Sydney, the spokesman said.

The City is also working with the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing to streamline the application process for small bars and simplify guidelines to make it easier for laneway applicants with innovative and creative ideas to be realised.

Oxford St’s other venues-in-waiting include the former Cafe 191 and the former UN/DCM. Both have applied for a 3am licence, with DCM also looking for longer 6am hours on weekends.