There is no doubt that night life in Sydney is highly restricted in comparison with Melbourne and Brisbane and this is because of our unique " lockout " laws. Unfortunately, they were necessary because this city had managed to concentrate its night time frivolity in the inner city suburb of Kings Cross. It became the Mecca for late night carousing with huge crowds moving between the various venues and drunken behaviour resulting in numerous deaths.
What became known as " the Golden Mile " was making fortunes for venue owners and it was totally out of control. When the lockout laws came into force Kings Cross simply died, and what now constitutes Sydney nightlife moved to dispersal in the suburbs. Those laws have served their purpose and if they are relaxed there is no danger of a Kings Cross revival. The dispersal to the suburbs is permanent.
Along with the lockout laws Sydney has seen a contraction of live music. Most of the great Australian bands got their start playing gigs in suburban pubs and drawing a following. The imposition of strict noise laws have closed those venues and in many cases live music has been replaced by poker machines.
New South Wales will have a state election next year and Labor leader Michael Daley is campaigning with a promise to rejuvenate the live music scene. In many cases these noise laws are connected to liquor licenses and this has resulted in an over sensitive approach to any form of entertainment. The noise restrictions apply to motor traffic when patrons leave a venue and their late night conversation in suburban streets. The authorities seem to err on license restriction imposition to satisfy even the most mundane noise complaints.
In the past, suburban pubs were the epicentre of local entertainment and noise was an accepted outcome. The relentless search for living space has seen high rise surround these venues and immediately clamour for noise restrictions. This is illustrated by the experience of Luna Park on the north shore. It has been in place since the 1930's but now surrounding high rise owners are demanding early closure and restrictions on rides. They were well aware they were living next to a fun park when they purchased their units.
The Sydney lockout laws are a result on a phenomenon that applied uniquely to Sydney. Kings Cross was this city's " red light " district and during the years of the Vietnam war this city became the leading " R and R " centre for American and Australian troops being rested from combat. As a result, venues adopted a raunchy flavour and this carried over to civilian titillation when the war ended. Kings Cross became a concentration of " girly " shows that drew big crowd numbers who moved between competing venues late at night. Drunken fights between inebriated patrons set an ugly scene that demanded rectification.
These strict laws have already been eased and the need for their abolition seems clear. They served their purpose and along with live music this city is ready to rejoin its place as a sophisticated entertainment venue. This coming election is where the necessary law changes will be put to the test.
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