Lock-out reprieve for venues
Weekend mornings between 5am and 6am are set to become known as the gay dash hour, describing the gap between two separate lock-out restrictions in the gay entertainment district.
The Rees Government’s 2am lock-out of Arq, Exchange, Oxford, and Stonewall hotels will be limited to a three-hour period each morning starting Monday. The restrictions will continue indefinitely, including major event weekends like Mardi Gras and at New Year’s Eve.
The new regulations were approved yesterday without the need for a parliamentary vote.
The second lock-out from 6am was approved by members of the Surry Hills Liquor Licensing Accord, and will affect all clubs and bars in the Oxford St area for a three month trial period.
Last week the Accord met to discuss whether the 6am lock-out was still necessary following the announcement of the stricter restrictions by the Government.
We decided to keep going with the trial as responsible businesses. We committed to it, so we’ll see it through, Accord chairman and Stonewall Hotel licensee Craig Bell said this week.
The reprieve from the previously suggested eight-hour continuous lock-out will allow gay dayclub Phoenix Rising to continue operating, but now opening an hour earlier at 5.30am.
We’re encouraging people to get there before the 6am close because we’re only offering membership to patrons inside the venue between 6 and 9, Johan Khoury from Phoenix/Exchange said.
The Taylor Square Hotel will have the same additional restrictions as the four lock-out gay venues.
This comes as Surry Hills Police have ended the mobile command unit that was being trialled at Taylor Square on weekend mornings.
Police reported no major incidents on the strip over the weekend, however, a 26-year-old man was shot at a Belvoir St unit on Friday evening and taken to St Vincent’s Hospital for surgery. An 81-year-old man was later arrested.
Have your say: Is a three-hour lock-out a reasonable compromise? Tell us at www.starobserver.com.au
Oh dear, the “right” to drink alcohol non-stop is being curtailed. Cry me a river! While you’re drinking your last 10 schooners at 1.55am think about this: gay people who walk home totalled are more vulnerable to being bashed or killed – because they are unaware of their surroundings. Straights who get blind (especially young, gay-hating males) are more likely to assault gays than when they’re sober. For gay people, when it comes to alcohol use it is a lose-lose situation. Unless you enjoy being belted senseless by someone senseless (in which case go for it). Personally, I’d rather be sober and live.
Don’t get distracted by our own ‘red herrings’. Lockouts on half of the gay venues in sydney is more than a concern, it could be the end of ‘gaylife’ in Oxford Street. The statistics used to apply these lock-outs on these venues were also including violence outside the venues, where the police had liaised with these venues for co-operation in reporting ALL incidents occurring in AND OUTSIDE the venues…hmmmm, curiosity is running in my veins. It is interesting that while we thought we may have been assisting in the ‘clean up of Oxford St’, we could be the targets, spotlighted without correct stats and formal consultation. Maybe we gay persons, with our egos and all, are being slightly naive as the transperancy of this operation is not clear to us. CLEAN UP OF OXFORD ST or GAY FREE IN OXFORD ST…the latter could become a reality if we keep on allowing ourselves to be distracted by our own political and personal opinions on how others ‘should act’ when partying. Do not feed the wolf that will bite you in the end (through what ‘they’ like to call natural instinct but what I call ‘hate & discust’ at any of our practises, not just drinking) This could be just the beginning of a possible major distraction to clean us out not just clean up Oxford St…sound a bit like Kings Cross and the clean up that has turned a once vibrant, cultural area into a sterile walkway…wow, I know was only in my mid 20s when coming out in Sydney but where is The Chevron and The Rex or even Les Girls??? Here we go again, losing more…hmmm, all in the name of ‘law’.
Great attitude there Briggi. That’s like me blaming the gay community for the spread of AIDS….
5 am has always been slut rush hour, what’s new?
Briggi quite unfair indeeed..we as gay and lesbians have be known to cause trouble too especially a lot of lesbians out there trying to be big and butch out there. Enjoy this weekend as much as you can because this is not starting until this Monday 1st December. I would be very suprised that they will start this with Arq for tonight and saturday night as well with the other venues as its not the 1st December as of yet. If you dont like it well tough luck and drink at home where its more cheaper and safer..it will definitly stop our hospitals from over crowding each weekend with silly idiots out there that can not handle there alcohol and whatever else they are taking and then our hospitals will be able to help the real sick people out there that need the care and looking after.
Well said Melissa. Violence has become such a commonplace in todays society. There is also Domestic violence in Gay Relationships dont forget! Gay and Straight are just sexual preferences. Humans need to start respecting one another in the most pure and simple form. Thanks.
No Fair Briggi,
I am straight and have never glassed anyone, or had a fight inside outside pubs/ clubs. No Fair classing us all as haters, I am always the first to stand up for equal rights and saying no to hate crimes, and so is my straight husband. We will continue to frequent oxford street and you straight haters should not blame us. You are just as much of a redneck as these gaybashers for hating us all and putting the blame on us. Just as you want equal rights and fairness, safety , and respect in the community, so do we, The violent are a minority that has to be weeded out.
Great – Now the chances of getting beaten up by straight people on Oxford st are higher – I hate straight people this is all THERE fualt we dont go around glassing people/fighting in clubs.
As I said earlier. For those people who cant even handle One drink, just stay at home. Please!!!!