On the face of it, this NSW Government announcement seems pretty positive. It says new laws (proposed – it’s a private member’s bill at present) will allow small bars to serve alcohol without food, with licence fees cut from about $15,000 to as little as $500 for a small bar and $2000 for a hotel.
The devil’s in the detail, as Clover Moore said this morning; but, if it’s all in order, it’ll be interesting to see whether this inspires a spate of new venues and live spaces.
Comments
There’s been a lot of excitement about this, and understandably so. After all, doesn’t this mean we’re almost, like, melbourne now?
I reckon it’s a starting point, but nothing more.
There needs to be a DIY culture of creating spaces and making something from nothing that will make sydney a more live-able culture rich city. Simply putting in bars everywhere doesn’t do jack – except create more places to drink. It has nothing to do with culture – but it might facilitate the ease in which culture is developed.
Hopefully little bars will pop up with an emphasis on more music, live music, DJs, small bands, leftfield, rightfield, places for lofi exhibition of works etc etc.. then we’re getting somewhere.
Bring on marrickville as the new hub!