The Erskineville Hotel and several other venues across New South Wales, will soon be able to host live entertainment again as restrictions previously imposed are set to be lifted.
For years, the Erskineville Hotel has been unable to offer live performances due to rules set during the development approval (DA) process. Despite being located in a vibrant nightlife area, the venue was barred from providing entertainment, frustrating both the owners and patrons.
Restrictions Across Venues
These limitations weren’t unique to the Erskineville Hotel. Many other venues have faced similar challenges. The Mitch Hotel in Alexandria was restricted from offering acoustic performances on Sunday afternoons due to a “no entertainment” clause in its consent. The Petersham Public House was banned from having amplified music in outdoor areas like beer gardens, and Barangaroo House had restrictions on strobe lights and disco balls.
In regional areas, rules also limited entertainment choices. For example, the South Dubbo Tavern only permitted small cover bands, meaning original rock bands were prohibited. These restrictions created difficulties for venue owners trying to bring a variety of performances to their customers.
Action to Remove Bans
In response to widespread frustration from venue owners and local communities, live music and entertainment bans are being removed. This change is part of broader reforms aimed at boosting the local entertainment scene and simplifying the regulations that have hindered live performances.
Local business owners have expressed relief, as the previous system allowed local councils to dictate specific entertainment options. In some cases, venues were allowed to host certain performances, like rock bands, but were barred from hosting choirs or other group performances due to strict performer limits.
These changes are expected to give venue owners more flexibility, allowing them to offer a wider range of entertainment without the burden of excessive restrictions.
Impact on Local Communities
Venue owners across the state have welcomed the removal of these entertainment bans, citing long-standing frustrations with the old system. Karl Schlothauer, owner of the Pocket Bar in Terrigal, explained how the restrictions affected his ability to host unique performances. He could not book four poets for a reading because the rules only allowed a maximum of three performers at a time. Schlothauer noted that despite the bar’s beachfront location, where noise is not a major concern, these restrictions made it difficult to provide diverse entertainment options for patrons.
With these rules lifted, communities can expect to see a broader variety of live music, poetry readings, and other performances returning to their local venues. This is likely to have a positive impact on the local nightlife and economy, as outdated and often arbitrary rules will no longer limit venues.
Looking Ahead
The changes are part of ongoing efforts to support the music and night-time economies across New South Wales. By simplifying regulations and allowing venues like the Erskineville Hotel to offer more entertainment options, the hope is to revitalise local communities and support the state’s cultural and social life.
As these reforms take effect, venues across the state are looking forward to greater flexibility in hosting live performances, which will bring more choice and vibrancy to the local entertainment scene.
Published 23-Oct-2024
