Sydney’s lockout laws scrapped after 12 years of nightlife restrictions

In a huge win for nightlife in Sydney, the city’s 12-year "lockout laws" have now been scrapped as the state government bids to elevate Sydney’s night time economy.

The move was announced on Wednesday (January 21) by the Minister for Music and the Night Time Economy, John Graham, exactly 12 years to the day after restrictions were first enforced.

Restrictive laws were initially introduced by former Premier of New South Wales (NSW) Barry O'Farrell, which stopped Sydneysiders from partying past 3:30AM with last drink orders to be made by 3:AM, and also limited the number of drinks that could be bought per person.

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The laws were put in place in 2014 to help curb substance-fuelled violence, which led to the deaths of two people that same year, and also originally included 1:30AM lockout rules until they were scrapped in January 2020.

After being introduced, the controversial laws took a toll on Sydney’s nightlife culture, which, according to Time Out, led to more than half of the city’s live music venues closing in the subsequent decade.

“We are now declaring that the lockout laws have been completely abolished. I’m delighted to say goodbye to this chapter of Sydney’s nightlife story,” says John Graham.

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He continued: “The lockouts had good intentions but a diabolical impact on the night-time economy and the reputation of our city.”

“As part of this final farewell to the laws, the NSW Government is also repealing the mandated use of plastic cups and the requirement for RSA marshals after midnight for certain venues.”

Read the NSW government’s full statement here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X