Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore is pleased with the way that small bars are helping to revitalise the city since legislative changes came through in July, 2008.

“Last week I opened the Absinthe Salon in Surry Hills,” said Cr Moore in her weekly newsletter. “This small bar is what I had in mind when I worked with the small bar campaign to reform the Liquor Act-intimate spaces that provided an alternative to the large beer barns, where the company and conversation can be enjoyed.”

Cr Moore has been particularly pleased by the high level of interest in new laneway businesses and small bars, particularly given the current economic climate. Since the July 2008 legislative changes which made running a small bar feasible, the City has approved over 20 small bars across the Local Government Area.

Sydney’s quick uptake of small bars is ahead of other Australian cities over the initial period following reform of liquor licensing laws. In Melbourne in the mid 1980s there were eight applications state-wide in the first 12 months, while in Perth only three opened in the first 12 months following changes in 2007.

In 2009 the City hosted free seminars on opening small bars. Around 350 potential small bar owners heard presentations from the Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing, existing small bar operators, City Planning and Regulatory Services and Safe City. City staff, Police, APRA (Music Licensing), the Department of Planning, financial institutions and other specialist consultants provided advice about financing, legal and compliance issues, planning and design.

For those who are finding it difficult to open a small bar, Moore says: “I am continuing to advocate to the State government for a streamlined application process to encourage more small bars.”

Click here for more information on the small bars approval process, including Small Bar seminar audio and video presentations.